---
title: "Panevėžys beat Sūduva 2–0 to reach Lithuanian Cup final"
date: 2025-09-16T18:04:18Z
lang: en
author: "Dmitrijs Kravcenko"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/panevezys-beat-suduva-2-0-to-reach-lithuanian-cup-final/
categories: ["Lithuanian Cup"]
---

# Panevėžys beat Sūduva 2–0 to reach Lithuanian Cup final
![](https://i0.wp.com/balticfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/548891786_1113006450962287_2498041731548974239_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)Photo: FK Panevezys

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.