Serbian Cup
The Serbian Cup, organized by the Football Association of Serbia, is the premier knockout competition featuring clubs from all tiers of Serbian football. Established post-2006 independence from Montenegro, it levels the playing field, allowing underdogs from lower divisions to challenge SuperLiga powerhouses in thrilling upsets.
History and foundation
Rooted in Yugoslav traditions, the modern Serbian Cup began in 2006/07, with Red Star Belgrade claiming the inaugural title. They dominated early editions, but Partizan snatched victory in 2010, followed by Vojvodina's surprise win in 2014. The 2021 final saw Red Star demolish Partizan 3-0. Reforms in 2012 introduced group stages for early rounds, boosting excitement and participation.
Tournament format
The tournament starts with qualifying rounds for lower-league sides, merging into the Round of 16 with top-flight teams. From the quarterfinals, it's single-leg knockout ties on the higher-seeded team's home ground. The final is hosted at neutral venues like Partizan or Rajko Mitić Stadiums. The 2023/24 edition featured 38 clubs.
Interesting facts
Matches average 2.7 goals, spiking in derbies. Red Star leads with 8 triumphs. Top scorers include Stevan Jovetić (8 goals in 2007 for Partizan); current stars like Aleksandar Mitrović shine. It launched careers of Nemanja Vidić and Dušan Tadić. In 2022, IMT from the First League reached quarters, netting 15 goals.