History of Estonian table hockey

In Estonian table hockey makes only its first steps. A few Estonian players have participated in several tournaments, including the World championship. Estonian Table hockey Union was founded in August 2004.

In 1989 Simon Lokko, an Estonian man living in Sweden took part of World championships in Stockholm. He finished as 31st among 42 competitors. In World ranking with Simon Lokko (best result - 50 place, in March and April 1990) were too Mihkel Thompson, who played in first European Championship in Sweden. In World ranking player Tompson have placed since May 1989 to October 1995 (best result - 92nd place in November 1991).

In 2002 and 2003 the first table hockey tournaments on Stiga were organized in Tallinn. On May 23, 2004, the unofficial Estonian championship were held at Kalinka Restaurant in Tallinn. In August same year Estonian Table hockey Union (first name Estonian Boardhockey Federation) was formed. Estonian Table hockey Union is the main organizer of all table hockey tournaments in Estonia. At the same time many Estonian table hockey players like Andrei Mestserjakov (Meschcheryakov, on photo), Artur Tammemets, Alexander Krylov, Toomas Tammemets and Jevgeni Mestserjakov played in several tournaments in Moscow and Riga and they were all added to the World and European League ranking.

In the first tournament Tallinn Cup win Jevgeni Mestserjakov, who won all tournaments in two seasons. In first official Estonian championship 2004/2005 , 38 table hockey players participated. Latvian Egils Belsevits were first international player, who is played in Estonian Championship in March 2005. Three rounds has taken place in Paldiski and Maardu. In this season medals wins Jevgeni Mestserjakov (gold), Aleksandr Krylov (silver) and Artur Tammemets (bronze).

In May 2005 Estonian National Team debut on World Championship in Riga. For Estonian played Jevgeni Mestserjakov, Andrei Mestserjakov, Artur Tammemets, Toomas Tammemets, Aleksandr Krylov, Vladislav Trofimov, Valeri Trofimov, German Geller, German Geller-junior, Dmitri Krylenkov and Igor Saveljev.

In season 2005/06 in Estonian about 50 people have took part. Igor Saveljev and Valeri Trofimov organized table hockey tournaments in Schools. There are four tablehockey clubs in Estonia at the moment, all of them in Tallinn. In December were organized Estonian Christmas Cup, where took part best players from Latvia Edgars Caics, Atis Silis and Valts Smagars. In winter 2006 were organized first Estonian Team's Championship and SK Raua have win.

In January 2006 were formed new table hockey club in Maardu and Estonian Table Hockey Union have own office in street Vaike-Paala 1, in Tallinn. One round was organized in Kohtla-Jarve. In season medals wins Jevgeni Mestserjakov (gold), Igor Saveljev (silver) and Vladislav Trofimov (bronze).

In May 2006 was organized Tallinn Cup 2006, where about 40 people from Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Denmark have took part. Winner is Kristian Iso-Tryykari from Finland.

In June Estonian National Team played on European Championship in Skalica (Slovakia). For Estonia played Igor Saveljev, Vladislav Trofimov, Valeri Trofimov, Grigori Timoschuk, Vafa Hamdamov, Jevgeni Zholobovski, Dmitri Krylenkov and Juri Burdutshenko. Vafa Hamdamov won the 4rd Division.

In season 2006/07 many Estonian table hockey players played in International tournaments in Russia, Finland and Latvia. In November Estonian Team took part of Russian Teams Championship. On Estonian Christmas Cup played masters from Latvia and Finland. In winter SK Raua won Estonian Teams Championship too second season. In season medals wins Igor Saveljev (gold), Juri Artamonov (silver) and Jevgeni Mestserjakov (bronze).

On Tallinn Cup 2007 strong Russian and Hungary players make debut. In final Edgars Caics (Latvia) won Alexander Miloradov (Russia).