High-water mark for Flora
Monday, November 3, 2003
Article summary
Estonia review: FC Flora set a host of records as the Meistriliiga season ended with a bang.
Article body
Most wins
Flora's 3-1 away victory saw the Tallinn giants establish new benchmarks for the most points and most wins gained in an Estonian league campaign. In claiming their third successive title, Arno Pijpers' team were unbeaten, winning 24 and drawing four of their 28 matches. This meant they overhauled FC Levadia Maardu's previous record of wins from the 1999 and 2000 seasons as well as the latter's tally of 74 points from 2000. Flora finished with 76.
Dominance reinforced
Flora's dominance was reinforced by a record 105 goals - although FC Norma's 102 goals in a 22-match campaign in 1992/93 still represents a better goals-per-game average. Overall, Flora are now unbeaten in 35 league outings - a sequence that is still short of Levadia's 49-match unbeaten run lasting from 1999 until 2001.
French connection
Additionally, Flora's Norwegian striker Tor Henning Hamre scored 39 league goals - an Estonian seasonal record, surpassing Andrei Krõlov and Maksim Gruznov's previous best of 37. Against TVMK, Hamre unusually failed to register, despite several excellent chances. He will now try and prove himself in France, as he is set to travel to Lille OSC for a trial next week. Flora right-back Teet Allas is also due for a Ligue 1 trial with FC Nantes Atlantique.
Kuressaare set unwanted records
At the other end of the table, the only amateur team in the Meistriliiga - FC Kuressaare - created several records of a less glorious nature. By losing their final game 8-0 against JK Trans Narva, they took their total of goals conceded to 121 - seven worse than their own previous benchmark of 2001.
Promotion/relegation doubt
Kuressaare also equalled their record number of seasonal defeats by losing 25 of their 28 matches as they were relegated. Next term they will be replaced by FC Lootus-Kohtla Järve, who return to the top flight after a one-year absence.
Levadia Tallin doubt
FC Valga and JK Tervis Pärnu are expected to contest the promotion/relegation play-off, although this is still not confirmed due to FC Levadia Tallinn's possible refusal to continue in the First Division next year.
