2024 in Estonian football explained

Country:Estonia
Division1:Meistriliiga
Champions1:Tallinna FCI Levadia
Division2:Esiliiga
Champions2:Harju JK Laagri
Division3:Esiliiga B
Champions3:Tartu JK Tammeka U21
Division4:Beach football
Champions4:SK Augur Enemat/Coolbet
Division5:Futsal
Champions5:Sillamäe FC NPM Silmet
Domestic:Tipneri karikas
Dchampions:Tallinna FCI Levadia
Supercup:Supercup
Schampions:Tallinna FC Flora
Wdivision1:Meistriliiga
Wchampions1:Tallinna FC Flora
Wdivision2:Esiliiga
Wchampions2:Nõmme Kalju FC
Wdivision3:Futsal
Wchampions3:
Wdomestic:Estonian Cup
Wdchampions:Tallinna FC Flora
Wsupercup:Supercup
Wschampions:Tallinna FC Flora
Season:2024
Prevseason:2023
Nextseason:2025
Flagicon:yes

This page summarizes everything related to Estonian football in the year 2024. It contains information about different league systems, national teams, futsal, beach football and most important transfers.

National teams

Times are EET/EEST, as listed by UEFA.

Association football

Men

Senior

In 2024, Estonian football experienced a year of significant transitions and notable events. The Estonia men's national football team participated in the Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs for the second time, where they were defeated by Poland with a score of 5-1. Long-time head coach Thomas Häberli resigned after three years and 39 matches, marking the end of his tenure, and was succeeded by former assistant coach Jürgen Henn. Häberli and record international player Konstantin Vassiljev both played their last game in the match against Switzerland. Vassiljev retired from national team duty, capping off a distinguished career, which saw him play 158 matches and score 26 goals over 18 years. In Jürgen Henn's initial matches as head coach, Estonia achieved a narrow victory in the Baltic Cup, triumphing over Lithuania in a penalty shootout. The year concluded with another Nations League campaign, where Estonia earned four points from six matches, both coming in their encounters against Azerbaijan. This marked a significant milestone, as for the first time, Estonia avoided finishing last in a C-League season, demonstrating progress in their competitive performance on the European stage.

In addition to the managerial and player changes, 2024 also saw the debut of eight new players for the Estonian national team. These newcomers included Kristo Hussar, Nikita Mihhailov, Andreas Vaher, Kevor Palumets, Ramol Sillamaa, Robert Veering, and Oskar Hõim. Moreover, nine players scored their first goals for the team: Palumets (in his debut), Martin Vetkal, Alex Matthias Tamm (who scored two), Edgar Tur, Danil Kuraksin, Mark Anders Lepik, Ioan Yakovlev, Vlasiy Sinyavskiy and Rocco Robert Shein. These developments marked a new phase for Estonian football as the team adjusted to the leadership of Jürgen Henn and prepared for future competitions.

U17

Women

U17

Futsal

Men

U19

Beach

Men

Senior

League system

Association football

Men

See main article: 2024 Meistriliiga.

Relegation play-off:|}

See main article: 2024 Esiliiga.

Relegation play-off:|}

See main article: 2024 Esiliiga B.

Relegation play-off:|}|}

The season starts on 23 March and ends on 27 October. The teams in both regions compete in a home-and-away system: all teams face each other twice, accumulating a total of 26 league matches over the course of the season. Reserve teams, which do not have "U21" or "U19" in their name, are ineligible for promotion.[1]

North / East

The 2024 II liiga North/East (N/E) division saw significant changes from the previous season. Despite winning the division in 2023, Maardu Linnameeskond was not promoted to Esiliiga B due to non-compliance with league requirements. Consequently, Jõhvi FC Phoenix and JK Noova, who finished as runners-up, secured promotion instead. On the other end of the table, Valga FC Warrior and Kohtla-Järve JK Järve were relegated after finishing last. The departure of these three teams opened up spots for new entrants: Põhja-Tallinna JK Puuma (who joined forces with JK Volta after winning the III liiga West in 2023), Sillamäe FC NPM Silmet (finishing 5th in III liiga East but winning their promotion play-offs), and FC Elva II (returning to II liiga after a fourth-place finish in the 2023 III liiga South).[2] Notably, before the season began, Maardu strengthened their squad by signing two players who had competed in the Meistriliiga the previous year: 31-year-old Aleksandr Kulinitš and 28-year-old Vladimir Avilov.[3]

