2018 Esiliiga
{{Short description|Estonian football league season for second division}}
{{Infobox football league season
| competition = Esiliiga
| season = 2018
| winners = Maardu Linnameeskond
(2nd title)
| promoted = Maardu Linnameeskond
| relegated = Keila
Nõmme Kalju U21
| matches = 180
| total goals = 624
| league topscorer = Vitali Gussev (43 goals)
| biggest home win = Flora U21 11–0 Welco
(30 August 2018)
| biggest away win = Keila 0–9 Flora U21
(10 March 2018)
| highest scoring = Flora U21 10–1 Keila
(24 March 2018)
{{nobreak|Maardu Linnameeskond 10–1 Nõmme Kalju U21}}
(14 July 2018)
Flora U21 11–0 Welco
(30 August 2018)
| longest wins = 7 matches
Maardu Linnameeskond
| longest unbeaten = 11 matches
Flora U21
| longest winless = 16 matches
Nõmme Kalju U21
| longest losses = 11 matches
Nõmme Kalju U21
| prevseason = 2017
| nextseason = 2019
}}
The 2018 Esiliiga was the 28th season of the Esiliiga, the second-highest Estonian league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1992. The season began on 1 March 2018 and concluded on 11 November 2018. Defending champions Maardu Linnameeskond won their second Esiliiga title.
Teams
Ten teams competed in the league – the seven teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the Esiliiga B. The promoted teams were Nõmme Kalju U21 (returning to the Esiliiga after a one-year absence), Tallinna Kalev U21 and Keila (both teams playing in the Esiliiga for the first time ever). They replaced Tallinna Kalev, Kuressaare (both teams promoted to the Meistriliiga) and FCI Tallinn U21 (merged with Levadia U21).{{cite web|title=Jalgpalliliit kinnitas Esiliiga ja Esiliiga B 2018 aasta kooseisu
|language=et|date=28 November 2017|publisher=Estonian Football Association|url=http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/uudised/jalgpalliliit-kinnitas-esiliiga-ja-esiliiga-b-2018-aasta-koosseisu-n13007?siteacc=events}}
=Stadiums and locations=
{{Location map+ |Estonia |width=325 |caption=Locations of the 2018 Esiliiga teams|places=
{{Location map~ |Estonia |lat=59.4333 |long=24.7500 |position=top|label=
}}{{Location map~ |Estonia |lat=58.3833 |long=26.7166 |position=right |label=
}}{{Location map~ |Estonia |lat=59.31 |long=24.41 |position=bottom|label=
}}{{Location map~ |Estonia |lat=58.22 |long=26.42 |position=bottom |label=
}}{{Location map~ |Estonia |lat=59.35 |long=26.35 |position=bottom |label=
}}{{Location map~ |Estonia |lat=59.47 |long=25.02 |position=right|label=
}}}}
=Personnel and kits=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;"
! Team ! Manager ! Captain ! Kit manufacturer ! Shirt sponsor |
| Elva
|{{flagicon|EST}} Veiko Haan |{{flagicon|EST}} Jürgen Kuresoo |Nike |Sportland |
| FCI Levadia U21
|{{flagicon|EST}} Vladimir Vassiljev |{{flagicon|EST}} Moorits Veering |Viimsi Keevitus |
| Flora U21
|{{flagicon|EST}} Ats Sillaste |{{flagicon|EST}} Markkus Seppik |Nike |Tele2{{cite web|title=Flora sai koondisega sama sponsori|url=http://soccernet.ee/flora-sai-koondisega-sama-sponsori/|accessdate=3 October 2014|date=25 September 2014|publisher=Soccernet.ee|language=et}} |
