Paide Linnameeskond

Paide Linnameeskond
Full namePaide Linnameeskond
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
GroundPaide linnastaadion
Capacity500[1]
PresidentVeiko Veskimäe
ManagerIvan Stojković
LeagueMeistriliiga
2024Meistriliiga, 3rd of 10
Websitehttp://www.paidelinnameeskond.ee

Paide Linnameeskond, or simply Paide, is an Estonian professional football club based in Paide that competes in the Meistriliiga, the top flight of Estonian football. The club's home ground is Paide linnastaadion.

Founded in 2004, the club has played in the Meistriliiga since 2009 and has never been relegated. Paide Linnameeskond have won one Estonian Cup in 2021–22, and one Estonian Supercup in 2023.

History

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Early history (2004–2016)

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Paide Linnameeskond was founded in 2004 as a satellite club of Flora. The team entered the Western division of the IV liiga and saw four consecutive promotions from 2005 to 2008, when they were promoted to the Meistriliiga. Paide Linnameeskond finished their first season in the Estonian top flight in ninth place, but escaped relegation by defeating Warrior 2–1 on aggregate in the play-offs.[2] In July 2010, former Paide Linnameeskond player Meelis Rooba was appointed as manager and in 2013, Estonian entrepreneur Veiko Veskimäe became the club's president.

Paide reached the 2014–15 Estonian Cup final, but lost to Nõmme Kalju 0–2.[2] Rooba resigned as manager after the 2016 season and was replaced by another former player, Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko.

Professionalism, Europe and first trophies (2017–present)

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Under Zahovaiko, Paide Linnameeskond transitioned into a professional football club and established themselves as one of the top teams in the top flight, finishing 5th in 2018 and 4th in 2019, earning their first ever European place finish. Paide made their debut in Europe on 27 August 2020 against Žalgiris, losing 0–2 in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round. The club earned their first league medals in 2020 by finishing the season in 2nd place.[3] Zahovaiko left Paide after leading the club to third in the 2021 season, being replaced by former player and Estonian national team coach Karel Voolaid.[4]

Andre Frolov lifting Paide's first-ever trophy, the 2021–22 Estonian Cup

In June 2021, Paide Linnameeskond announced its formal affiliation with the Gambian football club Real de Banjul.[5] Throughout the cooperation between Paide Linnameeskond and Real de Banjul, multiple Gambian footballers have used Paide as a stepping stone, including Alassana Jatta and Muhammed Sanneh. In July 2021, Paide notably signed ex-Liverpool F.C. defender Ragnar Klavan from Serie A side Cagliari Calcio.[6]

On 21 May 2022, Paide lifted their first-ever trophy after defeating Nõmme Kalju 1–0 in the Estonian Cup final, with Siim Luts scoring the winning goal in the 109th minute.[7] The 2022–23 season saw Paide win their first European ties against FC Dinamo Tbilisi and FC Ararat-Armenia in the Europa Conference League first and second qualifying rounds, both on penalties. Paide hosted European matches at both rounds at the 1,500-capacity Pärnu Rannastaadion due to their own 500-capacity Paide linnastaadion not meeting UEFA Category 2 Stadium requirements. Their third qualifying round home debut, a 0–2 defeat to R.S.C. Anderlecht of Belgium, was played at the 14,336-capacity Lilleküla Stadium.

Paide Linnameeskond started the 2023 season by winning their first Estonian Supercup in a 3–2 victory against Flora, but after a poor start to the league season, Voolaid was sacked in May and replaced with Serbian coach Ivan Stojković. Paide reached the 2023–24 Estonian Cup final, but lost 2–4 to FCI Levadia.

Stadium

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Paide Linnameeskond's home ground is the 500-seat Paide linnastaadion. In 2021, Paide announced their plan to construct a new and modern football stadium, which the club is aiming to have ready by 2028.[8][9] In winter and early spring months, Paide Linnameeskond plays their home matches at the 542-seat Paide kunstmuruväljak artificial turf ground.[10] Paide's football complex also includes an indoor football facility named Paide Jalgpallihall, which was opened in December 2024 and cost €3.5 million.[11]

For European fixtures, Paide uses Pärnu Rannastaadion as their home ground due to Paide linnastaadion not meeting UEFA Category 2 Stadium requirements. The club has also used larger venues Kadriorg Stadium and A. Le Coq Arena as their home in their European ties.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Ref
2011–2015 Nike Verston [12][13]
2016–2017 Enemat
2018–2021 Verston
2021–2023 Exmet, Verston
2024– Capelli Sport Verston

Players

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See also: Category:Paide Linnameeskond players

Current squad

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As of 16 August 2024[14][15]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Estonia EST Mihkel Aksalu
2 DF Estonia EST Michael Lilander
4 DF Estonia EST Robin Kane
5 DF Estonia EST Gerdo Juhkam
6 MF Estonia EST Patrik Kristal
7 MF Estonia EST Herol Riiberg
8 FW Estonia EST Henrik Ojamaa
9 FW Estonia EST Kristofer Piht
10 MF Estonia EST Andre Frolov (captain)
11 FW Senegal SEN Mechini Gomis
14 FW Estonia EST Robi Saarma
15 DF Estonia EST Hindrek Ojamaa
16 MF Serbia SRB Predrag Medić
17 MF Estonia EST Dimitri Jepihhin
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW Estonia EST Siim Luts
20 FW The Gambia GAM Abdoulie Ceesay
23 DF Serbia SRB Milan Delevic
25 DF Senegal SEN Mouhamed Gueye
27 DF Estonia EST Nikita Baranov
28 MF Estonia EST Oskar Hõim
29 DF Estonia EST Joseph Saliste
30 MF The Gambia GAM Alieu Gibba
34 FW The Gambia GAM Muhammed Suso
41 MF Estonia EST Daniel Luts
56 GK Estonia EST Mattias Sapp
80 FW Ghana GHA Thomas Agyepong
99 GK The Gambia GAM Ebrima Jarju

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF Estonia EST Siim Aer (at Kuressaare until 31 December 2024)
— MF Estonia EST Silver Alex Kelder (at Pärnu Vaprus until 31 December 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW Estonia EST Sten Jakob Viidas (at KPV Kokkola until 31 December 2024)

For season transfers, see transfers summer 2024.

