Tarmo Kink targets an Ireland upset as Estonia approach biggest ever game

09 November 2011 19:15
With qualification to a major tournament within touching distance for the first time in their short history, one of Estonia's more recognisable names says the Euro 2012 showdown against the Republic of Ireland is the country's biggest football occasion ever.[LNB]Middlesbrough midfielder Tarmo Kink, who worshipped Irish winger Damien Duff as a schoolboy, has set his sights on helping the outsiders from the Baltic state make their mark on European football by reaching major finals for the first time.[LNB]'These are the biggest games ever in Estonia's history so there is huge excitement at home,' Kink said as he prepared to pits his wits against his hero at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn.[LNB] Big game: Kink[LNB]'Everyone is talking about the challenge. Our national stadium only holds 10,000 people and the atmosphere will be tremendous. Just to get to the play-offs is a dream for us.[LNB]'We are like Olympic champions already, it's difficult so many people play football so just to be there will be wow, a historical moment for us.[LNB]'We have the opportunity to achieve something that will be talked about for years. We have got so close now, closer than we've ever been, and to lose it now would be terrible.' [LNB]Estonia are in buoyant mood having moved to within touching distance of Euro 2012 after twice beating Northern Ireland to squeeze past Serbia and finishing runners-up to Italy in qualifying Group C.  [LNB]However in a move that smacks of realism rather than an attempt to lure his Irish counterparts into a false sense of security, Kink is quick to play down his country's chances of making it to Poland and the Ukraine for the European Championships next summer.[LNB]'I can't say we are confident because we are the underdogs, but we are going to do everything we can to get to Euro 2012,' added Kink who has 57 international caps and five goals for his country to his credit but is struggling to get into Boro's first team under Tony Mowbray this season.[LNB]'If we do lose it won't be a big surprise, we have already achieved something almost impossible by getting to the play-offs in a group with Italy, Slovenia, Serbia all teams who were in the World Cup last time.[LNB]'But I know that our team would want to win against the highest teams. I think it would be the biggest achievement in my career, and also the country.[LNB]'For a country like us to do something in football, we know how small we are, if you can go to a European Championship it would be unbelievable.[LNB]'For me it would be like a dream come true, playing the best teams in the world, it's everything you need. Hopefully we can do it but of course we will be underdogs.[LNB]'We do not have big stars but we are a very hard-working team that never gives up. Ireland will start as big favourites but we just have to believe in ourselves and if you work hard enough anything can happen in football.' [LNB]Kink is hoping that the Estonian whole will greater than the sum of parts when the two countries go head-to-head.[LNB]'We just need to be disciplined and try to play our own game. We need to try and hold the ball up, possession will be 60-40 in their favour but that doesn't mean they are going to win,' Kink said.[LNB]'For me I think Aiden McGeady is their main player who can cause damage to us. They have decent individuals like Kevin Doyle who, although he's not playing the first leg, he's a good player. They have players like Damien Duff who is excellent. He was one of my favourite players when I was coming into the game, so I'm looking forward to that.[LNB]'They have good players we don't have the individuals but were a team and we can give them a game. They are where they are because of their individuals and we are where we are through teamwork.' [LNB]Estonia officially gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991 and whatever happens over the next few days, he is certain that the game will go from strength to strength in his homeland.[LNB]'We are only a small country and this is a big thing for football as well as the nation,' added Kink who rose to prominence in his homeland with by scoring 30 goals in nine games with Real Tallinn.[LNB]'This is a chance for football to become even stronger in Estonia. As a country we have do very well at basketball over the years but the chance to play football in a major championships such as Euro 2012 has made our sport's profile even higher.'[LNB] No regrets! Ireland No 2 Tardelli leads rallying call ahead of Estonia showdown Boost for Trapattoni as captain Keane lands for Estonia showdown Take a bow! Ten years on from Duff's memorable celebration, Ireland plot international return[LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail