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Estonia defender goes from the barracks to Euro qualifying and back

Estonia v England - EURO 2016 Qualifier

TALLINN, ESTONIA - OCTOBER 12: Artur Pikk of Estonia and Wayne Rooney of England compete for the ball during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between Estonia and England at A. Le Coq Arena on October 12, 2014 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The FA via Getty Images

And England’s Raheem Sterling thought he was tired.

Estonia left back Artur Pikk made the switch from one uniform to another on Sunday, leaving his mandatory national military service to suit up for his country against England.

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Then after the game, he gave interviews in his army uniform so as not to miss his curfew at the barracks.

From WhoAteAllThePies.TV:

Pikk, who plays his club football for FC Levadia Tallinn, had played less than one minute of international football for the Estonian national team prior to making his full debut against England, having come on as a 93rd-minute sub in their 2-1 friendly victory over Tajikistan back in June.

The 21-year-old defender was given special leave to represent his country against Roy Hodgson’s mob but was under orders to return to the barracks by midnight – hence football writer Ott Jarvela was able to take the following photo of Pikk giving his post-match interview while dressed in his camo fatigues ready to head back to his army base…


The pot shots at Sterling are a little ridiculous and overblown, but the comparison is pretty funny considering Pikk’s conundrum. In any event, it’s safe to say Pikk is representing his country on several levels.

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