In the late eighties, the former Soviet Estonian basketball team, Kalev, was invited to North America to play in the World Basketball League of athletes under 6’5” tall.
KALEV promo poster
In 1989, Soviet occupied Tallinn’s Kalev faced off against the Calgary 88’s for the first time, and the team was greeted after the match by the Calgary Estonian Society with food, drink, and warm companionship.
The following year, Kalev faced the 88’s a second and final time before Estonia regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Kalev maintained a close lead for most of the game until the 88’s took the win in the end. Off the court, Calgarians again welcomed the Estonians with a hearty reception; the Calgary Estonian Society and the Kalev team filled their bellies—a rare treat for the Soviet squad on their extremely tight budget—and enjoyed each other’s company.
“Some guests drove over 150 km to watch the game and join the receptions.”
(Helgi Leesment)
Helgi Leesment, a dedicated member of both the former Calgary Estonian and the Alberta Estonian Heritage Societies, was present at both games and reminds us that “to this day, former Calgary Estonian Society president Marta Kivik and other members look back fondly on the enthusiasm which was applied in hosting the Kalev team both times. Some guests drove over 150 km to watch the game and join the receptions.”
Now, in 2023, Kalev comes to Calgary once more, this time in the form of an inspirational film showing at the Calgary European Film Festival at the Globe Cinema on November 5th at 2pm, supported by the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society (AEHS) and the Estonian Foundation of Canada (EFC). Although the basketball team will not be physically present this year, the AEHS will still hold a reception in honour of not only Estonian athletes, but citizens, refugees, migrants, and descendants as well.
June 1989, Calgary. The Kalev Estonian basketball team represents the Soviet
Union at its first World Basketball League game against the Calgary 88’s.
(Pre-game gift exchange ceremony)
June 1989, Calgary. Despite very short notice, several dozen Calgary-area Estonians attended the games. The Kalev team obligingly posed
with local Estonian children in attendance.
Front row: Mike Asmus, Nicole Asmus, Sylvia Soide, Karl Leetmaa,
Vivien Soide
Second row: Andrea Kivik, unknown friend, Milvi Tiislar, Erika Kivik,
Ingrid Soide, Brigid Soide, Krista Leesment
Third row: Assistant coach Riho Soonik, Andrus Nagel, Aivar Toomiste,
Rauno Pehka, Aivar Kuusmaa, Taavi Reigam, team doctor Rein Jalak,
Head coach Jaak Salumets.
Fourth row: Aleksander Sevchenko, Rashid Abeljanov, Aleksander
Karavajev, Harri Drell, Margus Metstak, Ivo Saksakulm
June 1989, Calgary. An Alberta beef rib dinner was arranged for the
Kalev team at the popular cowboy themed restaurant-bar-dance hall
Ranchman’s, hosted by local Calgary area Estonians.
L to R Kalev head
coach Jaak Salumets, guests Maie Toome, Pärja Tiislar
June 1989, Calgary. At the Ranchman’s restaurant, facing camera: Margus
Metstak, Rauno Pehka, Calgary Estonian Society president Marta Kivik. Side
view: Helgi & Peter Leesment.
June 1989, Calgary. At the reception, head coach Jaak Saluments, with
Calgary Estonian Society president Marta Kivik partially visible.
June 1990, Calgary. Pre-game ceremony at the Saddledome.
June 1990, Calgary game, Kalev vs. Calgary 88’s
June 1990, Calgary. The score favours Kalev for most of the game, however, the Calgary 88’s win in the end.
June 1990, Calgary. Head coach Jaak Saluments and Assistant Coach Riho
Soonik share a joke at the post-game dinner and reception hosted by the
Calgary area Estonian community.
June 1990, Calgary. Athlete Margus Metstak chats with Calgarians Willy Kalvee and his wife.
June 1990, Calgary. Some of the approximately 50 people enjoying the Kalev post game dinner and reception hosted by Calgary area Estonians.
The gentleman at the far right front is Alfred Matiisen who travelled 150 km from his home in Eckville to see the game and meet the 1990 Kalev team.
Some decades earlier, he was a member of the first Estonian national
basketball team and particularly enjoyed this opportunity to converse with
his „later“ teammates.
An item given as a gift by the Kalev players to Helgi Leesment in 1989/1990
June 1989, Calgary. The Kalev Estonian basketball team represents the Soviet
Union at its first World Basketball League game against the Calgary 88’s.
(Pre-game gift exchange ceremony)
June 1989, Calgary. Despite very short notice, several dozen Calgary-area Estonians attended the games. The Kalev team obligingly posed
with local Estonian children in attendance.
Front row: Mike Asmus, Nicole Asmus, Sylvia Soide, Karl Leetmaa,
Vivien Soide
Second row: Andrea Kivik, unknown friend, Milvi Tiislar, Erika Kivik,
Ingrid Soide, Brigid Soide, Krista Leesment
Third row: Assistant coach Riho Soonik, Andrus Nagel, Aivar Toomiste,
Rauno Pehka, Aivar Kuusmaa, Taavi Reigam, team doctor Rein Jalak,
Head coach Jaak Salumets.
Fourth row: Aleksander Sevchenko, Rashid Abeljanov, Aleksander
Karavajev, Harri Drell, Margus Metstak, Ivo Saksakulm
June 1989, Calgary. An Alberta beef rib dinner was arranged for the
Kalev team at the popular cowboy themed restaurant-bar-dance hall
Ranchman’s, hosted by local Calgary area Estonians.
L to R Kalev head
coach Jaak Salumets, guests Maie Toome, Pärja Tiislar
June 1989, Calgary. At the Ranchman’s restaurant, facing camera: Margus
Metstak, Rauno Pehka, Calgary Estonian Society president Marta Kivik. Side
view: Helgi & Peter Leesment.
June 1989, Calgary. At the reception, head coach Jaak Saluments, with
Calgary Estonian Society president Marta Kivik partially visible.
June 1990, Calgary. Pre-game ceremony at the Saddledome.
June 1990, Calgary game, Kalev vs. Calgary 88’s
June 1990, Calgary. The score favours Kalev for most of the game, however, the Calgary 88’s win in the end.
June 1990, Calgary. Head coach Jaak Saluments and Assistant Coach Riho
Soonik share a joke at the post-game dinner and reception hosted by the
Calgary area Estonian community.
June 1990, Calgary. Athlete Margus Metstak chats with Calgarians Willy Kalvee and his wife.
June 1990, Calgary. Some of the approximately 50 people enjoying the Kalev post game dinner and reception hosted by Calgary area Estonians.
The gentleman at the far right front is Alfred Matiisen who travelled 150 km from his home in Eckville to see the game and meet the 1990 Kalev team.
Some decades earlier, he was a member of the first Estonian national
basketball team and particularly enjoyed this opportunity to converse with
his „later“ teammates.
An item given as a gift by the Kalev players to Helgi Leesment in 1989/1990
