2021 Meistriliiga

The 2021 Meistriliiga (known as A. Le Coq Premium Liiga for sponsorship reasons[1]) was the 31st season of the Meistriliiga, the top Estonian league for association football clubs. The season was scheduled to begin on 5 March 2021, but was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic until 13 March and concluded on 5 December.[2][3]

Meistriliiga
Season2021
Dates13 March – 5 December 2021
ChampionsFCI Levadia (10th title)
RelegatedTulevik
Champions LeagueFCI Levadia
Europa Conference LeagueFlora
Matches played156
Goals scored518 (3.32 per match)
Top goalscorerHenri Anier
(26 goals)
Biggest home winFlora 9–0 Tammeka
(27 October 2021)
Biggest away winVaprus 1–7 Nõmme Kalju
(19 May 2021)
Highest scoringFlora 9–0 Tammeka
(27 October 2021)
Longest winning run9 matches
FCI Levadia
Flora
Longest unbeaten run16 matches
Flora
Longest winless run12 matches
Tammeka
Longest losing run9 matches
Vaprus
← 2020
2022 →
All statistics correct as of 5 December 2021.

Flora were the defending champions. The title was decided in the last round match between Flora and FCI Levadia. FCI Levadia drew the game, holding on to their one point lead over Flora and winning their 10th Meistriliiga title, their first since 2014.

Teams

Ten teams were competing in the league, nine clubs from the 2020 season and 2020 Esiliiga champions Vaprus who had earned a promotion after a two-year absence. Vaprus were to be relegated at the end of the 2021 season after finishing in the bottom of the table, however 8th Tulevik chose voluntary relegation to due financial difficulties.[4] Tammeka retained their Meistriliiga spot after winning a relegation playoff against Esiliiga runners-up Tallinna Kalev.[5]

Venues
Locations of the 2021 Meistriliiga teams
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Flora Tallinn A. Le Coq Arena 14,336[6]
Kuressaare Kuressaare Kuressaare linnastaadion 1,000[7]
TJK Legion Tallinn Kadrioru staadion 4,750[8]
FCI Levadia Tallinn A. Le Coq Arena 14,336[6]
Narva Trans Narva Narva Kreenholm Stadium 1,065[9]
Nõmme Kalju Tallinn Kadrioru staadion 4,750[8]
Paide Linnameeskond Paide Paide linnastaadion 1,000[10]
Tammeka Tartu Tartu Tamme Stadium 1,500[11]
Tulevik Viljandi Viljandi linnastaadion 1,084[12]
Vaprus Pärnu Pärnu Rannastaadion 1,501[13]

Personnel and kits
Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Flora Jürgen Henn Konstantin Vassiljev Nike Optibet[14]
Kuressaare Roman Kozhukhovskyi Sander Seeman Nike
TJK Legion Denis Belov Pavel Londak Uhlsport
FCI Levadia Vladimir Vassiljev
Marko Savić		 Brent Lepistu Adidas Viimsi Keevitus
Narva Trans Igor Pyvin Elysée Nike Sportland
Nõmme Kalju Sergei Frantsev Aleksandr Kulinitš Adidas Rämmar[15]
Paide Linnameeskond Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko Andre Frolov Nike Verston
Tammeka Dmitrijs Kalašņikovs Karl Johan Pechter Nike Metec
Tulevik Sander Post Kaimar Saag Joma Fenix[16]
Vaprus Taavi Midenbritt Magnus Villota Nike Coolbet

Managerial changes
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Tulevik Sander Post Resigned 6 December 2020[17] Pre-season Jaanus Reitel 6 December 2020[17]
Nõmme Kalju Marko Kristal Resigned 7 December 2020[18] Sergei Frantsev 7 December 2020[18]
Narva Trans Oleg Kurotškin End of contract 6 December 2020[19] Igor Pyvin 3 January 2021[19]
Tammeka Kaido Koppel Sacked 1 September 2021[20] 10th Dmitrijs Kalašņikovs 1 September 2021[20]
Tulevik Jaanus Reitel Mutual consent 20 September 2021[21] 8th Sander Post 20 September 2021[21]

Format changes

Due to delayed season opening and many postponed matches, the season was shortened. Instead of the regular format of each team playing each of the other teams four times, the league table will be split after the third playthrough (27th match) into two sections of top 6 and bottom 4, with each team playing each other in that section.[22]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 FCI Levadia (C) 32 25 3 4 84 38 +46 78 Qualification for the Champions League preliminary round
2 Flora 32 23 8 1 90 23 +67 77 Qualification for the Europa Conference League first qualifying round
3 Paide Linnameeskond 32 18 8 6 66 35 +31 62
4 Nõmme Kalju 32 13 6 13 57 44 +13 45
5 TJK Legion 32 11 7 14 49 48 +1 40
6 Narva Trans 32 9 6 17 36 61 −25 33
7 Kuressaare 30 10 4 16 39 47 −8 34
8 Tulevik (R) 30 9 3 18 39 62 −23 30 Relegation to the Esiliiga[lower-alpha 1]
9 Tammeka (O) 30 7 4 19 34 72 −38 25 Qualification for the Relegation play-offs
10 Vaprus 30 5 3 22 24 88 −64 18
Source: Estonian Football Association (in Estonian), UEFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Less matches awarded against; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Matches won; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Away goals scored; 9) Fairplay ranking.[23]
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. On 22 December 2021 Tulevik announced voluntary relegation due to financial difficulties.

