Meistriliiga 2012 season preview

With temperatures in Estonia recently having hovered around the -15C mark, it seems absurd to think that the Meistriliiga 2012 season will be getting underway in a couple of weeks. The season kicks off on Saturday 10^th March with last season’s runners up JK Kalju hosting FC Levadia Tallinn in the big game of the day. Champions FC Flora Tallinn travel east to Sillamäe Kalev and newly promoted JK Tallinna Kalev welcome FC Viljandi.  These matches are preceded by the Superkarika game between Flora (as champions and Estonian Cup winners) against Narva Trans (as Estonian Cup runners up) on Tuesday 6^th March.  The first few weeks of the season are played on artificial, largely snow cleared pitches until the temperature picks up around the end of April. The early season matches tend to be scrappier affairs, which could be due to a combination of the pitches, the conditions and pure rustiness.

Flora have kept the majority of their 2011 championship winning team together with top scorer Henri Anier the major loss as he has signed a three year deal with Viking FK in Norway.  Henri’s younger brother Hannes, also a striker, will be looking to inherit the place left by his brother. Flora have also bolstered their ranks with the quadruple signing of Mait Toom (goalkeeper), Reio Laabus (midfielder), Kaarel Torop and Albert Prosa (strikers) from Tammeka Tartu. Prosa could be a real force this season after 22 goals for a struggling Tammeka last year. A slightly surprising signing was the acquisition of the soon-to-be-35 year old striker Martti Pukk from Kuressaare. Retaining the core of their squad – Karl Palatu, Siim Luts, Gert Kams, Zakaria Beglarishvili, Valeri Minkenen, Markus Jürgenson – Flora will be difficult to displace at the top of the league.

However, there is a feeling among fans that Kalju will have enough quality to take their first Meistriliiga title. They have added Italian winger Damiano Quintieri to their squad – the 21 year old was in the youth ranks at Inter and should provide some quality service for Tarmo Neemelo. They have also confirmed the signing of Estonian international defender Tikhon Šišov after a long period of training with the club while dealing with a troublesome contract dispute with FK Khazar Lankaran of Azerbaijan, for whom he signed in 2010. The former Levadia full back is an excellent addition for Kalju. Goalkeeper Vitali Teleš has returned to Tallinn with Kalju following three seasons in Finland with FF Jaro. Teleš has experience of winning the Meistriliiga title in 2005 with TVMK.  Kalju will play their home games this season at the Kadrioru Stadium, away from their home territory of Nõmme.

Kalju's new Italian wide man, Damiano Quintieri

Narva Trans have had a change of coach as Russian Sergei Prikhodko has taken over from Alexei Yagudin, though they have not been particularly active in the transfer market (yet). Last season’s record Meistriliiga goalscorer (with 46), Aleksandrs Cekulajevs, has moved on to the sunnier climes of FC Valletta in Malta following unsuccessful trials at Duisburg in Germany and Lechia Gdansk in Poland. Veteran striker Maksim Gruznov is still going strong following his 20 goals last season and, at nearly 38, can still make a vital contribution.

Levadia need to improve on last season’s fourth place, their lowest finish since their promotion to the Meistriliiga (as Levadia Maardu) in 1999. They also welcome a new coach in Marko Kristal, Estonia’s second most capped international, from Tammeka. They lacked the goals of Flora, Kalju and Trans and, as a result, dropped too many points in drawn games (ten in all). A number of Levadia’s more experienced players, such as captain Konstantin Nahk, Andrei Kalimullin, Jevgeny Novikov and Aleksandr Volodin, have stepped aside to allow their younger players to step up and develop at a higher level. Vitali Leitan does remain and they will be looking for his goals to keep Levadia in touch at the top, though it may be a season of transition in which they have to accept another fourth place finish. The signing of 26 year old striker Rimo Hunt, who scored 35 goals in the Esiliiga for Tallinna Kalev last year, will give them further attacking options. They have also signed 25 year old goalkeeper Priit Pikker from Kuressaare.

Rimo Hunt: hoping to make the step up at Levadia

Tammeka will miss their young Flora-bound players and have also lost Siim Tenno and Kaarel Kiidron to Viktoria Žižkov in Prague and another season in the lower half of the table seems likely. Former striker Kristjan Tiirik has taken the hotseat left by Marko Kristal. They have added defenders Rauno Tutk from Viljandi and Maido Pakk from Finnish side AC Kajaani to their squad.  Paide will want to build on last season’s respectable sixth place finish. Coach Meelis Rooba has done wonders with the part-timers and may well earn himself a chance at a bigger club if he continues in 2012. After a strong start in 2011, Sillamäe spent nearly the entire season in fifth place and look like they may do so again. They are now led by the experienced former Trans and Levadia coach Valeri Bondarenko.

Viljandi, Kuressaare and Tallinna Kalev could well be battling it out at the bottom, but will hope not to match FC Ajax’s unenviable record of going a whole season without a Meistriliiga win. Rimo Hunt moving to Levadia will not have aided Tallinna Kalev’s chances of staying up and Kuressaare will also miss the outgoing Pukk to Flora.  Daniil Ratnikov returns to the Meistriliiga from Cherno More in Bulgaria to play under his father, Sergei, at Kalev.

