JK Tallinna Kalev 2 Pärnu JK Vaprus 1

JK Tallinna Kalev 2 Pärnu JK Vaprus 1
Eesti Meistriliiga
Saturday 21st July 2007

With their home at the Kalevi Keskstaadion out of bounds due apparently to a dangerous pitch, JK Tallinna Kalev have been forced to switch games to alternative venues but like beggars at the King’s gate, they were forced to make do with the scraps thrown at their feet, taking on their southern guests up from Pärnu on the training ground at the A. Le Coq Arenal. It seems strange to watch top flight football, no matter how small the country or low the standard, in such surrounding but this gave the game a much more intimate feel with a vociferous band of followers, clad in the colours of their heroes and committing crimes against music in the name of their team.
Both Kalev and Vaprus were once venerable names in the history of Estonian football, Kalev national Champions twice before the Second World War, Vaprus dominant in local Pärnu football. But as the Soviet yoke weighted upon the country, the clubs dissolved into other teams, only to be reformed in the wake of independence from the Russian stranglehold. Once re-established both Kalev and Vaprus have battled their way through the pyramid to the very top rung where they now stand.
An early goal gave the hosts the lead, defender Siim Kärson in the right place at the right time to make the most of a half chance but in a half of full-blooded football, tough defending ensured no more would be added before the break. More free-flowing after the break but not until the latter stages would the net bulge once more as Andrei Timofejev struck a fine volley to double the lead. Defeat now seemed a given for Pärnu but defender Rando Rand popped up in the second minute of a interminable stoppage to kick-start the supporters’ singing once more. Hope awakened once more by that score, Pärnu flung themselves into all-out attack in the final moments but an equaliser eluded them.

JK Tallinna Kalev: Janno Hermanson; Siim Kärson (Marto Kiisk 72); Aleksandr Kuslap; Aleksei Demutski; Sergei Kojakov; Priit Murumets; Anton Aristov; Vahur Vahtramäe; Andrei Timofejev; Andrei Afanasov (Dmitri Kirilov 46); Tiit Tikenberg (Rene Teino 90+3)
Substitutes not used: Griogori Ošomkov; Aleksandr Karpõtsev; Marek Kahr; Mario Mõistlik

Pärnu JK Vaprus: Veiko Põldemaa; Rando Rand; Rain Põldme; Jevgeni Novikov (Viljar Tammeleht 76); Ivan Velikopolje; Verner Uibo; Ranet Lepik; Lauri Senješ (Kajar Soosaar 46); Aleksei Galkin; Kristo Kasemets; Raido Raudnagel (Mihhail Kazak 46)
Substitutes not used: Priit Pikker; Tanel Melts; Rait Sõrmus; Martin Partsioja

Goalscoring:
1-0 JK Tallinna Kalev Siim Kärson 13th minute
2-0 JK Tallinna Kalev Andrei Timofejev 90th minute
2-1 Pärnu JK Vaprus Rando Rand 90th minute (+2)
Official Attendance: 150
Match Officials:
Referee: Sten Kaldma