Panevėžys claimed their place in the LFF Cup final with a 2–0 win over Sūduva in Marijampolė. The visitors, currently seventh in A Lyga with 38 points, upset the third-placed side (46 points) in a semifinal that broke the balance of their season series. Across four earlier meetings this year, each team had won once and drawn twice.
The Lithuanian Cup, founded in 1947, has a rich tradition. Sūduva are three-time winners, most recently in 2019, while Panevėžys lifted the trophy in 2020.
Expert preview: Nikola Vitorović
Ahead of the match, Mantas Aliukonis spoke with the 35-year-old Serbian-Cypriot coach Nikola Vitorović, a UEFA Pro licence holder who previously led Riteriai with an attacking style, who gave his assessment of the tie.
“Sūduva played well in the last round, beating Kauno Žalgiris, while Panevėžys reached the semifinals against weaker opponents like Trivartis, Garliava and Jonava,” Vitorović said. “This season the teams have already drawn twice, so even tonight another 1–1 after 90 minutes is very possible. But overall, I give Panevėžys a 65% chance of progressing, Sūduva only 35%.”
Tactics and key men
Both clubs set up in 4-4-2, though Panevėžys have also used 4-2-3-1. “Sūduva rely on their classic 4-4-2, Panevėžys rotate more. Their deeper squad is an advantage,” noted Vitorović. He singled out Belgian midfielder Isaac Asante as especially dangerous when introduced from the bench.
For the hosts, much depended on captain Aleksandar Živanovič returning from a minor injury. “He is their leader, like a coach on the pitch, constantly talking and teaching younger players. He organises the whole back line,” said Vitorović.
Sūduva’s strength this year has been defence — second-best in A Lyga for goals conceded — and their 4-4-2 gives space for quick counters. They rely on the pace of Nauris Petkevičius, Idris Momoh and Amar Haidara out wide.
Panevėžys, however, have undergone tactical evolution. At the start of the season they struggled, hurt by injuries and the July departure of top scorer Pavle Radunović. “I don’t know why they parted ways with Radunović, who was their most effective forward at the time,” Vitorović admitted. “Since then results have been inconsistent, with winning runs followed by defeats, but lately they’ve improved.”
X-factors
One player Vitorović highlighted was Elivelto: “He hasn’t scored many this season, but he is a special player who can influence big matches like this. I expect him to show his class tonight.”
He also praised Panevėžys head coach Roland Vrabec: “He’s a disciplined coach of good quality who had freedom to build this year’s squad. At Riteriai I didn’t have that — decisions came from the sporting director. Vrabec brought stability with German discipline and creativity, and I believed he would find a way to break Sūduva’s predictable 4-4-2.”
Outcome
In the end, Panevėžys did exactly that. Two unanswered goals in Marijampolė gave them a deserved victory and a place in the final, where they will aim for their second Lithuanian Cup title in five years.
