Blue-clad Estonians will watch play-off in Slattery's

NO, THEY are not Polish, Latvians or Lithuanians. They do not even call themselves eastern Europeans.

Estonians may be among the lowest profile of the hundreds of thousands of emigrants who arrived in Ireland after the enlargement of the EU in 2004, but for a couple of days they will have their chance to shine.

Slattery’s on Capel Street, Dublin, will be the venue for the Estonian community in Ireland to gather for tonight’s play-off leg between Ireland and Estonia.

According to the last census there are 2,600 Estonians living in Ireland though the community itself estimates it was closer to 5,000 at the peak of the Celtic Tiger. It may be smaller than most immigrant communities, but it is not insignificant for a country with a population no bigger than greater Dublin.

Toomas Ilves, who shares his name with the Estonian president, has been in Ireland 11 years. He says they are often mistaken for eastern European nationals, though Estonians consider themselves to be northern Europeans as they have a similar language to Finland and were once part of Sweden.

Estonians worldwide are being asked to wear blue tonight. Mr Ives expects at least 50 Estonians to come to Slattery’s. He is a keen sportsman and a former Basketball Ireland coach of the year.

“I think we have a quite good chance compared to any other team we could have faced. The Irish think the Estonians are rubbish at soccer, but we have the chance to show we’re quite good.” For Moonika Tsavlotko the play-offs are a “win-win situation”. Her fiance is Irish and her children were born here. She will watch the match in her home in Finglas in the company of Estonians and Irish. “I find people asking me all the time about where Estonia is. Football is such an important game that it is good to get this kind of recognition.”