The season saw Maardu Linnameeskond clinch the title for the second consecutive year, showcasing even greater dominance by remaining undefeated with only three draws. Newcomers Põhja-Tallinna JK Puuma made an impressive debut, finishing in second place and securing a spot in the promotion playoffs after an astonishing tally of 132 goals in 26 matches. At the bottom of the table, Ararat and Ajax were relegated. Remarkably, a comparison between last season’s top 10 and this year's reveals that seven teams maintained their positions. Tartu JK Welco II and FC Tallinn U21 swapped places (Welco moved from 6th to 7th, and FC Tallinn from 7th to 6th), while Puuma replaced Jõhvi FC Phoenix in the rankings. Additionally, former Estonian national team player Albert Prosa, playing for Puuma, set a new II liiga North/East record by finishing as the league's top scorer with 40 goals.

South / West

The 2024 II liiga South/West (S/W) division experienced several notable changes from the previous season. Despite clinching the top spot in 2023, Harju JK Laagri U21 was not promoted to Esiliiga B. Meanwhile, the bottom two teams, FC Kose and Pärnu JK Poseidon, were relegated. Additionally, Pärnu JK Tervis, which finished 7th, did not rejoin the Estonian league system in 2024. To fill the vacant spots, three clubs were promoted from III liiga: Tallinna FC Zapoos (champions of the 2023 III liiga North), Paide Linnameeskond III (champions of the 2023 III liiga East), and Tabasalu Ulasabat C.F. (2nd place in III liiga West and winners of the promotion playoffs). Notably, Paide III returns to the division, where they were dominant champions from 2018 to 2022.[2]

The season saw FC Nõmme United U21 emerge as champions, finishing seven points clear of the second-placed Pärnu JK Vaprus U21. At the other end of the table, JK Tabasalu U21 and Saue JK were relegated after finishing in the bottom two. The third from last place went to Raplamaa JK, who managed to be ahead of Saue by only head-to-head games. On the individual front, Oliver Karlson of Tallinna FC Zapoos claimed the top scorer title, netting 23 goals to lead the scoring charts.

Post-season games:
The II Liiga relegation play-outs were not held in 2024 due to a lack of clubs interested in promotion from the lower divisions. Similarly, the championship match between the winners of the league's two groups was canceled after FC Nõmme United U21 was forced to forfeit due to an insufficient number of available players.[4] [5]

Champion's match:

Women

Relegation tournament:

Naiste Teine liiga

Futsal

Men

Coolbet saaliliiga

Main phase:

Play-offs:

Relegation play-off:|}

Saalijalgpalli Esiliiga

Beach

Men

Läänemere rannajalgpalliliiga

In 2024, nine beach soccer clubs will compete for the Baltic Sea League ("Läänemere liiga") title, with four of the teams hailing from Estonia and one team each from Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, and Sweden.. The league comprises three stages: the first stage was held on July 13-14 in Pärnu at Düün Beach, the second stage will take place in Germany from July 28-29, and the final stage will be hosted in Pärnu from August 23-24.

Cup competitions

Association football

Men

Tipneri karikavõistlused

Home teams listed on top of bracket. (AET): At Extra Time, (PL): Premium liiga, (EL): Esiliiga, (ELB): Esiliiga B

Small Cup

Home teams listed on top of bracket. (II): II liiga, (III): III liiga, (RL): Rahvaliiga

Women

Home teams listed on top of bracket. (AET): At Extra Time, (PL): Premium liiga, (ELB): Esiliiga B

Futsal

Men

Home teams listed on top of bracket. (AET): At Extra Time, (CS): Coolbet Saaliliiga, (EL): Saalijalgpalli Esiliiga

Beach

Men

European competitions

Association football

Men

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Women

Futsal

Men

Beach

Men

County competition

The Estonian county competition is an annual competition, where all Estonian countys and the capital Tallinn play each other once a year. In 2024, only teams that did not play a match last year, will compete.

