Season 51 reaches Round 3 in the four biggest Dugout nations — Brazil, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey — while a wide cast of major countries follow one step behind in Round 2: Algeria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Denmark, England, Estonia, France, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Venezuela.
With the calendar filling up, we turn to those nations that not only advance their brackets today, but also feature managers going head-to-head — a snapshot of where the cup battles are already serious.
The Romanian cup’s Round 3 is dense and volatile. In Divizia A, Universitatea Cluj host FC BEAUTY OF PAIN in a pure top-flight showdown that headlines the day. Defending champions F.C.PRETOR are thrown into danger early, travelling to PETROLUL 67 from Divizia C — a lower-league opponent but one with nothing to lose against the reigning holders.
Last season’s finalists FC Bistrita – Severin step in from Divizia B2 against Petrolul Ploiesti F.C. (Divizia C), while familiar names from recent deep runs also reappear: FC RECOLTA BLAJANI face Avrig United, and Steaua Red Wings visit f.c. vaslui, both carrying the weight of their Season 50 campaigns.
The Divizia B ranks are heavily engaged: militzia vs. FC Dinamo București. offers a fierce all–B-division clash, while FC U. CRAIOVA, Sanatatea Ungureni, CS Alouette 1947 and F.C.DISTRUGATORII all meet lower-tier rivals testing their resilience.
Around them, a web of Divizia C, Divizia D and Divizia E ties — from RedBlueSharks vs. Real Madrid to Babau vs. FC Univ Craiova — ensures that every level of the Romanian pyramid remains connected to the national stage.
England’s cup offers a tidy trio of fixtures. In the English Championship, Southfield United face Millwall Football Club, a rerun of last season’s quarterfinalists’ path where Millwall fell to Misca F.C.
The English Premiership joins in as Chester Ducks host Heeley Harriers, a classic Premiership–Championship duel with upset potential. Finally, The Empire Strikers from English League 1 take on Championship side Misca F.C., who reached last season’s semifinals before being swept aside by eventual finalists Beringen United Mightyred.
The Polish cup bursts into life with a long slate of ties across the pyramid. Olimpia Pasłęk, quarterfinalists last season, host Princessa Chorzów in an Ekstraklasa–IV Liga matchup that could still prove tricky for the top-flight side.
There’s a heavyweight clash as Ares Wrocław from II Liga grupa I host Ekstraklasa outfit Jelonki FC, while KKS Lech Poznań from III Liga entertain last season’s finalists Clepardia Kraków in one of the round’s most intriguing duels.
Other notable pairings see Polonia Pasłęk, Klub Nysa, Vatos Squad and FC Drzewce all testing ambitious III Liga opposition, while lower down a cluster of III Liga and IV Liga derbies — from TheOldsQ vs. Iron City FC to Crusaders Góra Kalwaria vs. Gumio and FcZwierzaki vs. Koltech — promise tight, combative football.
We are entering the second round of this season’s competition, where a larger number of active teams join the battle to advance further. This stage usually brings some interesting encounters, but also many matches in which active teams face inactive opponents — often resulting in expected and routine wins for the favorites. Still, this is the Cup – and any moment of complacency can prove costly.
However, one fixture stands out as the absolute highlight of the round.
Kasovac Marathoners – Belgrade City
A clash between two Superliga sides, two active teams that remain unbeaten after the first three league rounds.
Both Kasovac Marathoners and Belgrade City have shown consistency, solid defense, and strong results – but someone’s unbeaten run must end here.
Kasovac, playing at home, have the advantage of atmosphere and team chemistry, while Belgrade City arrive full of confidence after an impressive league start. This is a classic cup match where a single mistake, a flash of inspiration, or one set-piece could decide everything.
Advantage: slight edge to Kasovac Marathoners – but completely open.
The remaining fixtures in this round mostly feature active teams against inactive ones. In such matches, the favorites should progress without much trouble, though caution is always wise – the Cup doesn’t forgive overconfidence, not even against teams that aren’t fully active.
Conclusion
It’s clear that Kasovac Marathoners vs. Belgrade City is the centerpiece of the round, while in the other games, active teams are expected to advance safely. The winners will move on to the next stage, where the competition will become significantly tougher.
Sporting regards!
Najava – 2. runda Kupa Srbije
Poštovani ljubitelji Kupa Srbije,
Pred nama je druga runda ovogodišnjeg izdanja takmičenja, u kojoj se veći broj aktivnih timova priključuje borbi za prolazak dalje. Ova faza obično donosi zanimljive duele, ali i veliki broj mečeva u kojima se aktivni timovi sastaju sa neaktivnim, što često znači očekivane i rutinske pobede favorita. Ipak, Kup je Kup – svaki opušten pristup može skupo da košta.
