GALLERY: Flora received a red card and Kalju won the Super Cup. Vassiljev: 'We dug a deep hole for ourselves.'
Nõmme Kalju defeated FC Flora 3:1 in the Estonian Super Cup final, with Mattias Männilaan scoring a hat trick and FC Flora finishing the match with a red card.
In a gripping Super Cup final held at the Paide Football Hall, Nõmme Kalju triumphed over the reigning champion FC Flora with a score of 3:1. Mattias Männilaan opened the scoring just 31 seconds into the match and went on to complete a hat trick, solidifying his position as a key player in Kalju's victory. The match saw an intense start, with both teams displaying high energy and determination from the first whistle.
FC Flora managed to respond to Kalju's early lead when Oscar Pihela scored from a corner in the 15th minute, but they struggled to capitalize on their momentum. Throughout the first half and into the second, Flora had moments of dominance; however, their efforts were severely hampered when Sander Tovstik was shown a red card after a foul on Daniil Sõtšugov, leaving Flora in a numerical disadvantage. This incident shifted the dynamics of the match significantly, as they had to defend against a potent Kalju side with one fewer player.
Former Premium League player Märten Pajunurm, commenting on the match, noted that the red card was a crucial turning point for Flora. With their hopes of winning the Super Cup dashed for the second time within five days, this defeat raises questions about Flora's performance heading into the new season. Meanwhile, Kalju's victory not only claims the Super Cup title but also sets a strong tone for their upcoming league campaign, highlighting their readiness to challenge for further honors in Estonian football.