Eesti Karikas opens with a mostly ceremonial preliminary step, as the vast majority of clubs move through by bye and only a handful of ties need settling on the pitch.
The shadow of last season still gives the round context: FC Õieke lifted the cup after beating Football Club Tallinna Ariel 3:1 in the final, with FC Revolution and Jumalad also reaching the last four. For now, the favourites wait while the minnows try to earn their place in the draw.
Latvia’s National Cup begins quietly, with most clubs stepping through by bye and only a small handful needing to settle their place on the pitch.
The early draw still carries a clear shadow from last season: Lauki lifted the trophy after a 2:1 final win over A J Bramlett, while FC Veltins and FC Bandits were stopped in the semifinals. For now, the contenders wait for the cup to properly ignite.
Atletico Return to Cup Spotlight as Lower-Tier Clashes Crowd the Draw
The Cupa României moves into its second round with last season’s finalists both back in focus. Holders Abatorul Slobozia begin their defence against Atletic Videle, while beaten finalists AFC Atletico Mangalia have a more immediately interesting tie against Oltenia Force One. Atletico have already recovered from their opening league defeat with a 3:1 win over Soimii I.P.A. Sibiu, while Oltenia arrive after a huge first-round cup win, so this is one of the round’s clearest status-versus-momentum meetings.
FC Caracal also carry top-flight pressure into the round, facing DRAGONII NEGRI. Caracal are still looking for their first Divizia A point after two narrow league defeats, while DRAGONII NEGRI have started their Divizia D campaign with heavy scoring form. The gap in level is obvious, but the timing makes the match more awkward for the favourite.
Several lower-tier ties look just as competitive. C.T.S. against U CRAIOVA brings together two sides who have opened their regional league seasons perfectly, while Nottingham Forest FC and fc juventus gp arrive with similarly dominant early records. Chelsea-rulesss against Real Madrid is another strong form test, with both sides unbeaten in league play and already scoring freely.
There are also useful Divizia C battles in FC Triumph Rauttaceum against brasov, ACS Real Ploiesti against F.C. Juventus Colentina, Crybabies Football Club against Dinamo Rarău, and Fulgerul Rocar-National against Thunder CF. After a first round full of byes and one-sided scores, this is where Romania’s cup should start producing more meaningful separation.
English National Cup begins with a broad preliminary round, though most clubs are simply moving through by bye while only a few ties need to be played.
Last season’s finish gives the restart its hook: Gravediggers lifted the cup after beating Atletico De Madrid 2:1 in the final, with Rougemont Rovers and Heeley Harriers falling one step earlier. For now, the early hopefuls fight for a place in the draw before the bigger names truly enter the story.
W rundzie preeliminacyjnej wystąpią dwa aktywne zespoły – Jelonki FC oraz Tickle Tackle. Zagrają one jednak z nieaktywnymi drużynami. Czekamy więc na losowanie kolejnej rundy, w której z pewnością nie zabraknie ciekawych spotkań.
Polish Cup – Round 1!
Two active teams – Jelonki FC and Tickle Tackle – will take part in the preliminary round. However, they will face inactive teams. We now await the draw for the next round, where we can certainly expect plenty of interesting fixtures.
Kup Srbije opens with a quiet preliminary step, as most clubs move through by bye and only a handful of ties need deciding on the pitch.
Last season’s finish still gives the restart its edge: FK Hajduk Sydney 06' lifted the trophy after edging VOZD Utd. 1:0 after extra time in the final. For now, the early hopefuls fight for space in the draw before the heavier Superliga names fully shape the competition.
🏆 Turkish Cup Round 2 Analysis: Funny & Tactical Breakdown!
Posted by TacticalMastermind | Senior Analyst
The Turkish Cup Round 2 draw is finally here! We are officially opening the season of unexpected surprises and crazy cup drama. In this round, giant clubs will show off their power while smaller teams try to make history. Tactical minds and draw luck are out of the bag. Here is a fun and detailed look at the most exciting matches of the round:
Trabzonspor VS AslanGS 😏
Trabzonspor fans might feel relaxed looking at the division gap, but they should not forget that AslanGS has won 2 out of 2 matches in the 2nd League White Group. The away team is full of confidence right now. Trabzonspor must take this game seriously. Otherwise, they might say goodbye to the cup very early!
Elazığ Spor VS Sarı Lacivert ⚔️
This match between two tough 3rd League teams is a classic cup battle. Both teams want to stay near the top of the league, so expect a hard fight, many fouls, and maybe some yellow cards. Neither side can afford silly mistakes. If nobody breaks the tie in 90 minutes, extra time or penalties won't surprise anyone.
sensiz_olmuyor VS Galatasaray FK 🥹
Ah, the good old days! This is a nostalgic game between two famous clubs who once played at the highest level but are now trying to rebuild in the 3rd League. Both teams have great history and experience. The winner will not only move to the next round, but also proudly announce: "We are still here and we are not finished!"
