Flora Tallinn 3-2 Pärnu Vaprus: Five-Goal Thriller at the Lilleküla Stadium

FC Flora Tallinn edged Parnu JK Vaprus 3-2 in a pulsating Estonian Premium Liiga encounter on 21 September 2026, holding off a determined second-half comeback to collect a result that keeps the capital club firmly in the title picture.

On a cool autumn evening in Tallinn, the hosts produced the sharper football for long spells, but Vaprus refused to fold and turned a comfortable-looking lead into a nervy final half-hour. In the end, a late winner settled a match that swung one way and then the other.

Match overview

Flora started with the intent of a side chasing silverware, pressing high and forcing Vaprus into hurried clearances. The breakthrough arrived inside the opening quarter of an hour, and for a while it looked as though the home side might pull away. Vaprus, however, stayed compact, waited for their moments and punished two lapses in concentration to drag themselves level twice.

The match finished 3-2, a scoreline that reflects both Flora's attacking quality and the fragility that has occasionally crept into their defensive game this season.

Key moments

• 12' – Flora take the lead: Rauno Sappinen latched onto a clever through ball and finished low past the Vaprus goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
• 27' – Vaprus respond: Artjom Dmitrijev capitalised on a loose ball at the edge of the box and lashed it into the roof of the net for a deserved equaliser.
• 43' – Flora back in front: Sappinen struck again, arriving at the back post to convert a deep cross and complete a first-half brace.
• 61' – Vaprus level once more: Rasmus Saar beat the offside trap and slotted home to make it 2-2, silencing the home support.
• 84' – The winner: Markus Poom drove forward from midfield and curled a precise effort beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to seal the points.

Tactical story

Flora's approach was built on possession and quick switches of play, with their full-backs pushing high to stretch the Vaprus back line. That width created the space for Sappinen to operate between the centre-backs, and it was no coincidence that both of his goals came from deliveries into the penalty area.

Vaprus, for their part, defended in a mid-to-low block and looked to spring forward on the counter. Their two goals came from exactly that pattern: winning the ball in transition and attacking the space behind Flora's advanced defenders. It was an effective plan for long periods, but it also left them exposed to the late surge that produced the decisive third goal.

Standout players

Rauno Sappinen was the obvious headline act, with two well-taken goals that underlined his importance to Flora's attack. Just as influential was Markus Poom, whose energy in midfield and composed finish proved the difference. In defence, Flora's goalkeeper made a sharp save late on to preserve the lead.

For Vaprus, Dmitrijev and Saar took their chances impressively, while their goalkeeper kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves in the first half.

What it means for the Estonian Premium Liiga table

Three points keep Flora Tallinn in the thick of the Estonian Premium Liiga standings, maintaining pressure on the teams around them as the season enters its decisive phase. For Parnu JK Vaprus, the performance offered encouragement even in defeat, but the result leaves them searching for consistency in the mid-table battle.

Flora will take confidence from the attacking display, though the coaching staff will want to address the defensive lapses that allowed a two-goal swing in the second half. Next up, both clubs return to league action with plenty still to play for.