Međutim, jedno ime posebno iskače i predstavlja apsolutni derbi runde.
Kasovac Maratonci – Belgrade City
Susret dva superligaša, dva aktivna tima koja su u prvih tri kola Superlige prošla bez poraza.
I Kasovac Maratonci i Belgrade City prikazali su stabilnu formu, čvrstu igru i dobre rezultate – ali neko ovde mora da oseti prvi poraz u sezoni.
Kasovac kao domaćin ima prednost atmosfere i uigranog tima, dok Belgrade City ulazi sa velikim samopouzdanjem nakon startnih dobrih igara u ligi. Ovo je tipičan kup meč gde odlučuje jedna greška, jedan momenat inspiracije ili jedan prekid.
Prednost: minimalna Kasovac Maratonci – ali potpuno otvoreno.
Ostali mečevi u ovoj rundi uglavnom donose susrete aktivnih timova protiv neaktivnih. U takvim duelima favoriti bi trebalo rutinski da obezbede prolaz dalje, ali oprez nikada nije na odmet – Kup ne prašta uspavljivanje, čak ni protiv rivala koji nije u punom pogonu.
Zaključak
U najavi je jasno da je Kasovac Maratonci – Belgrade City centralna utakmica runde, dok se u ostalim duelima očekuju sigurni prolazi aktivnih timova. Pobednici ulaze u narednu fazu gde će konkurencija postati osetno jača.
Turkey’s National Cup continues to offer high-profile drama. In the TFF Süper Lig, Göztepe host Özçelik Spor from TFF 3. Lig, while Trabzonspor travel to Manyasspor, another third-tier side dreaming of a giant-killing. Both fixtures test how seriously the elite are taking this season’s competition.
Reigning champions Tortuga, who lifted the trophy last season after a penalty shoot-out win over AKINCILAR-1453 following a goalless final, now face Kukumavgücü from TFF 3. Lig — exactly the kind of banana-skin tie that can derail a title defence if focus slips. Fellow TFF 2. Lig Kırmızı Grup side Besiktas JK host Elazığ Spor from TFF 3. Lig, while simav meet Karadeniz Uşakları FK in a pure TFF 2. Lig showdown between Kırmızı and Beyaz clubs.
Rounding things off, zenjense idman yurdu vs. Serseri and ADO team vs. Sports Academy provide tense third-tier contests where progression is critical for clubs seeking national relevance.
Slovenia’s cup enters a crowded Round 3, with Prva SNL powerhouses stepping directly into the line of fire. Grosuplje FC host You Will Never Walk Alone from Tretja SNL, while last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund welcome NK Zagorje from the Prva regionalna Liga, eager to begin another deep run after falling just short against Grosuplje Dreamteam in Season 50.
Elsewhere in the top division, FC Soccer Academy Red Bull take on FUNatiki™ F. Club, and Alkosi i drogeraši face Cephalica, both Prva SNL–Tretja SNL pairings that could turn tricky if the heavyweights underestimate their visitors.
The Druga SNL clubs are also heavily involved. Real Moste C.F., who pushed Dortmund to extra time last season, host Slovenski asi from the Prva regionalna Liga, while FC Poochies vs. Neverwalkalone, Nogometni klub zizike vs. Caliginous Beleaguerers, Barcelona vs. Olimpija and FC Red Steelers vs. Grosuplje United FC showcase the East and West second tiers against ambitious regional and third-tier sides.
Beneath that, an entire belt of Tretja SNL, Prva regionalna Liga and Druga regionalna Liga clashes — from RAUFNKIRARI vs. Slovenska Bistrica to FC US vs. Blackened Ballers 89’ — gives the round its depth and unpredictability.
The Belgian National Cup resumes quietly, with one all–2de Klasse tie: GoZiWeAs welcome SV Swaffelternineffe. Holders FC Goldstar and last season’s runners-up Sasboys remain in the shadows for now, waiting for sterner tests in later rounds.
Two Hoofdklasse teams - De Musschen meet 1461 Firtina in a single, evenly matched tie, while higher-tier giants like Abel United and Fc Fartree watch from a safe distance after last season’s dramatic final.
Portugal’s Taça round is packed with compelling cross-division ties. Junqueiro A.C. of Liga de honra B host FC Ibéricos from the 3ª liga, while Sport Aveiro e Benfica (3ª liga) welcome Os Patetas from Liga de honra A.
Two fixtures stand out especially: Futebol Clube do Porto – not the Superliga giants but a 3ª liga side sharing the famous name – host Independente SC from Liga de honra A, and Grupo Desportivo de Chaves (3ª liga) face last season’s beaten finalists ODC WaRrIoRz v2 from the Superliga, a genuine test of the holders’ successors.
