In the Season’s Last Home Game, We Showed Why We’re Estonian Champions! 4:2 Win Over FC Flora.

Yesterday, November 3, FCI Levadia hosted FC Flora for the last time this season, with a big Tallinn derby marking our final home game of the season! The match was fittingly intense, and FCI Levadia proved why the title rightfully came home!

In his pre-game comments, Aiko Orgla mentioned that Flora had managed to dent Levadia’s title hopes twice this season and aimed for a third. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and Levadia can be proud of its title. This season, FCI Levadia and FC Flora have each won two of their four clashes, but Levadia leads in goal difference.

First Half

The first half was largely influenced by the playing conditions. Similar to the game against Narva, the field was already waterlogged at the start, with mud patches visible across the field. Despite the less-than-ideal pitch, the game was further interrupted by fans setting off pyrotechnics, causing a smoke cover that blocked visibility. The referee paused the game for seven minutes.

Action on the field only started toward the end of the first half. In the sixth minute of extra time, Richie Musaba managed to open the scoring. Just moments before, Ioan Yakovlev had directed a shot at Flora’s goal, which Grünvald saved on the edge of the box, giving Musaba a perfect opportunity to capitalize – 1:0!

But that wasn’t all. Although it would have been favorable to head into halftime with a 1:0 lead, Flora responded, with Daniil Kuraksin equalizing in the final minute of the first half’s added time – halftime score: 1:1.

Second Half

The second half began much as the first ended. In the 49th minute, Levadia scored again. Henri Järvelaid’s corner kick reached Brent Lepistu, who headed it into the net – 2:1! This was Lepistu’s first goal of the season!

As in all derbies, Flora searched for chances to respond. However, Oliver Ani managed to deflect their shot, preventing Flora from scoring. In the 65th minute, we took control of the game as Järvelaid, already with an assist, scored a goal himself – 3:1!

Flora made several substitutions, including former captain Konstantin Vassiljev, which visibly energized their play. In the 75th minute, Flora’s shot landed in Levadia’s net, but VAR detected a handball, and the goal was disallowed. However, Flora managed to score in the 84th minute, with Mihhail Kolobov making it 3:2.

A win would have been significant for Flora yesterday, and they pushed hard for an equalizer, but to no avail. In the 89th minute, Levadia regained possession, and all of Flora’s hopes ended there. Mihkel Ainsalu assisted Moustapha Bah, who scored – 4:2! Four minutes of extra time were added, ending precisely on the whistle. Levadia’s win was secure, and Flora must now accept that they no longer control their fate in the top three.

Henri Järvelaid, who scored his third goal of the season for Levadia after a long injury break, was named the game’s best player. Yesterday, we once again demonstrated champion-caliber play, beating our greatest rival in the history of the Premium League!

Next, we face Paide on their artificial turf for the season’s final game against Paide Linnameeskond! The championship title is secured, but we’ll raise the trophy only on November 9 in Paide. Come cheer on the champions!

Photo: Liisi Troska / jalgpall.ee