Notable transfers

Players are listed in an alphabetical order. Players with an "*" behind their name have changed teams inside and outside of Meistriliiga. Player's last team is listed as "free agent" if he has not represented a team in the previous six months. Player's next team is listed as "free agent" if he has not found a new club within the following six months.

Inside Meistriliiga

Listed are players, who have joined or left a club participating in the 2024 Meistriliiga. The player must have represented the Estonian national team at least once. The list may also contain more known players, who have either changed their club inside the lower leagues or retired from football.

Outside Meistriliiga

Listed are all Estonian footballers, who have joined or left a foreign team.

Foreign players

Listed are all foreign players that have joined or left a team participating in the 2024 Meistriliiga.

Managerial changes

Listed are all clubs, who play in the top divisions (Meistriliiga, Esiliiga, Esiliiga B), and national teams who changed managers after the end of the 2024 season.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meeste Teises liigas on võistlustules kuus uut meeskonda . Estonian . 25 February 2024 . 22 February 2024 . jalgpall.ee.
  2. Web site: Meeste Teises liigas on võistlustules kuus uut meeskonda . 9 November 2024 . 22 February 2024 . jalgpall.ee . et.
  3. Web site: Ametlik: Volkov liitus FC Tallinnaga . 9 November 2024 . 1 March 2024 . soccernet.ee . et.
  4. Web site: Meeste II liiga võitjaks krooniti Maardu Linnameeskond . 9 November 2024 . 28 October 2024 . jalgpall.ee . Estonian Football Association . et.
  5. Web site: Miks loobus Nõmme United U21 Teise liiga finaalist? . 9 November 2024 . 29 October 2024 . soccernet.ee . et.
  6. Web site: Antonov lahkus poolte kokkuleppel Rumeenia esiliigaklubist . Estonian . 10 March 2024 . 30 January 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  7. Web site: Rumeenia kannatuste rada viis Antonovi Kuveiti Vaštšuki juurde: nõustusin sekundiga! . Estonian . 14 November 2024 . 1 July 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  8. Web site: Karl Hein joins Real Valladolid on loan . English . 13 November 2024 . 13 August 2024 . Arsenal FC.
  9. Web site: Karl Hein, un nuevo guardián para el Pucela . 13 August 2024 . Real Valladolid . 13 November 2024 . es.
  10. Web site: Матвей Иго̀нен е футболист на Ботев . Bulgarian . 10 March 2024 . 27 January 2024 . botevplovdiv.bg.
  11. Web site: OLIVER JÜRGENS HRÁČOM DAC-U . Slovak . 10 March 2024 . 30 January 2024 . fcdac.sk.
  12. Web site: Oliver Jürgens se incorpora a la SD Ponferradina . Spanish . 14 November 2024 . 20 August 2024 . sdponferradina.com.
  13. Web site: Ametlik: Premium liiga parim väravakütt leidis uue koduklubi Itaaliast . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 8 February 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  14. Web site: MÄRTEN KUUSK NOWYM PIŁKARZEM GIEKSY . Polish . 10 March 2024 . 15 January 2024 . gkskatowice.eu.
  15. Web site: BOHEMIAN FC CONFIRMS SIGNINGS OF ESTONIAN INTERNATIONALS MARTIN MILLER AND MICHAEL LILANDER . English . 10 March 2024 . 27 January 2024 . bohemianfc.com.
  16. Web site: Kevor Palumets Belgiasta lainalle Klubiin . Finnish . 14 November 2024 . 3 July 2024 . hjk.fi.
  17. Web site: Markus Poom loan extension . English . 10 March 2024 . 6 January 2024 . shamrockrovers.ie.
  18. Web site: ESTONIAN INTERNATIONAL STRIKER STEN REINKORT SIGNS ON MULTI-YEAR DEAL . English . 10 March 2024 . 9 January 2024 . bohemianfc.com.
  19. Web site: Esimene välisseiklus sai läbi: Lilander ja Reinkort lahkusid Bohemiansist . et . 14 November 2024 . 21 June 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  20. Web site: Ametlik: Sten Reinkort siirdus Soome koondislase jälgedes Türki! . et . 14 November 2024 . 9 July 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  21. Web site: Käidil tekkis soojendusel tervisemure, Reinkort lahkus Türgi klubist . et . 14 November 2024 . 1 September 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  22. Web site: CLB TP.HCM ra mắt ngôi sao tuyển quốc gia châu Âu . Vietnamese . 14 November 2024 . 3 September 2024 . Bongda24h.