M.K.C_28_SPOR VS SÖKESPOR 😱
M.K.C had a slow start to the season but boosted their morale with a victory this week. However, SÖKESPOR is not a normal lower-tier team—they are a goal machine! Scoring 34 goals in just 2 league matches is unbelievable! You don't even see that many goals in amateur weekend matches. M.K.C needs to park the bus in defense, or SÖKESPOR's attackers will make them pay.
Ejder 3200 Futbol Kulübü VS ERBABA 🧠
Two well-known 3rd League clubs with rich history face each other in this cup clash. Since both teams know each other very well, it will be an intense chess match between the managers. Controlling the midfield and using set-pieces effectively will be the key to winning this tight game.
Giresunspor VS Balkesspor 🏋️♂️
Giresunspor is fighting for the title in 3rd League Group 7, but they got a very tough draw against Super League giants Balkesspor. Balkesspor is currently 3rd in the Super League and has a powerful squad. Giresunspor will rely on home-field advantage to create a miracle, while Balkesspor will try to win comfortably with their superior quality.
Luck With Me VS GOZTEPE 🤞
Looking at their name, "Luck With Me" really needs all the luck they can get! They are playing against GOZTEPE, who plays 2 divisions above them. To pull off an upset, the home team needs more than just fan support—they need a miracle on the pitch and an unlucky day from the favorites.
aşağıakın VS Sakarya FC 🦁
For 4th division side Sakarya FC, this trip is like stepping into a lions' den. They visit aşağıakın, one of the strongest and most form teams in the Super League. Sakarya FC will need perfect defensive discipline, an incredible goalkeeper performance, and pure luck to survive this difficult away fixture.
Bold Pilot VS zenjense idman yurdu 🐎
Bold Pilot started the 2nd League Red Group with a strong win and is running fast just like their name suggests. On the other side, zenjense idman yurdu plays in a lower league and has had a terrible start, earning only 1 point in 2 matches. Bold Pilot should comfortably win this game and move to the next round without big trouble.
Kup BiH begins with a quiet preliminary round, where most clubs advance by bye and only a few ties will decide who stays in the early draw.
The holders are FC Peacocks almighty, who finished last season’s run with a 3:0 final win over FK Ljiljan. Belfast warriors and FK Sloboda Tuzla also reached the semifinals, giving this new cup campaign a familiar set of names to watch once the draw tightens.
Hrvatski Kup begins with a light preliminary round, where most clubs are already safely into the next draw and only a few places still need deciding on the pitch.
The cup returns with Fight United Elite as holders after last season’s 4:3 final win over Hedgehogs. Their league start has been uneven, but the trophy still gives them the main spotlight while Hedgehogs, HAŠK and others wait for another run to take shape.
The Slovenski Državni Pokal reaches its second round with holders FC Soccer Academy Red Bull beginning their defence against fc miha28. Red Bull lifted last season’s trophy with a 2:1 final win over Olimpija 1911, but their league start has already been uneven: one win, one defeat, and a slip against promoted F.C.Barcelona.. That makes the cup a useful early reset for the double winners.
The most eye-catching tie among the highlighted matches is Manchester United F.C. against Alkosi i drogeraši. Alkosi are unbeaten in the top league after two draws, including a 1:1 result against Neverwalkalone, but they also carry the pressure of being the higher-level side. Manchester United arrive from the Tretja (Third) SNL, and while their league form has been mixed, this is exactly the sort of tie where the favourite needs to avoid giving the underdog belief.
Neverwalkalone also have a lower-tier assignment, away to Nk Maribor. Their own start has been steady rather than spectacular, with four points from two Prva SNL matches, so the priority will be control rather than drama. Elsewhere, several Tretja SNL clashes should give the round more balance: Tapravi Kekci meet KŠD Jauševo, UBRISANI take on NK Šminkeri, and NŠ Delavcev face Slovenska Bistrica.
There are also dangerous lower-tier tests for Santos-Futebol Clube, FC Scary Gorca, Nogometni Klub Lipa and Warriors Maribor. After a first round dominated by byes and mismatches, this second round should give Slovenia’s bigger names a clearer warning: the route to Red Bull’s crown is already narrowing.
Belgium’s National cup opens with most clubs already placed into the next draw, leaving only a handful of preliminary ties to settle the final spaces.
