CHERKASY, Ukraine – In a tightly contested Ukrainian Cup quarterfinal match on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, First League side Буковина of Chernivtsi defeated Premier League outfit LNZ Cherkasy in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw. The victory sends Буковина into the semifinals of the competition.
The match, played at the Cherkasy Arena, saw a cautious start from both teams, with minimal attacking opportunities in the first half. Play largely unfolded in midfield, with both sides prioritizing defensive stability and attempting to build attacks through controlled possession. Standard set-pieces offered the most promising moments, but neither team could capitalize.
LNZ, playing on their home ground, gradually asserted more dominance in the second half, spending extended periods in Буковина’s half. However, despite their territorial advantage, the Cherkasy side struggled to break down a resolute Буковина defense. Clear-cut chances remained scarce as LNZ found themselves frustrated by a well-organized defensive block. Буковина, meanwhile, looked to exploit counter-attacking opportunities, but were largely contained by LNZ’s backline.
With neither team able to locate a breakthrough during regulation time, the match headed to a penalty shootout to determine the victor. In a dramatic conclusion, Буковина emerged victorious, converting four of their five spot-kicks although LNZ faltered, missing one crucial penalty. The final score after the shootout was 5-4 in favor of Буковина.
This was only the second competitive meeting between LNZ and Буковина. Their first encounter occurred during the 2021/22 season in Ukraine’s Second League, where Буковина secured a 2-0 victory. This recent result continues Буковина’s positive record against their Premier League opponents.
The Ukrainian Cup continues with another quarterfinal matchup scheduled for March 5th, featuring Metalist 1925 against Lokomotiv. The match between Chernihiv and Phoenix-Mariupol has been postponed until March 17th.
This result follows Dynamo Kyiv’s qualification for the semifinals on Tuesday, March 3rd, after they defeated Inhulets. Dynamo’s victory established the first semifinalist, and now Буковина joins them in the final four.
LNZ was founded in 2006, though for its first seven years was known as Shpola-LNZ-Lebedyn, with some funding coming from the Shpola district budget, according to information from the club’s official website. Currently, LNZ plays its home matches at the Cherkasy Arena, which has a capacity of 10,321. The team is currently coached by Vitaliy Ponomaryov, and captained by Nazariy Muravskyi. LNZ is owned by Dmytro Kravchenko, with Viktor Kravchenko serving as president. The club currently competes in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Bukovina’s victory represents a significant achievement for the Chernivtsi-based club, offering them a platform to compete against some of Ukraine’s top teams in the pursuit of cup glory. The semifinal draw will be keenly anticipated as Буковина looks to continue their impressive cup run.
Match Details:
Ukrainian Cup
Quarterfinal, March 4, 2026
LNZ (Cherkasy) – Буковина (Chernivtsi) 0:0 – after penalties 4:5
The Ukrainian Cup semifinals are shaping up to be an exciting affair, with Dynamo Kyiv and Буковина already securing their places. Fans will be eager to see who their opponents will be as the competition progresses.
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