Daniil Ratnikov returns to Tallinn

While the season may well play out in a similar manner to 2011, Nõmme will hope to push Flora all the way and may just have enough to secure their first title.

Article also published at Slavic Football Union. 

Kuressaare retain their Meistriliiga status

Kuressaare 4-1 FC Infonet

Kuressaare defeated FC Infonet 4-1 yesterday in the second leg of their play-off to secure their place in the Meistriliiga next season (a 5-1 aggregate win). Kuressaare won 1-0 in Tallinn in the first leg last week following an early Andrei Borissov own goal. Kuressaare's position was strengthened when top scorer Martti Pukk headed home to make it 2-0 on aggregate just before half time. The tie was settled when Elari Valmas slotted home on the hour. Andrei Timofejev pulled one back for Infonet a minute later, but further goals from Sander Viira and Marten Pajunurm sealed the win for the islanders. 

FC Infonet finished second in the Esiliiga this season, five points off champions JK Tallinna Kalev, but will have to prepare for another season in the second tier where they will be among the favourites for promotion again.  

Euro 2012 play-off: Estonia 0-4 Ireland

Estonia 0-4 Ireland

Estonia coach Tarmo Rüütli had to admit that his side’s chances of qualifying for Euro 2012 were all but gone after the disastrous 0-4 defeat against Republic of Ireland on Friday. When asked if the tie was over, Rüütli replied ‘almost’.

The first leg of the play off was greeted with much excitement in Tallinn as 10,500 crammed into the A.Le Coq Arena for the biggest match in the twenty years since Estonia regained independence.

The game started cagily with little quality or ball retention from either side. The Irish struck first on 13 minutes as Aiden McGeady was allowed too much time to dink a cross into the area and Keith Andrews leapt highest to head home. Estonia responded well to the goal, dominating possession and territory for the next 15 minutes but with little penetration in the final third. The closest they came was via two long range efforts from Konstantin Vassiljev – one deflected just over the bar and one, that had Shay Given very worried, sailing just inches wide.

Estonia’s cause was dealt a blow by the sending off of centre back Andrei Stepanov on 34 minutes for a second yellow card. Both challenges were bookings, the second arguably a straight red. Ireland though didn’t look to have a man advantage for the rest of the half as Estonia adapted to three at the back and continued to have a lot of the ball.

A second goal was always going to seal it for Ireland and, on 66 minutes, it was provided by Jon Walters scoring his first international goal with a back post header after a looping ball from Robbie Keane. That effectively settled the result, but a goal back for Estonia would still make the second leg awkward for Ireland. However, two goals from Keane (taking him on to 53 in all) in the last 20 minutes put the result and the tie beyond doubt. The first was a tap in after Sergei Pareiko could only get a foot to Andrews’s free kick and the second from the penalty spot after Ats Purje had clipped Stephen Hunt in the box.

Estonia captain Raio Piiroja was sent off between the third and fourth goals for what looked to be a harsh second yellow card for a handball. Piiroja, Stepanov and Pareiko (after a booking for protesting the award of the penalty) all miss Tuesday night’s second leg so Estonia will be severely under strength defensively. Taavi Rähn is likely to come back into the defence, possibly with Ragnar Klavan moving from full back to centre back. Pavel Londak of FK Bodø/Glimt in Norway is likely to get the nod in goal.

The Irish were far from outstanding but showed their experience (this being their sixth play-off for a major tournament) and in the likes of Keane, McGeady and Walters had a cutting edge that Estonia would love to have.

Tomorrow night’s second leg may be something of a party for the Irish, but Estonia can learn a lot from the experience and they can take a lot from the campaign as a whole. Eesti Jalpall has press access to the game tomorrow night so you can follow my inane comments on the match at www.twitter.com/iammoribund if you’re interested. 

Meistriliiga week 36: Final day of the season

Goals from week 36

With Flora already crowned champions during the week, and with FC Ajax well relegated, the Meistriliiga season played its last matches with little to be resolved. There were a couple of surprise results, with Paide scoring two late goals to beat Kalju 2-1 at Hiiu. Juri Jevdokimov had put Kalju ahead shortly after half time but late goals from Rauno Kald and Tiit Tikenberg gave Paide probably their best result of the season. FC Ajax finished a punishing season with a 9-0 defeat against Tammeka in Tartu. That takes their goals conceded column to a magnificent 192 for the season. Albert Prosa netted four for Tammeka taking him to 22 for the season - a good campaign for the youngster that also saw him capped by the national team. 

Trans also suffered a shock defeat against Sillamäe in Narva. Aleksandrs Cekulajevs put Trans ahead early on - his 46th goal of the season in what will probably be his final game for the club. Sillamäe responded and were 2-1 up before half time through two goals from Aleksandr Nikulin. Artjom Dmitrijev added a third before Maksim Gruznov pulled one back late on. The veteran striker is nearing 300 Meistriliiga goals since his debut in 1992. It finished 3-2. 