Last season’s finish gives the restart some bite: Merchtem2016 took the trophy after a 0:0 final against FC Goldstar, winning 8:7 on penalties. Their league start has been rough, so the cup may already feel like a chance to reset, while FC Goldstar, Club Internationale and CA Boca Juniors remain names to watch.
Pokalturneringen starts with a gentle preliminary round, as most clubs are already through to the next stage and only a few places still need settling on the pitch.
Last season ended with Borsholm-Skibstrup IF lifting the trophy after a goalless final against Carnap Kickers, decided 4:3 on penalties. Both finalists have had mixed league starts, so the cup may quickly become a useful chance to rebuild momentum.
Coupe de France begins with a mostly quiet preliminary round, as the majority of clubs are already placed into the next stage and only a few ties still need settling on the pitch.
Last season’s story ended with JFK Lusignacum beating OLIVE ET TOM 1:0 in the final, after US Warlaing and les Loups noirs fell in the semifinals. With JFK Lusignacum also starting strongly in LIGUE 2a, the holders return with useful momentum.
Netherlands’ National cup begins with a mostly administrative preliminary round, as the wider field takes shape and only a few places still need to be won on the pitch.
Last season’s finish was tight: SV Houten beat Carlstad United 1:0 in the final after earlier removing PEC Zwolle. With Carlstad United, DeDonnys and PEC Zwolle already in the top-flight picture again, the holders may have plenty of familiar challengers waiting.
Taça de Portugal opens with a quiet preliminary stage, with most clubs already slotted into the next draw and only a handful of places still to be decided on the pitch.
Last season ended dramatically, as Galacticos C.P. beat Sá FC 2:1 after extra time in the final. Both finalists are already in the Superliga picture again, while Grupo Desportivo de Sá and AS Roma will remember falling just short in the semifinals.
Switzerland’s National cup starts with a calm preliminary round, with the wider field mostly set and only a few places still to be earned on the pitch.
The holders are fc walhalla, who beat fc schönspieler 1:0 in last season’s final after also knocking out Stadtaffe in the semis. Their defence begins with extra confidence too: fc walhalla have opened the Super league with two wins, while fc schönspieler are still looking for their first points.
Coupe d'Algérie opens with a mostly quiet preliminary stage, with the wider field already taking shape and only a few places still needing to be won on the pitch.
Last season’s final gives this launch a strong thread: USM.GAZA beat RC Kouba 3:1 after extra time to lift the trophy. Both have started the new top-flight season unbeaten, but RC Kouba have been sharper so far, making any future cup reunion immediately interesting.
Nivek and Na Canela Carry Top-Flight Pressure Into Cup Night
The Copa do Brasil moves into its second round with holders Douradina City beginning their defence against Real Banzeiro, after last season’s run ended with a 1:0 final win over Desportivo Sol. Douradina have had a quiet league start in II Divisão B2, so the cup remains an obvious place for them to reassert themselves.
Among the highlighted ties, the top-flight sides have the clearest pressure. Nivek United meet Oceano Futebol Clube after a solid unbeaten start in the Campeonato Brasileiro, including a 1:0 win over Na Canela™. Oceano, however, have opened perfectly in IV Divisão D2, so this is not a tie Nivek can treat casually.
Na Canela™ also face a lower-level opponent with momentum, travelling to Turma do Mangga FMC. Na Canela’s league start has been mixed, while Turma have begun strongly in IV Divisão D30, making this another match where the favourite’s status has to be backed up quickly.
There is plenty of intrigue below the top flight too. TGLOPES FC against Wolf Guará Futebol Clube looks especially sharp: TGLOPES have started their IV Divisão league with huge scoring form, but Wolf Guará arrive from the II Divisão with two wins and no goals conceded. DBR Futebol Clube against Big Fish FC and Piratas do Clubismo against Esporte Clube Cajueiro also give III Divisão sides a chance to measure themselves against II Divisão opposition.
Elsewhere, Campinas Futebol Clube meet Atlético Insulano Futsal Club in a strong III Divisão pairing, while Imortal Tubarão against Golden Eagle Warriors brings together two sides with early cup scoring pedigree. After a first round packed with byes and heavy mismatches, Brazil’s second round should finally start sorting reputation from real danger.
Copa Simon Bolivar begins with a mostly gentle preliminary round, as the field largely takes shape automatically and only a few places still need settling on the pitch.
Last season ended dramatically, with Luxus FC beating Pepeventus F.C 7:6 on penalties after a goalless final. The holders have opened the new league season strongly, while Tequeños de chocolate and Union Atletico Falcón also look ready to keep the cup picture crowded.
