The Estonian Premium Liiga continues to showcase the rise of 16-year-old talent Marten-Chris Paalberg, who added two more goals to his tally, catching up with the league’s top scorers and propelling Pärnu JK Vaprus to a 2-1 away win over Harju JK Laagri.
After stringing together three straight victories against Narva Trans, Kuressaare, and Paide Linnameeskond – climbing to seventh in the table – Harju suffered back-to-back blows. A narrow 2-3 loss to Nõmme Kalju was followed by a serious injury to star striker Karel Eerme, the league’s second-highest scorer with 13. Following surgery on a toe injury, Eerme is now expected to miss the rest of the campaign. Adding to their troubles, Daniil Rudenko was suspended for this match.
Vaprus were not without their own issues. Joonas Sild was sidelined through suspension, while forward Kevin Kauber picked up a knock in the previous round. Thankfully for the Pärnu side, Kauber’s injury turned out to be mostly superficial. Despite these challenges, Vaprus came into the fixture in superb form, sitting sixth in the table with a comfortable 17-point cushion over Harju.
The match opened at a measured pace, with Harju seeing more of the ball but struggling to break through. Vaprus earned the first corner in the 9th minute, while Harju’s best early chance came in the 21st, when Karimu set up Bergman, whose strike missed narrowly. Moments later, Kriis tested goalkeeper Nõmm, but his low effort lacked power. Vaprus responded with Piht forcing a fine save from Baturins at the other end.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute. Tristan Pajo threaded a clever pass into the box, and after a brief scramble, Paalberg pounced to smash the ball home from a tight angle. The youngster doubled his tally in the 39th minute after a defensive mix-up between Harju’s Laur and goalkeeper Baturins, slotting the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0. Harju pulled one back before halftime through Kriis, who latched onto a long ball and finished coolly into an open goal.
The second half saw Harju push forward in search of an equalizer, enjoying plenty of possession and forcing Vaprus deep. Yet the visitors defended with discipline, limiting Harju to half-chances and long-range efforts. Substitutions brought fresh legs, but despite late pressure and five minutes of added time, Vaprus held firm for a crucial victory.
With this win, Vaprus not only secured three points but also tied the club record for points in a Premium Liiga season, with six matches still to play. They remain in contention for a possible European spot via the league.
For Harju, the defeat highlighted the challenge ahead: holding onto safety without their injured talisman Eerme. They still maintain a five-point gap over ninth-placed Tartu Tammeka, but every match from here will carry extra weight.
Harju JK Laagri vs Pärnu JK Vaprus – 1:2 (1:2)
Goals: Kriis 44′ | Paalberg 27′ 39′
Premium Liiga Matchday 30:
26.09.2025 – Tartu JK Tammeka vs FC Kuressaare – 0:1
27.09.2025 – Harju JK Laagri vs Pärnu JK Vaprus – 1:2
27.09.2025 – JK Narva Trans vs Paide Linnameeskond – 17:00
28.09.2025 – Nomme Kalju FC vs FC Flora Tallinn – 14:30
28.09.2025 – FCI Levadia vs JK Tallinna Kalev – 17:00
| # | 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 |