Further down, AC Bougadense of the 4ª liga get a shot at Macinhatense F. C. from Liga de honra B in a classic small-club cup occasion.
Super D2 A side Raed Chabab Kouba host RCGO from the Inter-Regions league in the standout tie, while NA Hussein Dey and Royal Tigers meet in a finely-balanced Regionale clash.
Round 2 review: Another round with almost no surprises in the Copa do Brasil. Perhaps the only unexpected result was the win by Gigante Vasco Brasília over Gonçalense — but Gigante started the season well and has a qualified squad, even if this is their first season in C Division. Mykonos beat Fla United with three goals in the final minutes, Quebra Perna showed that he is a cup specialist and knocked out Sobradinho — and all the newcomers were eliminated by veteran teams.
The third round of the Cup is way more attractive. To start, last season’s two finalists will make their debuts against active managers.
The runners-up Colorado da Serra, already preparing for their debut in international competitions, will face the practically unknown Expresso da Colina. Will Mable and Bos take the field? Or will the dynamic duo stay on the bench, waiting for the Challenge Cup to begin? Meanwhile, the reigning Copa and league champions Udi City will have a tougher match against Athletico PRaiano, who isn’t Paulinho, but also delivers strong Cup performances. We could witness shocking upsets knocking both T50 finalists out at once.
Fresh off a humiliating defeat against Capelópolis, Edmilson Balão and Piratas do Clubismo have a chance to redeem themselves against one of the most traditional youth academies in Brazil: Primonha. Meanwhile, the father of all — just as he became a target of a social-media mafia — will need to split hearts and minds when facing Vascão da Massa.
Lespa vs. Niterói is your typical David vs. Goliath matchup. Of course, only if David still didn’t know how to play after nearly 12 seasons and Goliath received one SS per season. A true Hollywood classic. But that’s not the only blockbuster matchup: Big Fish will finally have the chance to prove it is the biggest fish in the Dugout aquarium against Imortal Tubarão, in a sort of Finding Nemo: Dugout Edition. Two very different stories collide: Big Fish rocketed up the ranks, reached the CB, and has been going downhill ever since, while Imortal Tubarão keeps improving bit by bit.
A finalist in T49, Gladbach embarrassed themselves in T50 and now face their first active opponent of the season: Vinter, one of those teams that put their entire life on the Copa do Brasil because they decided to farm rating in the league. That’s not the case for Athayde and Ajudante, two iconic yo-yo clubs from C8. The surreal stat: in ten matches, Santa’s Little Helper has never beaten Athayde — five wins for the Azulão and five draws. Will the Laplanders finally get their day?
Another team that has never beaten its opponent in this Tuesday clash (25th) is Guaibim: they’ve faced Marotos three times, and Marotos won all three — including in last season’s third round. But the context is different now: Guaibim is on the rise, 100% on the season, leader of C4, and looks like one of the most promising teams in Brazil. Will the Orange and Blue get revenge? Or will the Sudacas da Gama prevail once again?
And don’t think the prehistoric world is staying quiet. If Athayde and Ajudante impress with ten past clashes, imagine this: Boleiro and Black Griffins have met 31 times — basically since the dawn of Dugout. Massive advantage for the Griffins: 22 wins against just seven from Boleiro. The catch? The Black Griffin is considered the biggest choker in the tournament: 12 quarterfinals, eight semifinals and two finals appearances — yet they have never lifted the trophy.
Two dinos will face young and powerful squads: Botafogo will visit Meninos da Vila, renewing a historic youth rivalry, while Joãonesburgo, another promising team from C4, will get their shot at Cirandinha. The former rookie sensation, São Luís Roots, will face one of the most charismatic badges in the country: Voltorb.
Speaking of newcomers, several matchups feature veterans vs. clubs trying to make noise for the first time. Inenarráveis, perhaps the most prepared newbie for a heavyweight duel, will host Lebeira. Nicolas will take on Vasco-inspired Imbaraga Zabantu, and Estofele will face CR Flamengo (a very original team name). Superavitários already have history under a former club name, but nothing compared to their opponent: Piraloku (once again in charge of crushing young dreams). To close the preview, Fortaleza arrived with heavy consultancy — none other than Elias, leader of Grupo Trem, brought the rookie into Dugout. We’ll see if the tips from a fourth-tier club will make any difference against Louco da Cabeça.
Who will be the first rookie to take down a veteran? Will Colorado and Udi get eliminated right away in Round 3? We’ll find out this Tuesday!
