SKONTO FC RIGA (Skonto Stadium)

VIRSLIGA, SKONTO FC 2-0 FK VENTSPILS, ATTENDANCE: 200

I think this trip could be filed under mad!

My trip to Estonia was booked long in advance and in the meantime a few midweek games in Latvia appeared on the radar. One of the games was a clash between the current top two teams in the Latvian Virsliga, namely Skonto FC (2nd) and FK Ventspils (1st).

I looked online and there are around 15 buses a day going from Tallinn to Riga, taking around 4.5 hours. An evening kick off could have been tight but when the kick off was brought forward to 5pm local time then it was suddenly a no-brainer in my eyes!

Departing Tallinn at 8.30am and arriving in Riga just before 1pm. This allowed a few hours to have a look round the old town. Right in the centre of Riga is the Freedom Monument, which was was paid for by the people to honour soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence.

From here it is an easy 20 minute walk up to the Skonto Stadium. The ground has a capacity of 10,000 and was opened in 2000. It is the home of the Latvian national side and Skonto FC. The ground is three sided and has a training hall in one corner of the stadium. Only one half of one side of the ground was open today as there were only around 200 supporters present. Entry was €2 but no badges or programmes were available, much to my disappointment.

Skonto FC were formed in 1991 and won the Virsliga title in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence, though they have only won it once more (in 2010) in the last 9 seasons. They have had minor successes in Europe beating Aberdeen in 1994/95 before losing to Napoli. They also held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw before losing 0-3 at Stamford Bridge in 1999.

The club has provided the core of the Latvian national side for many years including  Marians Pahars (ex-Southampton) and Igors Stepanovs (ex-Arsenal). The latest youngster off the production line is Jānis Grīnbergs who became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Latvian league, aged just 15 years and 102 days, when he scored against a penalty in a 4-0 victory over FC Daugava Daugavpils last week.

The youngster started on the bench today (and was to come on final three minutes) as the teams fought out a rather insipid first 45 minutes of football. It was actually more interesting watching the antics of Skonto coach Tamaz Pertia on the touchline as he grew more and more animated as the half wore on.

Maksims Uvarenko takes his
walk of shame after being sent off

Whatever Mr Pertia said at the interval did the trick as Skonto claimed the victory to ensure they replaced Ventspils at the top of table. Having said that it still took the aid of two penalties, both converted by Vladislavs Gutkovskis (63 & 75). 

He beat a different 'keeper on both occasions as Ventspils skipper Maksims Uvarenko, who was beaten for the first penalty, was sent off after conceding the second penalty. Uvarenko received two yellow cards in a matter of seconds, one for conceding the penalty and the second for stupidly booting the ball away whilst arguing with the referee.

Skonto had a few efforts in the remaining minutes but they were unable to really test Ventspils young replacement 'keeper Reinholds Reinis.

Two Penalties, two goalkeepers, same spot, same result!

Vladislavs Gutkovskis beats Maksims Uvarenko (left) and 

Reinholds Reinis (right) before wheeling away in celebration (below)

The Skonto H-side Ultras

you can watch match highlights by clicking here

FC LEVADIA TALLINN (Kadriorg Stadium)

MEISTRILIIGA, FC LEVADIA TALLINN 9-0 TALLINNA KALEV, ATTENDANCE: 121
 

After drinking long into the wee small hours, so wee in fact it was daylight by the time the bar was vacated, most of the drinking being done in the quite stupendous Hell Hunt, Sunday brought some respite from alcohol in the form of another game.

Levadia Tallinn's origins can be traced back to 1998 when Estonian metal manufacturers OÜ Levadia began sponsoring Esiliiga (Division 2) club, FK Olümp Maardu. The sponsorship involved the club changing it's name FC Levadia. With promotion to the Meistriliiga secured the club then merged with Tallinna Sadam to become FC Levadia Tallinn.

Levadia Tallinn won the Meistriliiga at the first attempt in 1999 and have won it 7 more times since. They are the current champions. The name will be famous to Welsh supporters as they narrowly beat Bala Town 3-2 over two-legs in a 2013 Europa League qualifying round.

Today Levadia Tallinn were playing Tallinna Kalev and it was taking place at a very famous old international ground, especially so if you are of Scottish blood.

