First team begins Winter Tournament against Nõmme United

FCI Levadia’s first team played its first match of 2026 on Sunday at the EJL Football Hall, facing Nõmme United, who were promoted from Esiliiga to the Premium League. Levadia had to settle for a 2–4 defeat.

The match started in a very lively manner for Levadia, as Nõmme United were forced to pick the ball out of their net already in the opening minutes. Enock Otoo scored with a wonderful long-range effort to make it 1–0. Levadia continued to play fast, combination-based football, and it paid off again in the 15th minute when Bubacarr Tambedou fired a powerful shot from distance to double the lead (2–0).

Levadia maintained strong pressure on the opposition goal, and in the 22nd minute Joseph Saliste, the club’s only new signing so far, was brought down inside the penalty area. Former Nõmme United academy player Mark Oliver Roosnupp stepped up to take the penalty, but the effort was saved by the United goalkeeper. Despite several more good chances, Levadia went into halftime with a 2–0 advantage.

FCI Levadia starting XI (1st half):
Vallner (GK), Sunday, Tammik, Roosnupp, Peetson (C), Tambedou, Liivak, Sambe, Skvortsov, Otoo, Saliste.

As is typical in friendly matches, many substitutions were made in the second half to give playing time to all players. Unfortunately, several young Levadia academy players who came on were unable to keep the game under control, and Nõmme United increased their pressure. The visitors scored four unanswered goals during the final 45 minutes, resulting in a 2–4 defeat for FCI Levadia.

FCI Levadia lineup (2nd half):
Ruus (GK), Sažin, Liiv, Zahovaiko, Jumankin, Ainsalu, Pavlovitš, Wendell, Zakarliuka, Lehtmets, Maciel.

The first friendly of the year provided a good overview of the team’s current condition and, most importantly, valuable playing minutes for our players. The start has been made — and as the saying goes, this is a good foundation to build on.

FCI Levadia’s next friendly match will take place next Saturday, when we face Pärnu JK Vaprus in the second round of the Winter Tournament. The match at the EJL Football Hall kicks off at 12:00 and will be broadcast live by Soccernet.ee.

Photo: FCI Levadia