Reserves and academy

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Further information: Paide Linnameeskond U21

Club officials

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Honours

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Seasons and statistics

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Seasons

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Season Division Pos Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Top goalscorer Cup Supercup
2004 IV liiga 6 18 7 4 7 41 55 −14 25 Estonia Ergo Eelmäe (14)
2005 3 22 15 0 7 60 25 +35 45 Estonia Rauno Rikberg (18)
2006 III liiga 1 22 15 4 3 100 32 +68 49 Estonia Rauno Rikberg (48)
2007 II liiga 1 26 20 1 5 108 35 +73 61 Estonia Rauno Rikberg (34) First round
2008 Esiliiga 4 36 14 12 10 58 44 +14 54 Estonia Karel Voolaid (9) Second round
2009 Meistriliiga 9 36 6 4 26 21 97 −76 22 Estonia Meelis Rooba (5) Third round
2010 8 36 6 7 23 30 79 −49 25 Estonia Mihail Ištšuk (6) Second round
2011 6 36 13 6 17 40 51 −11 45 Estonia Tiit Tikenberg (10) Second round
2012 6 36 11 9 16 34 52 −18 42 Estonia Stanislav Goldberg (7) Semi-finals
2013 5 36 15 2 19 43 58 −15 47 Estonia Andre Mägi
Estonia Lauri Varendi (7)		 Third round
2014 6 36 9 8 19 39 67 −28 35 Estonia Rasmus Tomson (8) Fourth round
2015 7 36 9 6 21 50 73 −23 33 Estonia Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (17) Runners-up
2016 6 36 14 6 16 58 61 −3 48 Estonia Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (19) Third round
2017 6 36 10 8 18 47 88 −41 38 Estonia Magnar Vainumäe (8) Semi-finals
2018 5 36 14 9 13 64 74 −10 51 Nigeria Samson Iyede (12) Third round
2019 4 36 23 5 8 78 30 +48 74 The Gambia Alassana Jatta (13) Quarter-finals
2020 2 30 21 1 8 80 43 +37 64 Uganda Edrisa Lubega (14) Fourth round
2021 3 32 18 8 6 66 35 +31 62 Estonia Henri Anier (26) Fourth round Runners-up
2022 3 36 19 8 9 84 37 +47 65 Estonia Robi Saarma (16) Winners
2023 4 36 13 14 9 50 34 +16 53 Estonia Siim Luts (6) Quarter-finals Winners
2024 3 36 23 3 10 74 39 +35 72 Estonia Robi Saarma (15) Runners-up

Europe

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Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2020–21 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Lithuania Žalgiris — 0–2 —
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round Poland Śląsk Wrocław 1–2 0–2 1–4
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round Georgia (country) Dinamo Tbilisi 1–2 (a.e.t.) 3–2 4–4 (6–5 p)
Second qualifying round Armenia Ararat-Armenia 0−0 (a.e.t.) 0–0 0–0 (5–3 p)
Third qualifying round Belgium Anderlecht 0–2 0–3 0–5
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round Faroe Islands B36 Tórshavn 0–2 (a.e.t.) 0–0 0–2
2024–25 UEFA Conference League First qualifying round Wales Bala Town 1−1 (a.e.t.) 2–1 3–2
Second qualifying round Iceland Stjarnan 4–0 1–2 5–2
Third qualifying round Sweden BK Häcken 1−1 1−6 2–7
2025–26 UEFA Conference League First qualifying round

References

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  1. ^ "Paide linna staadion" (in Estonian). Eesti Spordiregister. 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Paide Linnameeskonna ajalugu" [History of Paide Linnameeskond] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Paide linnameeskond tagas hõbemedalid ja koha eurosarjas". Järva Teataja (in Estonian). 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Uus peatreener on Karel Voolaid" [Karel Voolaid is the new head coach] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Paide alustas koostööd Jatta ja Sannehi kasvatajaklubiga" [Paide starts cooperation with youth club of Jatta and Sanneh] (in Estonian). Soccernet. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Gallery: Ragnar Klavan makes return to Estonian football, joins Paide". ERR. 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Paide linnameeskond kirjutas end suurte tähtedega karikale". Järva Teataja (in Estonian). 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024.
  8. ^ "HOOAJALÕPU SUUR INTERVJUU | Veiko Veskimäe tulemustest, peatreenerivahetusest, ambitsioonidest ja suurtest plaanidest". Paide Linnameeskond (in Estonian). 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023.
  9. ^ "INTERVJUU ⟩ Paide ehitab Eesti vägevaimat jalgpallikeskust, kuigi alaliit seda ei toeta" [Paide is building the most impressive football centre in Estonia, although the FA does not support it]. Postimees. 11 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Paide kunstmuruväljak sai uued tribüünid". Tre Raadio - Kesk-Eesti (in Estonian). 4 June 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Video: Paides avati kauaoodatud jalgpalli sisehall" [Video: The long-awaited indoor football hall was opened in Paide]. tv3.ee. 15 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Paide Linnameeskond Kit History". Football Kit Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Tere tulemast, Capelli Sport!". Paide Linnameeskond (in Estonian). 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Meeskond" [Team] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Paide Linnameeskond". Estonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
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