The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association (EJL). Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia.
Estonia's first match was with Finland in 1920, being a 6–0 defeat. The team participated in the 1924 Olympic Games tournament, their only participation. Estonia have never qualified for the World Cup or European Championship. The team have however qualified for the second round of Euro 2012 qualification, by finishing second in their qualifying group, before being drawn up against Ireland for a play-off tie, making 2011 the Annus mirabilis of Estonian football.
In 1940, Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union and did not regain independence (and the possibility of a national football team) until 1991. Estonia's first FIFA recognised match as an independent nation after the break-up of the Soviet Union, was against Slovenia on 3 June 1992, a 1–1 draw in the Estonian capital city of Tallinn.
The record of the most international caps by an Estonian international (157), is held by Martin Reim, who held the European record in 2009 until November of that year. The record of most goals (38) is held by Andres Oper. The national team head coach has been Tarmo Rüütli since January 2008.
Read more about Estonia National Football Team: Most Caps For Estonia, Top Estonia Goalscorers, Stadium, Kit, Supporters, Recent Results and Upcoming Fixtures, Current Squad, Managers and Performance
Famous quotes containing the words football team, national, football and/or team:
“...I’m not money hungry.... People who are rich want to be richer, but what’s the difference? You can’t take it with you. The toys get different, that’s all. The rich guys buy a football team, the poor guys buy a football. It’s all relative.”
—Martina Navratilova (b. 1956)
“I came here for one thing only, to try to help national Ireland—and if there is no such thing in existence then the sooner I pay for my illusions the better.”
—Roger Casement (1864–1916)
“Idon’t enjoy getting knocked about on a football field for other people’s amusement. I enjoy it if I’m being paid a lot for it.”
—David Storey (b. 1933)
“I doubt if men ever made a trade of heroism. In the days of Achilles, even, they delighted in big barns, and perchance in pressed hay, and he who possessed the most valuable team was the best fellow.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)