Birthday match: 1:1 draw against FC Nõmme United

Yesterday, on October 22, FCI Levadia celebrated its 26th birthday and the securing of the championship title at their home ground together with the fans! The final score against FC Nõmme United was 1:1.

Previous matches

The Premium League season is nearing its end with each game – this time, FCI Levadia faced FC Nõmme United for the fourth and final time in the 2024 season. The previous three encounters all ended in victories for Levadia.

The first match was held at home on April 13 at Sportland Arena, where FCI Levadia defeated the visiting team 2:0. The second match took place at Männiku Stadium, with Levadia already leading 0:3 by halftime. They doubled the score and left Männiku with a 0:6 victory. In the third meeting, Levadia claimed another 3 points with a narrow 0:1 away win!

This season is FC Nõmme United’s first in the Premium League. According to club manager Mart Poom, they were unable to stay in the league due to underestimating the level of competition. FC Nõmme United will return to the First League next season.

Yesterday’s match

In yesterday’s match, following their championship win, Levadia’s head coach made several changes to the starting lineup. For example, Oliver Ani made his Premium League debut, starting in the lineup and playing all 90 minutes. Brent Lepistu also started for only the second time this season. Among those usually part of Levadia’s core squad, only team captain Rasmus Peetson, Robert Kirss, and Frank Liivak played from the first minute.

The arrival of the newly crowned Estonian champions to the field was especially remarkable! The visiting team, FC Nõmme United, formed a guard of honor as they marched onto the pitch, congratulating Levadia on their title and showing respect to the team they were about to battle.

First half

The game started slowly, but in the 4th minute, Moustapha Bah got a free shot but narrowly missed. In the 6th minute, Maksim Gussev took a solid shot from outside the box, but FC Nõmme United’s defenders successfully blocked it. United defended their goal as best as they could, and the first half ended in a 0:0 draw.

Second half

FCI Levadia wanted to show the home crowd who the new Estonian champions were and bring joy to the fans on their birthday. In the second half, they attacked the opposing goal more aggressively, and the reward came in the 66th minute when Maksimilian Skvortsov delivered a perfect ball to Mark Oliver Roosnupp in the box, who skillfully directed it into Marko Meerits’ net with his heel. The score was 1:0 to the home team.

Just two minutes later, Skvortsov, who had assisted the first goal, got the ball in the box again, but United’s defenders cleared the dangerous situation. In the 75th minute, FC Nõmme United’s striker Demidov skillfully got past Michael Schjonning-Larsen, who brought him down, and the referee awarded a penalty. Luka stepped up for United and sent the ball past Oliver Ani, making it 1:1. Although FCI Levadia had a few good chances to score from the box towards the end, they couldn’t convert. The match ended in a 1:1 draw.

Birthday festivities

Yesterday’s birthday match attracted 651 attendees! On a chilly autumn evening, the crowd enjoyed football, birthday drinks, and cake. There was also a photo booth, and we once again raffled off a trip to Egypt! At the end of the match, a group photo was taken with the audience in the birthday spirit, and everyone was sent safely home.

Our next meeting is on November 3 at A. Le Coq Arena, where the season’s final home game will be the Tallinn derby – FCI Levadia vs FC Flora. Another trip to Egypt will be raffled off at this match! All attendees will automatically be entered into the draw. Tickets are available on Piletitasku.

Photo: Katariina Peetson