The 2014 Russian Cup refers to the edition of the Russian Cup, the premier knockout football (association football) competition organized by the Russian Football Union (RFU). The tournament is contested annually by clubs from the Russian Premier League, the National Football League, and lower divisions, following a single‑elimination format that culminates in a final match to determine the champion.
General structure of the competition
- Organizer: Russian Football Union.
- Participating teams: Professional clubs from the Russian football league system, typically including all Russian Premier League teams and qualifying clubs from lower tiers.
- Format: Straight knockout rounds, with each tie played as a single match (some early rounds may involve two‑legged ties). Matches that are level after regular time proceed to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot‑out.
- European qualification: The winner normally secures a place in the following season’s UEFA Europa League, subject to the club meeting UEFA licensing requirements.
2014 edition overview
- Season designation: The tournament is commonly referred to as the 2013–14 Russian Cup, as it began in the 2013 calendar year and concluded in 2014.
- Timeline: Preliminary rounds were held in the latter half of 2013, with the later stages (Round of 32 onward) taking place throughout early 2014.
- Final: The championship match was played in May 2014.
Specific details
While the existence of the 2014 Russian Cup is well‑documented, comprehensive, verifiable details regarding participating clubs, match results, the venue of the final, and the identity of the champion are not fully established within the scope of this entry. Consequently, the following points are noted as Insufficient Encyclopedic Information:
- The exact list of clubs that entered the competition in the 2013–14 season.
- The match‑by‑match results for each round of the tournament.
- The official venue and city in which the final was staged.
- The club that ultimately won the 2014 Russian Cup and any subsequent European competition qualification that resulted.
Contextual significance
The Russian Cup is a major domestic trophy in Russian football, offering clubs outside the traditional league champions a pathway to national silverware and European competition. Each annual edition, including the 2014 tournament, contributes to the historical record of Russian football and the development of clubs across the country.
References
- Russian Football Union (RFU) – official competition regulations.
- UEFA competition entry guidelines for national cup winners.
Note: The information provided above reflects the current extent of verified encyclopedic sources concerning the 2014 Russian Cup. Details that remain uncertain are explicitly marked as insufficient.