2019 Lithuanian Football Cup

Participation in the competition is mandatory for all clubs of the top three tiers (A Lyga, LFF I Lyga, LFF II Lyga). Teams of lower divisions are eligible to apply for participation if they meet licensing criteria. The reserve teams are not allowed to participate in the cup competition. The application submission deadline was the 5 April 2019. The deadline was extended to 15 April due to increased interest in the competition from the lower divisions, which are getting refereeing costs paid by the LFF this year. A total of 62 teams enrolled to the competition, the match draw took place on 18 April 2019. During the draw the organizers realized that technical errors were made, and subsequently the draw results were annulled. Repeat draw was held the next day. The organizers were also criticized for inappropriate representational format. == Major events ==

The draw attracted media attention first by unusual draw method, featuring skimpy dressed girl in a wind tunnel, catching paper strips with team names, and later by realizing that technical errors were made in team names and number of teams in the draw. The draw was abandoned and held again the next day, in a traditional ball-in-a-bowl manner. As FC Stumbras club collapsed in June, the win in the 1/8 final tie was awarded to FK Žalgiris. Both the police and the Lithuanian Football Federation have opened the investigations on match fixing in the semi-final match between FK Banga Gargždai and FK Palanga. Suspicious betting activity was reported by the local and the international betting companies. == Matches and Results ==

Match Calendar Preliminary Round I The league that team represents is shown in brackets. Preliminary Round II 130 goals were scored in the 29 matches of the preliminary stage of the competition, averaging at 4.48 goals per match. An average of 72 spectators attended the matches. 1/16 final The 8 teams of the A Lyga have joined the 24 winning teams of Round II. The draw took place on 8 May 2019. 54 goals were scored in the 16 matches of this stage of the competition, averaging at 3.38 goals per match. An average of 120 spectators attended the matches. 1/8 final The 1/8 final draw took place on 30 May 10:00 EET, with live coverage through LFF YouTube and Facebook channels. 1/4 final The quarter final draw took place on 4 July. 1/2 final The semi final draw took place on 5 September. Final For the third time in its history FK Sūduva Marijampolė has claimed the cup title. ==References==