Estonia recognises football heroes
Friday, March 11, 2005
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Monthly review: Some famous names in Estonia have been honoured as the new season began with a number of shocks.
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By Margus Luik
The 2005 Estonian season began with an opening ceremony on 1 March before champions FC Levadia Tallinn took on JK Trans Narva the following day, recording a 4-0 away win. At the ceremony, the Estonian Football Association (EJL) awarded several orders of merit, including to 91-year-old former international Ralf Veidemann.
Thirties debut
Veidemann is one of the last surviving pre-war internationals. Remarkably, he made his debut in June 1937 against Lithuania and three months later took part in the first ever Estonian FIFA World Cup victory, a 1-0 defeat of Finland. After 13 caps and three goals, Veidemann left Estonia in 1944 and has lived in Sweden ever since. Veidemann was deeply moved to receive the EJL's silver order of merit, saying: "I did not dream of receiving this honour, but I am very happy the EJL is recognising older players."
Gold medals
Golden orders of merit went to legendary former national team coaches Roman Ubakivi and Teitur Thordarson. Among those receiving silver were several players with more than a century of international caps - Marko Kristal, Martin Reim, Indrek Zelinski and Mart Poom - as well as other ex-national coaches, Uno Piir, Tarmo Rüütli and Arno Pijpers.
Early upsets
The first full round of the Meistriliiga on 6 March produced some surprise results with Levadia losing 3-1 in their second trip to Trans in five days - the inaugural match having been brought forward from later in the season. The champions, who lost just once in 28 games last term, were undone by two goals from Oleg Gorjatšov - on loan from Levadia.
Flora held
Meanwhile, seven-time champions FC Flora were held to a goalless draw at home by JK Merkuur Tartu. However, promoted JK Tammeka Tartu stole the headlines, demolishing fellow new boys JK Dünamo Tallinn 9-0.
Tulevik toil
Elsewhere, JK Tulevik Viljandi struggled at home to semi-professional side FC Kuressaare. Markko Kudu's solitary goal separated the teams in a 1-0 Tulevik win. Kudu moved from fourth-tier FC Olympic Tallinn, having scored 99 goals in five seasons, finishing as top scorer in the last three years. It was nonetheless a remarkable top-flight debut for the prolific lower league marksman.
