On April 21, 2026, football fans will witness a highly anticipated clash as Bukovyna Chernivtsi and Dynamo Kyiv face off in the first semi-final of the 2025/2026 Ukrainian Cup. According to the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), the match has been relocated to the Roman Shukhevych City Stadium in Ternopil, as Bukovyna’s home ground does not meet the necessary infrastructure requirements for this advanced stage of the competition. The starting whistle is scheduled for 18:00 local time.
A Historic Journey
In the rich history of the Ukrainian Cup, teams outside the elite division have rarely made it to the semi-finals—achieving this feat only thirteen times. Remarkably, Bukovyna has managed to reach this stage for the second consecutive year. Last season, fate also brought the Chernivtsi-based club face-to-face with Dynamo Kyiv in the semi-finals. Despite a valiant effort, Bukovyna eventually succumbed to a 4:1 defeat. Overall, the capital’s powerhouse has claimed the Ukrainian Cup 13 times and participated in 19 finals. This year, Dynamo aims to secure a spot in their 20th anniversary final.
Contrasting Fortunes in Domestic Leagues
The current form of the two teams presents a fascinating contrast. Bukovyna is enjoying a phenomenal season under the guidance of head coach Serhiy Shyshchenko. In the First League, they are virtually unstoppable, boasting an undefeated record of 21 wins and 3 draws in 24 rounds. Last weekend, they mathematically secured their promotion to the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) for the upcoming season. Furthermore, the “yellow-blacks” remain unbeaten in all official matches in 2026. On their journey to the semi-finals, they eliminated UPL side LNZ Cherkasy in a tense penalty shootout and knocked out Karpaty Lviv.
Conversely, Dynamo Kyiv is enduring a difficult campaign in the domestic league. The renowned club currently sits in fifth place, trailing the leaders by a significant margin. With their championship hopes practically dashed, winning the Ukrainian Cup remains their most viable path to salvaging the season and securing direct qualification for European competitions, particularly the UEFA Europa League.
Voices from the Camp
Players from both camps are fully focused on the task ahead. Bukovyna forward Oleh Kozhushko remains optimistic: “We are preparing for this cup match with a positive mindset, believing we can defeat Dynamo. Last year’s semi-final taught us a crucial lesson: it is entirely possible to play and win against this opponent. We looked good back then, but we lacked experience and tactical patience. After taking the lead, we pushed for another goal when we should have played more cautiously.”
Meanwhile, Dynamo defender Vladyslav Dubinchak highlighted his team’s determination: “We will do everything possible to win and reach the Cup final. Bukovyna will undoubtedly try to beat us too. I expect it to be a very important and interesting game for both teams.”
While analysts unanimously consider Dynamo the clear favorite due to their superior squad quality and experience, cup football is famously unpredictable. Bukovyna has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain, promising an exciting and hard-fought battle on the pitch in Ternopil.