| Keila
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Richard Barnwell |{{flagicon|EST}} Kermo Kiiler |Adidas |Hole In One |
| Maardu Linnameeskond
|{{flagicon|EST}} Andrei Borissov |{{flagicon|EST}} Ilja Zelentsov |Adidas | |
| Nõmme Kalju U21
|{{flagicon|EST}} Kristen Viikmäe |{{flagicon|EST}} Marcus Suurväli |Adidas |help.ee |
| Santos
|{{flagicon|EST}} Janar Sagim |{{flagicon|EST}} Joonas Kartsep |Adidas | |
| Tallinna Kalev U21
|{{flagicon|EST}} Daniel Meijel |{{flagicon|EST}} Andi Kivirand |Nike |Coolbet |
| Tarvas
|{{flagicon|EST}} Tarmo Rebane |{{flagicon|EST}} Kaarel Saar |Nike |Aqva Hotel & Spa |
| Welco
|{{flagicon|GER}} Yusuf Erdoğan |{{flagicon|EST}} Mikk Valtna |Nike |Liisi |
=Managerial changes=
| class="wikitable" |
| Team
!Outgoing manager !Manner of departure !Date of vacancy !Position in table !Incoming manager !Date of appointment |
|---|
| Welco
|{{flagicon|EST}} Siim Valtna |rowspan=6|Mutual consent |align=center rowspan=5|Pre-season |{{flagicon|GER}} Yusuf Erdoğan |
| Flora U21
|{{flagicon|EST}} Joel Indermitte |{{flagicon|EST}} Ats Sillaste |10 November 2017 |
| Tarvas
|{{flagicon|EST}} Urmas Kirs |{{flagicon|EST}} Tarmo Rebane |30 November 2017 |
| Nõmme Kalju U21
|{{flagicon|EST}} Erko Saviauk |31 December 2017 |{{flagicon|EST}} Valeri Bondarenko |1 January 2018 |
| Keila
|{{flagicon|EST}} Tiit Tikenberg |{{flagicon|ENG}} Richard Barnwell |6 January 2018 |
| Nõmme Kalju U21
|{{flagicon|EST}} Valeri Bondarenko |align=center|10th |{{flagicon|GER}} Frank Bernhardt |7 August 2018 |
| Nõmme Kalju U21
|{{flagicon|GER}} Frank Bernhardt |Resigned |align=center|10th |{{flagicon|EST}} Kristen Viikmäe |September 2018 |
League table
|update=complete
|source=[https://int.soccerway.com/national/estonia/esiliiga/2018/regular-season/ Soccerway] {{in lang|en}}, [http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/53/esiliiga Esiliiga] {{in lang|et}}
|team1=MAA|team2=FLO|team3=LEV|team4=ELV|team5=TAR|team6=WEL|team7=SAN|team8=KLV|team9=KEI|team10=KLJ
|result1=ML |result4=MLPO |result7=IIL |result9=ELBPO |result10=ELB
|win_MAA=29|draw_MAA= 1|loss_MAA= 6|gf_MAA=126|ga_MAA=41 |status_MAA=CP
|win_TAR=14|draw_TAR=10|loss_TAR=12|gf_TAR= 62|ga_TAR=60
|win_FLO=21|draw_FLO= 8|loss_FLO= 7|gf_FLO=115|ga_FLO=31
|win_LEV=18|draw_LEV= 7|loss_LEV=11|gf_LEV= 67|ga_LEV=56
|win_SAN=11|draw_SAN= 8|loss_SAN=17|gf_SAN= 47|ga_SAN=68 |status_SAN=R
|win_ELV=15|draw_ELV=10|loss_ELV=11|gf_ELV= 51|ga_ELV=66 |status_ELV=Q
|win_WEL=12|draw_WEL= 6|loss_WEL=18|gf_WEL= 44|ga_WEL=78
|win_KLJ= 5|draw_KLJ= 6|loss_KLJ=25|gf_KLJ= 37|ga_KLJ=89 |status_KLJ=R
|win_KLV=10|draw_KLV= 9|loss_KLV=17|gf_KLV= 37|ga_KLV=52
|win_KEI=10|draw_KEI= 5|loss_KEI=21|gf_KEI= 41|ga_KEI=88 |status_KEI=R
|name_ELV =Elva
|name_FLO =Flora U21
|name_KEI =Keila
|name_KLJ =Nõmme Kalju U21
|name_LEV =FCI Levadia U21
|name_MAA =Maardu Linnameeskond
|name_SAN =Santos
|name_KLV =Tallinna Kalev U21
|name_TAR =Tarvas
|name_WEL =Welco
|note_FLO=Reserve teams are ineligible for promotion.
