Sunday’s clash at Kadriorg Stadium in the 19th round of the Estonian Premium Liiga saw a rollercoaster of a match as JK Tallinna Kalev overcame a disastrous start and a 0-2 deficit to defeat Tartu Tammeka 3-2. The turning point came in the first half when Tammeka’s Tanel Lang was sent off, allowing Kalev to seize the numerical advantage and stage a memorable comeback.
Tammeka burst out of the gates, grabbing a two-goal lead within the first 10 minutes. In the 6th minute, a cross from the left was deftly flicked on by Basher to Ganiu Ogungbe, who brought the ball down with his chest and calmly slotted home from close range. Moments later, Basher got on the scoresheet himself, heading in Koskor’s cross off the underside of the bar to make it 2-0.
Tammeka nearly added a third after a defensive slip from Lepp, but Koskor’s lob sailed just over the bar. Kalev, stunned by the early blitz, tried to regroup, but chances were scarce. A promising attack was broken up by the hardworking Koskor, who tracked back impressively.
Basher continued to torment Kalev’s defense with dazzling dribbles and a near-goal in the 20th minute that was ultimately ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the 32nd minute. VAR intervened again, upgrading Lang’s yellow card to a straight red for a reckless challenge on Švedovski. Soon after, Kalev was awarded a penalty following another VAR check. Usta stepped up — his shot was tipped onto the post by the goalkeeper, but the rebound fell kindly back to him, and he made no mistake on the second attempt, cutting the deficit to 1-2.
The first half ended with Tammeka clinging to a one-goal lead but down to ten men, setting the stage for an intense second half.
Kalev came out after the break with renewed energy, and in the 48th minute, they found the equalizer. Švedovski whipped in a cross from the left, and Jürisoo met it with a precise header to bring the score to 2-2.
Despite being a man down, Tammeka continued to threaten on the counter, with Basher and Koskor remaining lively. But in the 76th minute, the comeback was complete. Right-back Hugo Palutaja fired in a stunning strike from the edge of the box, smashing the ball off the crossbar and into the net to make it 3-2 for Kalev.
Tammeka had a golden chance to level in the final minutes when Basher set up Ignatius in the middle of the box, but the midfielder blasted over from a great position. Another late corner brought a glimmer of hope, but the final effort again missed the target.
With the final whistle, Kalev celebrated not only a hard-fought win but also the end of an nine-game losing streak. The red card to Lang proved pivotal, tipping the balance in Kalev’s favor and allowing them to claw back what had seemed a lost cause.
JK Tallinna Kalev vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 3:2 (1:2)
Goals: Usta 41′, Jurisoo 48′, Palutaja 76′ | Ogungbe 6′, Basher 9′
TAL: Lepp, Palutaja, Ernits (Tsernjakov 29′), Jallow, Kollo, Smirnov, Famuditimi, Jurisoo (Sukunda 68′), Švedovski (Surogin 87′), Usta, Purje
TAM: Aland, Miil (Burov 78′), Ogungbe, Karis, Pedmanson (Ignatius 78′), Uggeri (Sepp 62′), Epton, Lang, Tanimowo (Laabus 46′), Koskor (Vaino 90+2′), Basher
Premium Liiga Matchday 19:
- 04.07.2025 – Paide Linnameeskond vs FCI Levadia – 0:3
- 05.07.2025 – JK Narva Trans vs FC Kuressaare – 3:2
- 06.07.2025 – JK Tallinna Kalev vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 3:2
- 06.07.2025 – FC Flora Tallinn vs Nomme Kalju FC – 21:30
- 25.07.2025 – Parnu JK Vaprus vs Harju JK Laagri – 19:00
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | FC Flora | 36 | 26 | 4 | 6 | 53 | 82 |
| 2 | FCI Levadia | 36 | 25 | 4 | 7 | 55 | 79 |
| 3 | Nõmme Kalju | 36 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 32 | 74 |
| 4 | Paide | 36 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 31 | 70 |
| 5 | Narva Trans | 36 | 15 | 6 | 15 | -1 | 51 |
| 6 | Pärnu Vaprus | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 49 |
| 7 | Harju JK | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | -21 | 36 |
| 8 | Tammeka Tartu | 36 | 9 | 3 | 24 | -36 | 30 |
| 9 | FC Kuressaare | 36 | 8 | 4 | 24 | -35 | 28 |
| 10 | Tallinna Kalev | 36 | 5 | 2 | 29 | -81 | 17 |
