The Tallinn derby (Estonian: Tallinna derbi) is the name given to a football rivalry between FC Flora and FCI Levadia, two clubs based in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. First contested in 1999, the fixture is considered to be the fiercest rivalry in Estonian football, with Flora and Levadia being the two biggest and most successful football clubs in the country.
Although Levadia was originally founded in Maardu, the club moved to Tallinn in 2000 and officially affiliated themselves with the capital city in 2004. Since 2019, the two clubs share their home ground A. Le Coq Arena. During winter and early spring months, the matches take place at Sportland Arena, as natural grass grounds are not playable during the period due to the region's harsh winter climate.
In the past, language and nationality were also one of the separating factors between the two clubs, as Levadia was seen as the club of choice for the Russian-speaking population of the city and Flora for the Estonian-speaking. While Flora has remained to represent Estonian nationalism and only plays with Estonian players, Levadia is no longer affiliated with Russian-speaking culture and is more of an international club, often relying on international players on the pitch.[1] Thus, the cultural divide between the two clubs has diminished significantly.
The history of the two clubs dates back to the 1990s, when Estonia had restored its independence (1991) after half a century long occupation under the Soviet Union, and began rebuilding its society. A rebuild also took place in Estonian football, where the nation had previously isolated themselves from the sport for 14 years.[note 1][2][3] FC Flora was founded in 1990 by Aivar Pohlak with the aim to restore and develop Estonian football and its culture through playing with native Estonian players, and soon the club established itself as the dominant force in the country. In October 1998, local Ukrainian steel industry businessman Viktor Levada founded FC Levadia in Tallinn's majority Russian-speaking suburb Maardu, and the club quickly earned promotion to the top division. Contrary to Flora, Levadia began playing with mostly local Russian players, laying the groundwork for a cultural rivalry between the clubs.[4]
Despite being the league newcomers, Levadia were considered as one of the main title contenders against the reigning champions Flora already before the start of the 1999 season.[5] The first match between the two teams took place on 28 April 1999 in Maardu, when hosts Levadia drew 1–1 with Flora in the Estonian Cup semi-final first leg.[6] Their first meeting in Meistriliiga took place less than a month later, on 22 May 1999, when Levadia held the reigning champions Flora to a 0–0 draw.[7] The season commenced with Levadia winning the treble. In 2000, Levadia moved to Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn and officially affiliated themselves with the capital city in 2004.
In addition to the sporting rivalry, language and nationality also became one of the separating factors between the two clubs in the early 2000s.[8] While Flora was seen as a club that represented Estonian nationalism, Levadia's creation coincided with the dissolution of FC Lantana, a club previously supported by Tallinn's Russian minority, resulting in Levadia becoming the club of choice for the Russian speaking population of the city.[4] Since 2010s, that cultural divide between the two clubs has diminished significantly.
As of 2024, the majority of the Tallinn derby league matches have been played at A. Le Coq Arena (over 40 matches).[11] The two clubs also share Sportland Arena, the artificial turf stadium used during winter, which has hosted around 20 league derby matches. In addition to the two regular stadiums, 29 derby matches have been held at Kadriorg Stadium, five at Maarjamäe Stadium, three at Maarjamäe Stadium's artificial turf, two at Maardu linnastaadion, one at Männiku Stadium's artificial turf and one at Viimsi Stadium.[11]
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