|note_LEV=FLO
|note_KLV=FLO
|note_KLJ=FLO
|note_SAN=Santos withdrew from the Esiliiga and were relegated to the II liiga.{{cite web|title=Taas ärakukkumine tippjalgpallis: Santos jätkab madalamates liigades |url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/taas-arakukkumine-tippjalgpallis-santos-jatkab-madalamates-liigades|language=et|publisher=Soccernet.ee}}
|show_limit=5
|class_rules = 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.{{cite web|url=http://jalgpall.ee/league.php?b=EL&page_id=49|title=Esiliiga |publisher=Estonian Football Association |accessdate=2 February 2016 |language=Estonian}}
|res_col_header=PQR
|col_ML=green1 |text_ML=Promotion to the Meistriliiga
|col_MLPO=blue1 |text_MLPO=Qualification for promotion play-offs
|col_ELBPO=red2 |text_ELBPO= Qualification for relegation play-offs
|col_ELB=red1 |text_ELB =Relegation to Esiliiga B
|col_IIL=red1 |text_IIL =Relegation to II liiga
}}
Play-offs
=Promotion play-offs=
==First leg==
{{Football box
| date = 17 November 2018
| time = 13:00 (UTC+2)
| team1 = Elva
| score = 0–1
| report = http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/protocol/79452
| team2 = Kuressaare
| goals2 = Laht {{goal|50|p}}
| stadium = Elva linnastaadion
| location = Elva
| attendance = 235
| referee = Siim Rinken}}
==Second leg==
{{Football box
| date = 24 November 2018
| time = 13:00 (UTC+2)
| team1 = Kuressaare
| score = 1–0
| report = http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/protocol/79490
| team2 = Elva
| goals1 = Saar {{goal|61}}
| stadium = Kuressaare artificial turf
| location = Kuressaare
| attendance = 152
| referee = Kristo Tohver }}
:Kuressaare won 2–0 on aggregate and retained their place in the 2019 Meistriliiga.
=Relegation play-offs=
==First leg==
{{Football box
| date = 17 November 2018
| time = 13:00 (UTC+2)
| team1 = Järve
| score = 3–1
| report = http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/protocol/79454
| team2 = Keila
| goals1 = Saar {{goal|56}}
Ivanyushin {{goal|83|p}}
Yuri {{goal|85}}
| goals2 = Tikenberg {{goal|89|p}}
| location = Kohtla-Järve
| stadium = Kohtla-Järve Sports Centre Stadium
| attendance = 83
| referee = Toomas Nõmmiste}}
==Second leg==
{{Football box
| date = 24 November 2018
| time = 13:00 (UTC+2)
| team1 = Keila
| score = 1–0
| report = http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/protocol/79489
| team2 = Järve
| goals1 = Tikenberg {{goal|59}}
| location = Keila
| stadium = Keila Stadium's artificial turf
| attendance = 110
| referee = Martti Pukk}}
Järve won 3–2 on aggregate and were promoted to the 2019 Esiliiga.
Results
{{Col-start}}
{{Col-2}}
=First half of the season=
{{#invoke:sports results|main| matches_style = FBR
|source = [http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/53/liigad/calendar?season=2018 Estonian Football Association] {{in lang|et}}
|update =complete
