The 1996–97 Esiliiga is the sixth season of the Esiliiga, second-highest Estonian league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1992.
Main tournament Played in fall 1996.
Four best teams qualify to the Premier Division promotion play-off, other four to First Division promotion play-off.
Table
Top scorers PosNameTeamGls1Igor BratšukOlümp Maardu82Deniss JeršovFC Norma Tallinn73Nikolai ProhhorovFC Norma Tallinn5Vassili PogorelovOlümp Maardu5Juri NaloitšenkoJK Dünamo Tallinn5Svajūnas RaučkisFC Lelle5Vladimir SemjonovTallinna Jalgpallikool5
Premier Division promotion play-off Played in spring 1997.
None of the four teams were able to finish above the two teams from Premier Division, so they all remain in the First Division for the upcoming season.
Table
Top scorers PosNameTeamGls1Aleksei TitovJK Vall Tallinn82Sergei MelnikovEesti Põlevkivi Jõhvi73Svajūnas RaučkisFC Lelle6Andrei FrolovEesti Põlevkivi Jõhvi6Andrei AfanassovJK Vall Tallinn66Tarmo SaksFC Lelle5Vitali LeitanJK Vall Tallinn5
First Division promotion play-off Played in spring 1997.
JK Merkuur Tartu and JK Dokker Tallinn promoted from Second Division, while JK Tulevik Viljandi and FC Norma Tallinn were relegated.
Table
See also 1996–97 Meistriliiga 1996 in Estonian football 1997 in Estonian football
References