Overview of the Estonian Floorball Union and of floorball in Estonia

Estonian Floorball Union (Eesti Saalihoki Liit, ESHL) was founded on November 27th, 1993 in Tallinn by four clubs: Pärnu Vapper, Tallinn Estonians, Avinurme Avi and Mustamäe SK Aeg.  

The first president of ESHL was Andres Kull who was replaced by Ain Lillepalu in november 1995.
The general secretary of ESHL from the beginning of its history has been Tõnis Teesalu.
ESHL belongs to the Estonian Central Sports Union from 1994 and as a result of emergement between Estonian Central Sports Union and Estonian Olympic Committee it is a member of the latter from autumn 2001.
ESHL has been a full member of International Floorball Federation from 1996.

The board of the ESHL elected in june 2008 consists of six members: Ain Lillepalu, Tõnis Teesalu, Meelis Aab, Tõnu Savi, Marko Saksing and Mikko Iiskonmäki.

In the summer of 2010 the ESHL has 32 member clubs: Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli SK, SK Pro Sura, Maitimi SK, SK Aeg, Nõmme TK, Jõgeva SK Tähe, Koeru SK, Tartu Ülikooli SK, Ääsmäe Koolispordi Klubi, Viskoosa SK, Jäneda SK, Järveotsa Gümnaasiumi SK, SK Liider, SK Elite Sport, Tallinna Spordiselts Kalev, SK Terves Kehas Terve Vaim, SK Los Toros, Pärnu SHK, SK Saku Fortuna, SK Triumf, SK Sinimäe, SK Favoriit, SK Ferrata, Tamsalu EBE, Keila SHK, Järvamaa SHK , Ääsmäe Kultuuri ja Spordi SA, Eesti Maaülikooli SK, SK Augur, VK Noorus, Sparta Spordiselts and SHK Viimsi Kepp. 

Altogether the number of people playing floorball is about 4000-4500 (in the year 2008 official number of people playing floorball in clubs was 1973, including 362 women and 1069 U19 children).

The number of teams participating in the XVI Estonian Championships for men was 40 (8 best clubs formed the Premier League, 160 players; 12 other form the first division, 240 players; 20 other formed the second division, 400 players). In addition to that, 7 teams (140 players) took part in women’s championships and 43 (about 650 boys and girls) in championships for A-, B- ,C, D and E- juniors. In total, the number of players was about 1600. 

The Estonian Championships have been held 16 times, the winners so far are SK Aeg (1995, 1998), Jõgeva Tähe (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009), Bändidos (2002), TTÜ SK (2005, 2007, 2008) and Augur/A&A Kinnisvara (2010). The Estonian Cup has also been held 13 times, Jõgeva Tähe SK has won it 11 times, SK Aeg and TTÜ SK both once.
The winner of the women’s championships 2010 is SK Saku Fortuna.

The Estonian national teams have participated in next major tournaments:

the European Open Championships in Switzerland in 1995 (9th place)

the World Championships in Sweden in 1996 (11th place)

the World Championships in Chezh Republic in 1998 (10th place (2nd in division B))

the World Championships in Norway in 2000 (11th place (3rd in division B))

the U19 World Championships in Germany in 2001 (10th place)

the World Championships in Finland in 2002 (12th place (4th in division B))

the U19 World Championships in Chezh Republic in 2003 (11th place (3rd in division B))

the World Championships in Switzerland in 2004 (12th place (2nd in division B)) 

the U19 World Championships in Latvia in 2005 (11th place (3rd in division B))

the World Championships in Sweden in 2006 (11th place (1st in division B))

the Qualification in Poland to the Women´s WFC 2007 B-division

the U19 World Championships in Switzerland in 2007 (11th place (3rd in division B))

the World Championships in Czech Republic in 2008  (8th place)

the Qualification in Slovenia  to the Women's WFC 2009 B- division (2nd place) and World Championships in Sweden in 2009 (15th place (5th in division B)) 

the U19 World Championships in Finland in 2009 (9th place (1st in division B))              

Altogether the Estonian national team has won 28, lost 32 and tied 5 official games. The head coach of the team is a finn Jari-Petri Anttila.
The Estonian U19 team has won 16, lost 11 and tied 1 official games. The head coach of the U19 national team is Risto Lall. The Estonian Women's national team has won 7, lost 4 and tied 1 official games. The head coach is also Risto Lall. 

The Estonian national team played successfully in the Men's World Floorball Championships Qualification tournament in Spain (4 wins) and now will play in the final tournament against Sweden, Australia, Germany and etc. in Finland in December 2010. 


01.08.10