PÄRNU, Estonia (Interstat) — Eric Levit scored twice, including the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, and Tulevik held on to beat Parnu JK Vaprus U21 3-2 on Saturday in a match that featured five goals and several shifts in momentum. The visitors recovered from an early deficit, took a first-half lead and then answered after the home side equalized after the break. Tulevik’s late resistance secured the win.

Parnu JK Vaprus U21 started quickly and took the lead in the third minute when Simon Smirnov scored. Tulevik responded in the seventh minute as Levit found the net, pulling the visitors level early. Tulevik’s equalizer came from Levit’s first goal of the afternoon, and it changed the pace of the match. Parnu JK Vaprus U21 continued to look for openings, but Tulevik kept the home side from building a sustained attack. The first half remained tight until Jako Lindepuu put Tulevik ahead in first-half stoppage time, scoring in the 45+1st minute and sending Tulevik into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

Parnu JK Vaprus U21 came out strong after halftime and equalized in the 49th minute through T. Pikk E., making the score 2-2 and restoring hope for the home side. Tulevik answered quickly. Levit scored again in the 53rd minute, completing his brace and putting Tulevik back in front. From there, Tulevik protected the lead and limited Parnu JK Vaprus U21’s chances over the closing minutes. The final stretch required Tulevik to defend with discipline as Parnu JK Vaprus U21 pushed for a second equalizer. Pikk’s finish gave Parnu JK Vaprus U21 a brief lift, but Tulevik’s response came almost immediately. The visitors’ third goal forced the home side to chase the game again in the final half-hour.

Levit’s two-goal effort led Tulevik. Lindepuu added one goal for the visitors. Smirnov and Pikk each scored once for Parnu JK Vaprus U21. Levit, Lindepuu, Smirnov and Pikk were listed among the key performers, with each playing 90 minutes. Levit recorded two goals, Lindepuu one, Smirnov one and Pikk one. Levit’s second goal proved to be the difference in a match that remained close until the final whistle. The four key contributors shaped the scoring throughout the contest, with Levit’s brace standing out because it included the winning goal.

Tulevik improved to 2-0-0 in the competition and 2-0-0 across all competitions. Parnu JK Vaprus U21 moved to 1-1-1 in the competition and 1-1-1 across all competitions. Tulevik’s previous competition result this season was a 2-1 win at Legion. Parnu JK Vaprus U21 had beaten Tabasalu 2-1 at home and drawn 1-1 at Tallinna Kalev U21 in its prior competition matches. Those results gave both teams recent form to build on before the match.

The result gave Tulevik its second win in as many competition matches this season. Parnu JK Vaprus U21 remained at one win, one loss and one draw in the competition and across all competitions. Eric Levit was the top star for Tulevik after his two-goal performance. Tulevik’s record now stands at two wins and no losses in both the competition and across all competitions, while Parnu JK Vaprus U21 has one win, one loss and one draw in each. The match was decided by Tulevik’s response after Parnu JK Vaprus U21 challenged in a back-and-forth contest that included an early home lead, a first-half turnaround and a second-half equalizer. Tulevik’s ability to regain the lead soon after Pikk’s goal proved decisive.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Parnu JK Vaprus U21 2, Tulevik 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Tulevik with a 55.2 percent probability to win. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 4.5.