Estonian Cup ties wide open

Both Estonian Cup semi-finals are finely balanced at 1-1 after today's first-leg matches.

Maksimov makes his mark
JK Trans Narva took the lead in their home tie with FC Levadia Tallinn through Dmitri Lipartov on the half-hour mark. But 18 minutes from time 16-year-old striker Oleg Maksimov marked his debut by notching Tallinn's equaliser just moments after coming off the bench.

Similar story
It was a similar story at the Kadriorg stadium, where FC Levadia Maardu's Mark Svets scored the opener ten minutes before half-time and Andrei Krõlov replied for TVMK Tallinn from the penalty spot on the hour.

Three red cards
But the second semi-final was soured by three red cards. Midway through the first half referee Margus Kotter sent off TVMK's Anatoli Novozilov for diving and, after being subject to verbal abuse regarding a disallowed goal, then dismissed TMVK coach Vjatseslav Smirnov to the stands.

Ten men each
Both sides finished with ten men after Vladimir Tselnokov was shown the red card on 63 minutes for a dangerous tackle. The second legs of both ties take place on 21 May.