  23. Web site: Aleksandr Shapovalov joins PAOK B . English . 10 March 2024 . 16 January 2024 . paokfc.gr.
  24. Web site: Ametlik: Šapovalov jätkab karjääri 100-aastases Kreeka klubis . Estonian . 14 November 2024 . 7 September 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  25. Web site: 19-vuotias Andreas Vaher HJK:n takalinjoille . Finnish. 10 March 2024 . 24 January 2024 . hjk.fi.
  26. Web site: Levadia poolkaitsja siirdub Slovakkiasse, kus teda ootab ees tuttav treener . Estonian . 14 November 2024 . 7 July 2024 . fcilevadia.ee.
  27. Web site: Põnev! Eesti koondise poolkaitsja liikus Kuveidi kõrgliigasse . Estonian. 10 March 2024 . 30 January 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  28. Web site: Välkommen till BP, Martin Vetkal . Swedish . 14 November 2024 . 20 August 2024 . bpfotboll.se.
  29. Web site: Tervetuloa Vihreään, Sten Viidas! . Finnish . 16 March 2024 . 27 February 2024 . kpv.fi.
  30. Web site: Nõmme United täiendas ridu slovakist keskväljamehega . Estonian . 16 July 2024 . 8 July 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  31. Web site: Reginald on tagasi Kaljus! . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 23 February 2024 . jkkalju.ee.
  32. Web site: FCI Levadiaga liitus Felipe Felicio endine klubikaaslane . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . fcilevadia.ee.
  33. Web site: FCI Levadiaga liitub Girona U19 meeskonna kapten . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 2 July 2024 . fcilevadia.ee.
  34. Web site: Pommuudis! FC Flora ja FCI Levadia endine keskväljaboss liitus Transiga . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 30 December 2023 . soccernet.ee.
  35. Web site: МОЛЛО БЕССАЛА – ПЕРШИЙ ЛЕГІОНЕР ЛНЗ . Ukrainian . 16 March 2024 . 26 January 2024 . fc-lnz.com.
  36. Web site: Mullu Tammekaga liitunud keskkaitsja siirdus Rumeenia esiliigasse . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 18 June 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  37. Web site: Ametlik: Trans mehitas tagalat grusiiniga, kes tahab saada liiga parimaks kaitsjaks . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 28 January 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  38. Web site: Paidega liitus kaks Gambia U20 koondise talenti . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 6 July 2024 . paidelinnameeskond.ee.
  39. Web site: Kaks uut mängijat! United sai Gambiast ja Itaaliast ründejõudu juurde . Estonian . 16 July 2024 . 8 July 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  40. Web site: Meeskonna nimekiri ja peatreeneri kommentaar . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 3 January 2024 . paidelinnameeskond.ee.
  41. Web site: Canadese striker Promise David joins Union . English . 17 July 2024 . 7 July 2024 . rusg.brussels.
  42. Web site: Paidega liitus Serbia kaitsja Milan Delevic . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 3 July 2024 . paidelinnameeskond.ee.
  43. Web site: Ametlik: Trans tõi keskkaitsesse noore kanadalase . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 24 February 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  44. Web site: Linnameeskonnaga liitus Kameruni ründaja . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 2 February 2024 . paidelinnameeskond.ee.
  45. Web site: Tammeka hankis kahe välismaalase näol jõudu juurde . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 1 March 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  46. Web site: Kaljus kaks hooaega veetnud välismängija jättis klubiga hüvasti . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 22 November 2023 . soccernet.ee.
  47. Web site: Põnev! Kaljuga liitus kord Mainoo ja Garnacho tulekuid takistanud Prantsusmaa keskkaitsja . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 17 July 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  48. Web site: Levadia täiendas ründeliini 24-aastase nigeerlasega . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 15 February 2024 . fcilevadia.ee.
  49. Web site: Mechini Gomis naaseb Paide Linnameeskonda . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 17 July 2024 . paidelinnameeskond.ee.
