With TrioBet Baltic League first round second leg matches kicking off tomorrow the moment of truth arrives for all the participants. In the opening fixture Estonian champion FC Levadia host Lithuania’s FK Tauras on Tuesday at Maarjamäe. Remarkably, Levadia is trailing having lost the opening leg 1:0. A point to prove for Levadia’s coach Igor Prins as the match kicks off at 14:00.

“We would like to continue in the TrioBet Baltic League also next spring and therefore we need to win the second leg match against FK Tauras,” Levadia’s assistant coach Marko Kristal stated. “Our team managed to secure the fourth consecutive Estonian league title last Saturday and this success gave a massive boost for the team moral. FK Tauras are a very strong team and they will definitely come to our Maarjamäe field with a burning desire to eliminate us from the competition but we hope that we will be able to achieve a positive outcome at our home ground in front of our loyal supporters."

Experienced Levadia midfielder Konstantin Nahk is confident: “We have had a great season both in the domestic league and the European competitions. Now we need to secure the place among the great eight of the Baltic football clubs. Fulfilling this task will not be easy but we believe in our strength and feel positive about the Tuesday´s match. I hope there will be many spectators coming to Maarjamäe despite of early kick-off time and possible weather caprices."

With two games to go FK Tauras Tauragė is fighting for the fourth spot of Lithuanian top-division but coach Jurijs Popkovs has his eye on TBL also. "I am worried because we will play on Tuesday, right after Sunday’s A lyga match. Also I was informed the game will be on an artificial grass and I do not like this, since we do not have such a pitch to train on,” said Popkovs. “However, we have a chance since we won at home, 1:0 result is usually enough to go through in such ties. On the other hand, the opponents are strong and plan to eliminate us."

Another Estonian giant FC Flora welcomes a guest from Lithuania, FK Šiauliai – at 19 the match kicks off at A. Le Coq Arena. First game in Lithuania ended 1:1.

“The first game abroad was between equal teams where we both had a chance to learn about each other and to get know about other team's capabilities,” explained Flora’s assistant coach Janno Kivisild. “Šiauliai showed that they are able to play a very disciplined defence and to build up a really effective counter attack. It is going to be a very interesting game because there are two teams with very different tactics."

“Šiauliai showed at their home game that when we are careless, they have enough skills to put our goal into danger with fast attacks,” said Flora’s defender Teet Allas. “I believe that with the support of our fans, home stadium and the strong will to win we can advance to the second round.”

Šiauliai head coach Deivis Kancelskis knows that Flora is strong at home: "Potentially Flora is the stronger team and has players from Estonian national team. Besides, they will play at home so they will be the favourites. But we will try our best."

FK Ekranas Panevežys, currently on top of the Lithuanian table, can feel secure before their home game against Latvian FK Jūrmala since they managed to beat the team from Lativan resort town 3:1. The match between Ekranas and Jūrmala kicks off at Aukštaitijos Stadium at 19 and is also Viasat Sport Baltic's TV-match and broadcasted live.

Panevežys head coach Valdas Urbonas calls for caution: „We managed a positive result away. Now we only need a secure performance at home. We must not think we are already through with this advantage. It would be a real shame if we did not go to the next round after the victory in Jūrmala.“ Jūrmala manager Vladimirs Babičevs is aware of the major task ahead of the team but has good faith in his men: “We want to achieve a positive result. Our chances to get through are not too big, but we still want to win this game.” Babičevs hopes to get some extra motivation from the fact that the match is broadcasted live on Viasat Sport Baltic. “It is like a pan-Baltic screen and we want to look on it as best as we can,” said Babičevs.

About the TrioBet Baltic League:
The TrioBet Baltic League was established in 2007 with the best four teams from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania participating according to the results of their respective domestic championships. From next season the competition will be expanded to 16 teams and kicks off in September 2009 with the final being played in the summer of 2010.

TrioBet Baltic League Press Department
press@balticleague.com