Thrilling Draw Between Põlva Serviti and Mistra Derby

October 6, 2025

In a dramatic Baltic Handball League encounter at Põlva, home side Põlva Serviti and visitors Mistra battled to a hard-fought 30:30 draw on Sunday afternoon. The evenly matched contest kept spectators on edge from the opening whistle to the final seconds, as both teams exchanged momentum and produced a showcase of attacking handball.

First Half: Mistra Edges Ahead

The opening minutes saw Kermo Saksing put Serviti ahead with a quick goal, but Mistra responded immediately through Karl Roosna and Arno Vare, setting the tone for a competitive half.
Mistra gradually built their lead with precise finishing from Vare, Roosna, and Kert Liinat, taking advantage of Serviti’s missed penalty opportunities. By the 20th minute, Mistra led 11–6, their structured offense causing difficulties for the Serviti defense.

A crucial turning point came when Põlva’s Kermo Saksing, who had scored four goals, received a red card in the 23rd minute following his third goal and subsequent incident. Despite being a man down, Serviti fought to narrow the gap through Carl-Eric Uibo and Hendrik Varul, with the halftime score reading 13–15 in favor of Mistra.

Second Half: Serviti’s Spirited Comeback

The second half opened with Mistra extending their advantage to 21–15, led again by Arno Vare (7 goals) and Liinat (5 goals). However, the home side refused to back down.
Galvanized by the crowd, Serviti mounted an impressive comeback in the final 15 minutes. Jurgen Rooba became the pivotal figure, converting five of his six seven-meter throws to finish with 6 goals, while Carl-Eric Uibo (5 goals) and Kristofer Liedemann (3 goals) provided crucial finishes from open play.

Trailing 25–29 entering the last five minutes, Serviti produced a dramatic finish. Goals from Rooba, Stanislav Kholodiuk, Uibo, and finally Liedemann in the last minute brought the score to 30–30, sealing an electrifying draw that left both sides applauded by the fans.

Key Performers

• Põlva Serviti:
  • Jurgen Rooba – 6 goals (5/6 from 7m), clutch performer in closing stages.
  • Carl-Eric Uibo – 5 goals, vital in attack.
  • Hendrik Varul and Kermo Saksing – 4 goals each before Saksing’s red card.
• Mistra:
  • Arno Vare – 7 goals, clinical throughout.
  • Kert Liinat – 5 goals, including key strikes in both halves.
  • Karl Roosna – 5 goals, instrumental early on.
  • Serhii Orlovskyi – 4 goals (2 from penalties), contributed on both ends.