Wikipedia

Paide Linnameeskond

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.

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

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 2026.[8] In winter and early spring months, Paide Linnameeskond play their home matches at the 438-seat Paide kunstmuruväljak artificial turf ground.[9]

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 [10][11]
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[12][13]

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

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

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF   EST Siim Aer (at Kuressaare until 31 December 2024)
— MF   EST Silver Alex Kelder (at Pärnu Vaprus until 31 December 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW   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   Ergo Eelmäe (14)
2005 3 22 15 0 7 60 25 +35 45   Rauno Rikberg (18)
2006 III liiga 1 22 15 4 3 100 32 +68 49   Rauno Rikberg (48)
2007 II liiga 1 26 20 1 5 108 35 +73 61   Rauno Rikberg (34) First round
2008 Esiliiga 4 36 14 12 10 58 44 +14 54   Karel Voolaid (9) Second round
2009 Meistriliiga 9 36 6 4 26 21 97 −76 22   Meelis Rooba (5) Third round
2010 8 36 6 7 23 30 79 −49 25   Mihail Ištšuk (6) Second round
2011 6 36 13 6 17 40 51 −11 45   Tiit Tikenberg (10) Second round
2012 6 36 11 9 16 34 52 −18 42   Stanislav Goldberg (7) Semi-finals
2013 5 36 15 2 19 43 58 −15 47   Andre Mägi
  Lauri Varendi (7)		 Third round
2014 6 36 9 8 19 39 67 −28 35   Rasmus Tomson (8) Fourth round
2015 7 36 9 6 21 50 73 −23 33   Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (17) Runners-up
2016 6 36 14 6 16 58 61 −3 48   Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (19) Third round
2017 6 36 10 8 18 47 88 −41 38   Magnar Vainumäe (8) Semi-finals
2018 5 36 14 9 13 64 74 −10 51   Samson Iyede (12) Third round
2019 4 36 23 5 8 78 30 +48 74   Alassana Jatta (13) Quarter-finals
2020 2 30 21 1 8 80 43 +37 64   Edrisa Lubega (14) Fourth round
2021 3 32 18 8 6 66 35 +31 62   Henri Anier (26) Fourth round Runners-up
2022 3 36 19 8 9 84 37 +47 65   Robi Saarma (16) Winners
2023 4 36 13 14 9 50 34 +16 53   Siim Luts (6) Quarter-finals Winners

Europe

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Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2020–21 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round   Žalgiris — 0–2 —
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round   Śląsk Wrocław 1–2 0–2 1–4
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round   Dinamo Tbilisi 1–2 (a.e.t.) 3–2 4–4 (6–5 p)
Second qualifying round   Ararat-Armenia 0−0 (a.e.t.) 0–0 0–0 (5–3 p)
Third qualifying round   Anderlecht 0–2 0–3 0–5
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round   B36 Tórshavn 0–2 (a.e.t.) 0–0 0–2
2024–25 UEFA Conference League First qualifying round   Bala Town 1−1 (a.e.t.) 2–1 3–2
Second qualifying round   Stjarnan 4–0 1–2 5–2
Third qualifying round   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. ^ "Paide kunstmuruväljak sai uued tribüünid". Tre Raadio - Kesk-Eesti (in Estonian). 4 June 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Paide Linnameeskond Kit History". Football Kit Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Tere tulemast, Capelli Sport!". Paide Linnameeskond (in Estonian). 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Meeskond" [Team] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Paide Linnameeskond". Estonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
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