Relegation play-offs

At season's end Tammeka, the ninth place club, participated in a two-legged play-off with the runners-up (of independent teams) of the 2021 Esiliiga, for the spot in 2022 Meistriliiga.

27 November 2021 Tallinna Kalev 0–0 Tammeka Tallinn
16:00 (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Kalevi Keskstaadioni kunstmuruväljak
Referee: Joonas Jaanovits
4 December 2021 Tammeka 3–0Tallinna KalevTartu
16:00 (UTC+2) Koskor 33'
Veelma 34'
Uljanov 87'		 Report Stadium: Tartu Sepa jalgpallikeskuse kunstmuruväljak
Referee: Juri Frischer
Tammeka won 3–0 on aggregate and retained their Meistriliiga spot for the 2022 season.

Results

A total of four rounds will be played. In the first three rounds teams play each other three times. In the fourth round the league was split into 2 groups – top 6, and bottom 4, where they play each team in their group one more time.

Rounds 1–18

Teams play each other twice, once at home and once away.

Home \ Away FLO KUR LEG LEV NAR NÕM PAI TAM TUL VAP
Flora 2–2 2–1 0–0 5–0 1–0 3–3 9–0 3–0 2–0
Kuressaare 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 2–3 2–1
TJK Legion 1–2 1–0 2–3 0–0 0–1 1–1 3–1 2–1 7–1
FCI Levadia 2–4 3–0 4–3 3–2 4–1 0–4 2–1 4–1 5–0
Narva Trans 0–2 2–0 0–0 1–4 1–2 0–1 2–1 6–2 1–1
Nõmme Kalju 1–2 0–3 3–1 0–1 0–1 0–0 4–1 5–1 0–1
Paide 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–2 5–1 2–1 1–1 0–1 2–1
Tammeka 0–3 0–1 0–1 1–2 3–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–2
Tulevik 3–3 1–2 1–0 0–4 0–1 1–3 0–1 5–3 3–1
Vaprus 0–4 2–1 1–4 0–4 2–1 1–7 1–3 1–2 AWD[lower-alpha 1]
Source: Estonian Football Association (in Estonian)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. Win awarded to Vaprus due to Tulevik fielding a unregistered player. The original match had ended in a 0–1 defeat.

Rounds 19–27

Teams play each other once, either home or away.

Home \ Away FLO KUR LEG LEV NAR NÕM PAI TAM TUL VAP
Flora 5–1 5–2 2–0 3–0
Kuressaare 1–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–0 6–0
TJK Legion 1–2 1–2 3–1 2–1
FCI Levadia 1–5 3–0 3–0 2–1 4–0 5–0
Narva Trans 2–2 0–3 0–1 3–0
Nõmme Kalju 2–2 1–1 3–2 3–1
Paide 1–1 4–1 0–3 4–0 3–1
Tammeka 0–2 2–1 0–3 2–5
Tulevik 2–2 3–2 4–1 1–0
Vaprus 0–6 1–4 1–1 1–2
Source: Estonian Football Association (in Estonian)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top six rounds 28–32

Teams play each other once, either home or away.

Home \ Away FLO LEG LEV NAR NÕM PAI
Flora 2–2 3–0
TJK Legion 0–2 0–2 2–2
FCI Levadia 2–2 1–0
Narva Trans 0–2 0–2 0–0 1–5
Nõmme Kalju 0–1 1–2
Paide 4–0 5–3
Updated to match(es) played on 4 December 2021. Source: Estonian Football Association (in Estonian)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Bottom four rounds 28–30

Teams play each other once, either home or away.

