Wednesday 16 March 2011

Estonians Abroad #2: Raio Piiroja


Estonia captain and centre back Raio Piiroja will surely reach his century in the upcoming internationals. He currently sits on 99 caps and has served his country impeccably since his debut in 1998.

Piiroja, now 31, made his name in a five year spell with Flora between 1999 and 2004 in which he won two Meistriliiga titles. He made the move to Fredrikstad in Norway following a loan spell with Valerenga. He has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the Norwegian club, a spell that has included a Norwegian Cup success in 2006 and a second place finish in the Tippeligaen in 2008.

The five time Estonian Footballer of the Year (most recently in 2009) is still a major part of the international team and is a threat in opposition penalty areas as his goal in the 2009 World Cup qualifier showed. He has eight international goals and will be hoping to give Estonia a realistic chance of qualifying for their first major tournament with a win against Serbia later this month.


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