|team1=ELV |team2=LEV |team3=FLO |team4=KEI |team5=MAA |team6=KLJ |team7=SAN |team8=KLV |team9=TAR |team10=WEL
|name_ELV=Elva
|name_FLO=Flora U21
|name_KEI=Keila
|name_KLJ=Nõmme Kalju U21
|name_KLV=Kalev U21
|name_LEV=FCI Levadia U21
|name_MAA=Maardu
|name_SAN=Santos
|name_TAR=Tarvas
|name_WEL=Welco
|match_ELV_FLO=2–2
|match_ELV_KEI=3–0
|match_ELV_KLJ=2–0
|match_ELV_KLV=3–1
|match_ELV_LEV=1–1
|match_ELV_MAA=1–2
|match_ELV_SAN=1–0
|match_ELV_TAR=2–3
|match_ELV_WEL=2–0
|match_FLO_ELV=5–0
|match_FLO_KEI=10–1
|match_FLO_KLJ=1–3
|match_FLO_KLV=1–0
|match_FLO_LEV=2–2
|match_FLO_MAA=2–1
|match_FLO_SAN=3–0
|match_FLO_TAR=1–1
|match_FLO_WEL=5–1
|match_KEI_ELV=0–0
|match_KEI_FLO=0–9
|match_KEI_KLJ=3–2
|match_KEI_KLV=3–2
|match_KEI_LEV=0–0
|match_KEI_MAA=1–2
|match_KEI_SAN=3–1
|match_KEI_TAR=0–2
|match_KEI_WEL=0–1
|match_KLJ_ELV=1–1
|match_KLJ_FLO=1–2
|match_KLJ_KEI=1–1
|match_KLJ_KLV=0–4
|match_KLJ_LEV=2–0
|match_KLJ_MAA=1–2
|match_KLJ_SAN=0–5
|match_KLJ_TAR=1–2
|match_KLJ_WEL=3–2
|match_KLV_ELV=0–0
|match_KLV_FLO=0–0
|match_KLV_KEI=1–0
|match_KLV_KLJ=2–0
|match_KLV_LEV=1–3
|match_KLV_MAA=0–4
|match_KLV_SAN=1–0
|match_KLV_TAR=0–0
|match_KLV_WEL=1–1
|match_LEV_ELV=2–1
|match_LEV_FLO=0–4
|match_LEV_KEI=1–3
|match_LEV_KLJ=1–1
|match_LEV_KLV=4–0
|match_LEV_MAA=0–3
|match_LEV_SAN=0–0
|match_LEV_TAR=3–0
|match_LEV_WEL=2–1
|match_MAA_ELV=8–1
|match_MAA_FLO=0–0
|match_MAA_KEI=4–0
|match_MAA_KLJ=2–0
|match_MAA_KLV=1–0
|match_MAA_LEV=3–2
|match_MAA_SAN=4–0
|match_MAA_TAR=4–1
|match_MAA_WEL=5–1
|match_SAN_ELV=0–1
|match_SAN_FLO=1–6
|match_SAN_KEI=4–1
|match_SAN_KLJ=2–2
|match_SAN_KLV=0–2
|match_SAN_LEV=2–0
|match_SAN_MAA=2–1
|match_SAN_TAR=1–1
|match_SAN_WEL=1–2
|match_TAR_ELV=5–1
|match_TAR_FLO=2–2
|match_TAR_KEI=2–3
|match_TAR_KLJ=4–2
|match_TAR_KLV=1–2
|match_TAR_LEV=1–1
|match_TAR_MAA=3–2
|match_TAR_SAN=2–1
|match_TAR_WEL=2–3
|match_WEL_ELV=1–2
|match_WEL_FLO=1–0
|match_WEL_KEI=0–0
|match_WEL_KLJ=2–0
|match_WEL_KLV=2–1
|match_WEL_LEV=1–1
|match_WEL_MAA=0–1
|match_WEL_SAN=1–5
|match_WEL_TAR=1–2
}}
{{col-2}}
=Second half of the season=
{{#invoke:sports results|main| matches_style = FBR
|source = [http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/53/liigad/calendar?season=2018 Estonian Football Association] {{in lang|et}}
|update =complete
|team1=ELV |team2=LEV |team3=FLO |team4=KEI |team5=MAA |team6=KLJ |team7=SAN |team8=KLV |team9=TAR |team10=WEL
|name_ELV=Elva
|name_FLO=Flora U21
|name_KEI=Keila
|name_KLJ=Nõmme Kalju U21
|name_KLV=Kalev U21
|name_LEV=FCI Levadia U21
|name_MAA=Maardu
|name_SAN=Santos
|name_TAR=Tarvas
|name_WEL=Welco
|match_ELV_FLO=2–1
|match_ELV_KEI=2–1
|match_ELV_KLJ=3–2
|match_ELV_KLV=1–0
|match_ELV_LEV=0–6
|match_ELV_MAA=2–5
|match_ELV_SAN=0–0
|match_ELV_TAR=4–2
|match_ELV_WEL=0–0
|match_FLO_ELV=5–0
|match_FLO_KEI=0–1
|match_FLO_KLJ=6–0
|match_FLO_KLV=5–0
|match_FLO_LEV=3–5
|match_FLO_MAA=5–0
|match_FLO_SAN=7–0
|match_FLO_TAR=4–1
|match_FLO_WEL=11–0