Viljandi 2-4 Flora

Flora had to come from behind to beat Viljandi for the second time in a week. Viljandi's Karl Mööl equalised Markus Jurgenson's headed opener with a lovely curled finish after some good build up play. Erkki Junolainen put Viljandi ahead shortly after half time but parity was restored through goals from Hannes Anier, Nikolai Mašitšev and Henri Anier to give Flora a 4-2 win. Levadia won comfortably 4-0 at home to Kuressaare - Jevgeni Novikov's opener and Konstantin Nahk's free kick are worth a watch. 

And that's it for the season. Thanks for reading. I'll probably do some kind of season review shortly and you can keep an eye on the various other blogs and websites I contribute to, including:

sfunion.net 

http://inbedwithmaradona.com/

Flora crowned Meistriliiga champions: Flora 4-0 Viljandi

Gert Kams gives the thumbs up to Flora fans (pic: Hendrink Osula)

Flora Tallinn secured their ninth Meistriliiga title last night with a 4-0 victory over Viljandi at the A.Le Coq Arena. A goalless first half made for a tense atmosphere but Hannes Anier's opening goal on the hour settled the nerves. Valeri Minkenen's free kick two minutes later settled the match and further late goals from Anier (again) and Markus Jürgenson made the scoreline look emphatic. Jubilant scenes followed the final whistle as coach Martin Reim won his second title with Flora in as many seasons. 

Match highlights available at ERR Sport.  

Photo: Hendrik Osula

It has been a good title race with any of four sides capable of winning the league. Kalju's emergence and steady progress (their highest league finish) should push Flora even closer next season. Reim was delighted to retain the title: "The title is more difficult to defend that it is to win. Being favourites plays a big part." Gert Kams echoed his manager's feelings: "If you're the reigning champions, you are expected to win. It is expected Flora will win every match, but the title is still something special. Last year, expectations were lower but this season we were clear favourites."

One round of game remains this Saturday, with Flora travelling to Viljandi this time. Kalju, secure in second spot, host Paide while FC Ajax have one last chance for a win this season at Tammeka. 

Meistriliiga week 35: Ten man Flora rescue a point

Flora 1-1 Trans

Flora came from 1-0 down with ten men to secure a vital point against Trans at the A.Le Coq Arena on Saturday. This was always going to be Flora's biggest test in the run in and a game that could have diverted the title to Kalju. Flora were behind within 15 minutes as veteran striker Maksim Gruznov was set free by Sergei Leontovitš and rounded Aiko Orgla in the Flora goal to finish. Flora looked to be in deep trouble as Henri Anier was sent off for a second bookable offence on 65 minutes but they were given a lifeline when Aleksandrs Abramenko bundled into Markus Jürgenson as he broke into the penalty box. The spot kick was awarded and Valeri Minkenen converted to level the scores. The game finished 1-1. 

As expected, Kalju won comfortably against FC Ajax Lasnamäe - a 7-0 win with goals coming from Hidetoshi Wakui, Tarmo Neemelo (2), Eino Puri, Alo Bärengrub, a Šamil Mussajev own goal and wonderfully named Kouakou Fabrice Elysee Kouadio. Paide defeated Viljandi 2-0 to secure a respectable league finish of sixth and Tammeka won by the same scoreline at Kuressaare to stay seventh. Two goals from Igor Subbotin gave Levadia a 2-0 win in Sillamäe as they look likely to finish fourth. 


Flora play Viljandi at the A.Le Coq Arena tomorrow night where a win for Flora will see them retain their hold on the Meistriliiga title, their ninth success overall. 

Meistriliiga week 34: Kalju keep pressure on Flora

Kalju 3-0 Kuressaare

Kalju scored a comfortable 3-0 win over Kuressaare at Hiiu on Saturday to keep the title race alive at least for another week. Juri Jevdokimov opened the scoring just before half time with a chest and volley from the edge of the box. Tarmo Neemelo made it twenty for the season with a tap in on 49 minutes and Hidetoshi Wakui wrapped things up with a near post finish two minutes from time. Flora had to come from behind to win 2-1 at home to Paide. The visitors looked on course for an upset after Tiit Tikenberg's 54th minute goal, but goals from Henri Anier and Zakaria Beglarišvili gave Flora a nervy but vital win. 

Flora host Trans next Saturday, who have just fallen out of the title race courtesy of a 2-0 defeat at home to Levadia at the weekend. Trans though would love to have a say in where the title goes and are well capable of doing so, especially now the pressure is off. 

Tammeka 2-0 Sillamäe 

Tammeka won 2-0 at against Sillamäe in Tartu. Sillamäe had been reduced to nine men following two straight red cards for nasty challenges. Albert Prosa scored two late goals to give Tammeka the points. Viljandi thumped FC Ajax 8-0 in the other game of the day. FC Ajax will be delighted to see the Esiliiga again next season. JK Tallinn Kalev are currently sitting top of the Esiliiga with the excellently named FC Infonet in second just two points behind with two games remaining. Kalev were relegated from the Meistriliiga in 2009 after three seasons in the top flight. Infonet only formed in 2010 following the merger of two local Tallinn teams, Atletik and Bercy.