  50. Web site: Tere tulemast, Mouhamed Gueye! . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 13 July 2024 . paidelinnameeskond.ee.
  51. Web site: Noor jaapanlasest poolkaitsja liitus Kaljuga . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 28 February 2024 . jkkalju.ee.
  52. Web site: Američan Zyen Jones druhou zimnou posilou FC Košice . Slovak . 16 March 2024 . 19 January 2024 . fckosice.sk.
  53. Web site: Nõmme United laenas Slovakkia kõrgliigaklubilt 20-aastase keskkaitsja . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 15 February 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  54. Web site: Mannone siirdus Kaljust Luksemburgi kõrgliigasse . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 11 June 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  55. Web site: 26-aastane ääreründaja lahkus Levadiast . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 29 November 2023 . fcilevadia.ee.
  56. Web site: Ukraina kaitsja liitus Kaljuga . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 24 February 2024 . jkkalju.ee.
  57. Web site: Paide liitus keskpoolkaitsja Predrag Medic . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 12 January 2024 . paidelinnameeskond.ee.
  58. Web site: Paidest lahkus teinegi välismaalasest kaitsja . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 26 June 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  59. Web site: Esindusmeeskonnaga liitus 23-aastane poolkaitsja . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 17 February 2024 . fcilevadia.ee.
  60. Web site: Kalju laenas Liepajast poolkaitsja . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 15 July 2024 . jkkalju.ee.
  61. Web site: Ukraina ründajast sai ametlikult Nõmme Unitedi mängija . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 22 February 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  62. Web site: Kalju vahetas pea kogu senise kaardiväe noorte vastu. Andrejev: otsime mehi, kelle ümber tulevikku ehitada . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 9 January 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  63. Web site: Balzan FC is pleased to announce that they signed Belgian midfielder Olivier Rommens . English . 16 March 2024 . 15 January 2024 . balzanfc1937.com.
  64. Web site: Esimene suvine täiendus: Transiga liitus Brasiilia kaitsja . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 16 July 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  65. Web site: Kalju laenas Brasiiliast ründaja . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 1 July 2024 . jkkalju.ee.
  66. Web site: Kaks hooaega Paides mänginud Prantsusmaa poolkaitsja lahkus klubist . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 29 November 2023 . soccernet.ee.
  67. Web site: ფრანგი ნახევარმცველი დინამოში . Georgian . 16 March 2024 . 30 January 2024 . fcdinamo.ge.
  68. Web site: Ründejõud leitud! Kalev tõi meeskonda 190 sentimeetrit pika soomlase . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  69. Web site: בובאקר טאמבדו חתם במועדון לשנתיים וחצי . Hebrew . 16 March 2024 . 1 February 2024 . htafc.co.il.
  70. Web site: Trawally karjäär jätkub Türgi esiliigas . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 9 February 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  71. Web site: Kolm hooaega Kaljus mänginud keskkaitsja lahkus Eestist ja jätkab karjääri kodumaal . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 13 November 2023 . soccernet.ee.
  72. Web site: Giannis Tsivelekidis joins Athens Kallithea FC . English . 16 March 2024 . 31 December 2023 . akfc66.gr.
  73. Web site: Murad Velijev liitub laenulepingu alusel Premium liiga uustulnukaga . Estonian . 25 July 2024 . 19 February 2024 . fcilevadia.ee.
  74. Web site: Kalju laenas Itaaliast keskkaitsja . Estonian . 16 March 2024 . 29 February 2024 . jkkalju.ee.
  75. Web site: Kalju keskkaitsja lahkus laenulepingu lõppedes klubist . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 30 June 2024 . soccernet.ee.
  76. Web site: Ametlik: Paide kaitsetala siirdus Serbia kõrgliigasse . Estonian . 17 July 2024 . 26 June 2024 . soccernet.ee.