Home \ Away KUR TAM TUL VAP
Kuressaare
Tammeka 1–0 2–0 2–3
Tulevik 0–2
Vaprus 0–4 1–2
Source: Estonian Football Association (in Estonian)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Statistics

Top goalscorers
Rank Player Club Goals[24]
1 Henri AnierPaide Linnameeskond26
2 Zakaria BeglarishviliFCI Levadia24
3 Rauno SappinenFlora23
4 Robert KirssFCI Levadia17
5 Sergei ZenjovFlora14
6 Kaimar SaagTulevik12
7 Tristan KoskorTammeka11
Mattias MännilaanKuressaare
Aleksandr ŠapovalovTJK Legion
10 Aleksandr ZakarlyukaNarva Trans10

Hat-tricks
PlayerForAgainstResultDate
Zakaria BeglarishviliFCI LevadiaTulevik4–0 (A)4 April 2021
Eduard GolovljovNarva TransTulevik6–2 (H)11 April 2021
Aleksandr Zakarlyuka
Henri AnierPaide LinnameeskondVaprus3–1 (A)25 April 2021
Aleksandr ŠapovalovTJK LegionVaprus7–1 (A)11 May 2021
Henri AnierPaide LinnameeskondTammeka5–2 (A)19 September 2021
Rauno Sappinen4FloraNarva Trans5–2 (H)22 September 2021
Sergei ZenjovFloraTammeka9–0 (H)27 October 2021
Henri AnierPaide LinnameeskondLegion4–0 (H)30 October 2021
Otto-Robert LippKuressaareVaprus4–0 (A)6 November 2021

Notes
4Player scored four goals
(H) – Home team
(A) – Away team

Awards

Monthly awards
Month Manager of the Month Player of the Month
ManagerClubPlayerClub
March/April[25] Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko Paide Linnameeskond Henri Anier Paide Linnameeskond
May[26] Jürgen Henn Flora Zakaria Beglarishvili FCI Levadia
June/July[27] Marko Savić
Vladimir Vassiljev		 FCI Levadia Robert Kirss
August[28] Joseph Saliste Paide Linnameeskond
September[29] Roman Kozhukhovsky Kuressaare Rauno Alliku Flora
October[30] Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko Paide Linnameeskond Ken Kallaste Flora
November[31] Jürgen Henn Flora Zakaria Beglarishvili FCI Levadia

References
  1. "Kodune tippjalgpall saab peatoetaja" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  2. "Premium liiga". EFA. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  3. "Premium liiga algus lükkub jälle edasi". soccernet.ee. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  4. Kangur, Kristjan Jaak (22 December 2021). "POMM: Viljandi Tulevik loobub Premium liiga kohast". Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  5. "Kuressaare võitis ka teise väravaterohke üleminekumängu". Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  6. "A. Le Coq Arena" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  7. "Kuressaare Linnastaadion". spordiregister.ee (in Estonian).
  8. "Kadrioru staadion" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association.
  9. "Narva Kreenholmi staadion" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association.
  10. "Paide linna staadion" (in Estonian). Eesti Spordiregister.
  11. "Tartu Tamme staadion" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association.
  12. "Viljandi linnastaadion" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association.
  13. "Pärnu Rannastaadion" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association.
  14. "FC Flora esindusmeeskonna uus peasponsor on Optibet". FC Flora. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  15. "Nõmme Kalju alustas koostööd bändiga 5MIINUST" (in Estonian). ERR. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  16. "Viljandi Tuleviku uus peasponsor on FenixBet". Viljandi JK Tulevik. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  17. "Viljandi Tulevik leidis Sander Posti asemele uue peatreeneri, kel kogemust nii Hollandist, Soomest kui ka Aafrikast". soccernet.ee. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  18. "Frantsev naaseb Kalju peatreeneri kohale". Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  19. "Trans sai uue peatreeneri". Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  20. Voolaid, Rasmus (1 September 2021). "Kindel! Tammeka lõpetas Koppeliga lepingu, appi tuleb Läti saripäästja". Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  21. Ilves, Kris (20 September 2021). "Ametlik: Tulevik lõpetas Reiteliga lepingu". Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  22. Elissaar, Kasper (27 August 2021). "Mis saab Premium liiga hooajast? Pohlak kinnitas, et tabel lüüakse pooleks". Soccernet.ee - Jalgpall luubi all!. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  23. "Eesti 2021.a meistrivõistluste Premium ja Esiliigade juhend" (PDF). jalgpall.ee (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  24. "Premium liiga Väravalööjate edetabel". soccernet.ee.
  25. "Premium liiga kuu parimad tulevad Paidest" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 30 April 2021.
  26. "Premium liiga kuu parimad tulevad Levadiast ja Florast" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 4 June 2021.
  27. "Premium liiga kuu parimate auhinnad läksid FCI Levadiasse" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 10 August 2021.
  28. "Premium liiga kuu parimate auhinnad lähevad Paidele ja Levadiale" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 15 September 2021.
  29. "Premium liiga kuu parimad tulevad Florast ja Kuressaarest" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 2 October 2021.
  30. "Premium liiga kuu parimad tulevad Paidest ja Florast" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 5 November 2021.
  31. "Samasugune valik nagu pool aastat tagasi: selgusid Premium liiga novembrikuu parimad" (in Estonian). soccernet.ee. 1 December 2021.
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