Piiroja building great career
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Article summary
It would take a lot to match the year that Estonia and Fredrikstad FK defender Raio Piiroja had in 2006 - but he is ready for another challenging 12 months.
Article body
'A great year'
"It truly was a great year," said the centre-back, whose 3-2 extra-time winner against IK Start took mid-table Fredrikstad into the cup final, where he struck with two headers against Sandefjord Fotball in a 3-0 victory. "Of course the final was a terrific experience, but I am even more pleased with our stable league season. I played 90 minutes in all the games, except one, which I missed due to suspension."
'Incredible' supporters
The 27-year-old has proved enormously popular among Fredrikstad fans since joining from FC Flora in 2004 and he appreciates it. "The supporters of our club are incredible - their support and love are the main reasons why I am very happy at Fredrikstad," said Piiroja, who had trials with Rangers FC, Rosenborg BK, SC Heerenveen and Roda JC in 2002 before his first move to Norway with Vålerenga IF. "Of course I would like to test myself in England, where the game would suit my playing style, but at the moment I am not thinking about it."
Building and fishing
Following the Norwegian season, Piiroja returned home in November for an extended holiday. "Six weeks is much more than usual, but it was not a vacation in the true meaning of the word," he explained. "We were very busy at the building site of our house near Parnu, although the workers did the biggest share and I tried not to mess things up," said Piiroja, who studied both building and furniture construction at university. Not only was he able to celebrate Christmas in his new home, but he had time to go fishing and visit the local SOS Children's Village, where he has been the Goodwill Ambassador for several years.
Tough year ahead
This month he headed back to Fredrikstad for pre-season training ahead of a busy year. "We have the domestic competitions and we have also qualified for the UEFA Cup," Piiroja said. "Plus the Estonian national team will have a very important year with matches against England and Croatia coming up, as well as the home game against Russia in March. With our house virtually ready, my wife has to spend more time back in Estonia, so this will make the year even harder, but as a footballer you have to cope with pressures like this."