The Kadriorg Stadium (or Kadrioru Staadion in Estonian) is Estonia's oldest ground, having been opened in 1926. The ground is an easy 20 minute walk from the old town and is located within the picturesque Kadriorg Park. It was the scene of the infamous World Cup Qualifier between Estonia and Scotland back in October 1996.

A Kadriorg floodlight!

Scotland trained at the Kadriorg the night before the game, where they found the floodlighting inadequate and protested to FIFA. After a meeting of the FIFA executive committee the kick off time was brought forward to 3pm local time. The Estonian FA were unhappy with the switch, due to potential loss of earnings from TV, sponsors etc and refused to change their plans.

Yugoslavian referee Miroslav Radoman led Scotland out onto the pitch, with the Tartan Army chanting "One team in Tallinn, There's only one team in Tallinn". Billy Dodds kicked off, skipper John Collins took a touch of the ball before the referee blew the whistle and abandoned the game. The Estonian team arrived at the stadium later in the afternoon, preparing for the original 6.45pm kick-off time. The match was later played on a neutral ground (in Monaco) and ended 0-0.

There were no such dramas today though you could question whether Kalev did turn up based on what happened this afternoon! Having said that, there were no indications of what was to happen in this game based on the first twenty minutes. Yes, the home side were well on top but couldn't find a way past the Kalev goalkeeper. On 21 minutes Egart Heintare put through his own net and that well and truly opened the floodgates.

Vladislav Ivanov (22 & 30) Andreas Raudsepp (28) and Aleksandr Kulinitš (40) ensured that Levadia went in 5-0 up at the break. The game was so one-sided it was ridiculous.

The goals continued in the second half with Ivanov completing his hat-trick on 51 minutes. In scoring his third goal he pulled a muscle and was replaced by substitute Igor Subbotin, who managed to help himself to a 15 minute hat-trick (62, 65 & 77). As much as I was willing it to happen, a tenth goal proved elusive but the result keeps Levadia hot on the tails of Flora in the race for the title.

The Levadia Tallinn Ultras

FC FLORA TALLINN (A Le Coq Arena)

MEISTRILIIGA, FC FLORA TALLINN 1-0 TARTU JK TAMMEKA, ATTENDANCE: 253

Just mere weeks after season 2013/14 ended, my season 2014/15 began with a trip to the capital of Estonia, the beautiful medieval city of Tallinn (I wholeheartedly recommend anyone to visit here). 

The Meistriliiga runs through the summer, from March to November (hence my appearance today) and is one of the worst supported leagues of all the UEFA ranked countries, with an average league attendance of just over 200.

Today was a visit to the 9,692 capacity Lilleküla Stadium, which for sponsorship purposes is known as the A le Coq Arena, A le Coq being a famous brand of Estonian lager.

The official attendance this afternoon was 253, though Flora's current seasonal average is currently around the 700 mark due to a couple of recent big attendances versus Levadia and Nõmme.

The ground is a smart, typical new build out of town ground, with cover on three sides. It is a good 40 minute walk from the Tallinn old town. Beer is available in the stadium, A Le Coq obviously, but there is nothing around the ground.

As well as being home to the Estonian national side (England will play here on 12th October 2014) it is also home to Estonia's most successful club side, Flora Tallinn.

The club were formed in 1990 and were founder members of the Meistriliiga in 1992 (the year Estonia became independent). The club have played every season in the top flight and have won the championship 9 times and the Estonian cup 6 times. Ex-Derby County goalkeeper Mart Poom is a famous ex-player, indeed he made an appearance this afternoon in a legends five-a-side game.

Two of Flora's biggest fans got married today and arrived at the ground by 

bicycle taxi and were presented on the pitch before kick off. 

They also featured on the cover of the programme (see above)

The Flora ultras celebrate Sander Post's goal

Flora hit the top of the league in midweek with a 1-0 victory over local FC Nõmme and continued today with a win over Tartu JK Tammeka by the same scoreline.

The goal came after 13 minutes when a cross from the left hand side was back-heeled into the net by Sander Post. Although Flora were playing some good football, spreading the ball around nicely, they could not find that elusive second goal to kill off a stubborn Tartu side.

In the second half the visitors did threaten but Flora just about managed to hold on to their advantage.