|match_KEI_ELV=0–2
|match_KEI_FLO=1–0
|match_KEI_KLJ=4–1
|match_KEI_KLV=2–0
|match_KEI_LEV=1–5
|match_KEI_MAA=4–6
|match_KEI_SAN=4–0
|match_KEI_TAR=1–3
|match_KEI_WEL=1–2
|match_KLJ_ELV=1–3
|match_KLJ_FLO=1–1
|match_KLJ_KEI=2–0
|match_KLJ_KLV=1–1
|match_KLJ_LEV=0–3
|match_KLJ_MAA=0–1
|match_KLJ_SAN=3–1
|match_KLJ_TAR=1–2
|match_KLJ_WEL=1–3
|match_KLV_ELV=1–1
|match_KLV_FLO=0–1
|match_KLV_KEI=4–0
|match_KLV_KLJ=1–0
|match_KLV_LEV=1–2
|match_KLV_MAA=0–3
|match_KLV_SAN=1–1
|match_KLV_TAR=1–3
|match_KLV_WEL=1–1
|match_LEV_ELV=2–1
|match_LEV_FLO=1–3
|match_LEV_KEI=1–0
|match_LEV_KLJ=3–2
|match_LEV_KLV=0–3
|match_LEV_MAA=2–7
|match_LEV_SAN=3–0
|match_LEV_TAR=2–1
|match_LEV_WEL=1–2
|match_MAA_ELV=6–1
|match_MAA_FLO=2–1
|match_MAA_KEI=9–0
|match_MAA_KLJ=10–1
|match_MAA_KLV=2–0
|match_MAA_LEV=3–4
|match_MAA_SAN=5–0
|match_MAA_TAR=4–1
|match_MAA_WEL=6–0
|match_SAN_ELV=1–1
|match_SAN_FLO=0–0
|match_SAN_KEI=2–1
|match_SAN_KLJ=4–0
|match_SAN_KLV=4–1
|match_SAN_LEV=1–0
|match_SAN_MAA=0–5
|match_SAN_TAR=2–0
|match_SAN_WEL=1–3
|match_TAR_ELV=0–0
|match_TAR_FLO=1–2
|match_TAR_KEI=1–1
|match_TAR_KLJ=2–1
|match_TAR_KLV=1–1
|match_TAR_LEV=0–1
|match_TAR_MAA=2–1
|match_TAR_SAN=2–2
|match_TAR_WEL=1–1
|match_WEL_ELV=0–4
|match_WEL_FLO=0–5
|match_WEL_KEI=3–0
|match_WEL_KLJ=3–0
|match_WEL_KLV=1–3
|match_WEL_LEV=2–3
|match_WEL_MAA=0–2
|match_WEL_SAN=1–3
|match_WEL_TAR=1–2
}}
{{Col-end}}
Season statistics
=Top scorers=
| class="wikitable"
!Rank !Player !Club | |||
| align=center|1 | {{flagicon|EST}} Vitali Gussev | Maardu Linnameeskond | align=center|43 |
| align=center|2 | {{flagicon|EST}} Ilja Zelentsov | Maardu Linnameeskond | align=center|22 |
| align=center|3 | {{flagicon|EST}} Erik Utgof | FCI Levadia U21 | align=center|20 |
| align=center|4 | {{flagicon|EST}} Nikita Brõlin | Maardu Linnameeskond | align=center|19 |
| align=center rowspan=2|5 | {{flagicon|EST}} Aleksandr Šapovalov | Flora U21 | align=center rowspan=2|16 |
| {{flagicon|EST}} Erik Sorga | Flora U21 | ||
| align=center rowspan=2|7 | {{flagicon|EST}} Jürgen Kuresoo | Elva | align=center rowspan=2|13 |
| {{flagicon|EST}} Otto-Robert Lipp | Flora U21 | ||
| align=center rowspan=5|9
|{{flagicon|EST}} Vladislav Ogorodnik | Maardu Linnameeskond | align=center rowspan=5|12 | |
| {{flagicon|EST}} Karl Rudolf Õigus | Santos | ||
| {{flagicon|EST}} Siim Rannamäe | Tarvas | ||
| {{flagicon|EST}} Vlasiy Sinyavskiy | Nõmme Kalju U21 | ||
| {{flagicon|EST}} Mikk Valtna | Welco |
Awards
=Monthly awards=
=Esiliiga Player of the Year=
Vitali Gussev was named Esiliiga Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/uudised/esiliiga-parimaks-mangija-oli-loppenud-hooaja-vitali-gussev-n14997|title=Esiliiga parimaks mängija oli lõppenud hooaja Vitali Gussev|publisher=Estonian Football Association|date=9 December 2018|language=et}}
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Esiliiga Seasons}}
{{2018 in Estonian football}}