2022–23 Bulgarian Cup

The 2022–23 Bulgarian Cup was the 41st official edition of the Bulgarian annual football knockout tournament. It is sponsored by Sesame and known as the Sesame Kupa na Bulgaria for sponsorship purposes.[1] The competition began on 21 September 2022 with the preliminary round and finished with the final on 24 May 2023.[2] Levski Sofia were the defending cup winners, but were eliminated by Ludogorets Razgrad in the round of 16, who went on to win the cup for their 3rd overall. As Ludogorets were already assured of a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League via their league performance, the cup's European berth was passed to the third-placed team in the 2022–23 First League.

2022–23 Bulgarian Cup
Sesame Купа на България
Tournament details
CountryBulgaria
Teams47
Final positions
ChampionsLudogorets Razgrad (3rd title)
Runner-upCSKA 1948 Sofia
Tournament statistics
Matches played48
Goals scored140 (2.92 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Ukraine Yevheniy Serdyuk
Netherlands Elvis Manu
Bulgaria Ivaylo Chochev
(3 goals each)

All statistics correct as of 24 May 2023.

Participating clubs

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The following 47 teams qualified for the competition:[3]

2022–23 First League
16 clubs
2022–23 Second League
15 non-reserve clubs
Winners of regional qualifiers
16 clubs

Arda Kardzhali
Beroe Stara Zagora
Botev Plovdiv
Botev Vratsa
CSKA 1948 Sofia
CSKA Sofia
Cherno More Varna
Hebar Pazardzhik
Levski Sofia
Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Lokomotiv Sofia
Ludogorets Razgrad
Pirin Blagoevgrad
Septemvri Sofia
Slavia Sofia
Spartak Varna

Belasitsa Petrich
Dobrudzha Dobrich
Dunav Ruse
Etar Veliko Tarnovo
Krumovgrad
Litex Lovech
Maritsa Plovdiv
Minyor Pernik
Montana
Sozopol
Spartak Pleven
Sportist Svoge
Strumska Slava Radomir
Vitosha Bistritsa
Yantra Gabrovo

from North-East zone:

from North-West zone:

from South-West zone:

from South-East zone:

Matches

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Preliminary round

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The draw was conducted on 2 September 2022.[4] The games were played on 22 September 2022.[5] In this stage participated the 16 winners from the regional amateur competitions and 15 non-reserve teams from the Second League. During the draw, Chernomorets Balchik received a bye to the round of 32.

22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Yambol (III)0−0 (a.e.t.)
(1−4 p)
Spartak Pleven (II) Yambol
16:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Stadion Nikolay Laskov
Referee: Myumyun Mehmed (Burgas)
Penalties
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Rozova Dolina Kazanlak (III) 3−0Yantra Gabrovo (II)Kazanlak
16:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Stadion Sevtopolis
Referee: Stanislav Lazarov (Burgas)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa (III)1−3 (a.e.t.) Minyor Pernik (II) Gorna Oryahovitsa
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Lokomotiv
Referee: Stilyan Kolev (Veliko Tarnovo)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Partizan Cherven Bryag (III)0−3 Krumovgrad (II) Cherven Bryag
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Gradski stadion
Referee: Vladimir Kirilov (Pleven)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Vihren Sandanski (III) 2−0Sozopol (II)Sandanski
16:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Stadion Spartak
Referee: Petar Nikolov (Sofia)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Lokomotiv Mezdra (III)0−1 (a.e.t.) Litex Lovech (II) Mezdra
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Stadion Lokomotiv
Referee: Blagoy Manov (Blagoevgrad)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Marek Dupnitsa (III) 2−1 (a.e.t.)Montana (II)Dupnitsa
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Bonchuk
Referee: Ventsislav Mitrev (Sofia)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Sayana Haskovo (III)1−2 Dunav Ruse (II) Haskovo
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Haskovo
Referee: Stefan Gurkov (Sliven)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Chernolomets Popovo (III)1−3 Vitosha Bistritsa (II) Popovo
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Stamo Kostov
Referee: Dimitar Zhelyazkov (Silistra)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Botev Novi Pazar (III)0−3 Sportist Svoge (II) Novi Pazar
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Gradski stadion
Referee: Todor Kirov (Varna)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Gigant Saedinenie (III) 2−1Dobrudzha Dobrich (II)Saedinenie
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Saedinenie
Referee: Ryustem Karagaren (Asenovgrad)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Chavdar Etropole (III) 1−0Belasitsa Petrich (II)Etropole
16:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Stadion Chavdar
Referee: Lyuboslav Lyubomirov (Sofia)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Sevlievo (III) 3−2Etar Veliko Tarnovo (II)Sevlievo
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Rakovski
Referee: Stanimir Todorov (Gabrovo)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Levski-Rakovski Sofia (III)2−3 Maritsa Plovdiv (II) Sofia
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Rakovski
Referee: Lyubomir Vushovski (Sofia)
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Svetkavitsa Targovishte (III)0−6 Strumska Slava Radomir (II) Targovishte
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Stadion Dimitar Burkov
Referee: Boris Popov (Ruse)

Round of 32

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The draw for this round, together with the draw for the round of 16, was conducted on 11 October 2022.[6] The games shall be played between 16 and 27 November 2022.[7][8] In this stage participate the 15 winners from the previous round, Chernomorets Balchik (who received a bye) and the 16 teams from the First League.

16 November 2022 (2022-11-16) Strumska Slava Radomir (II)0−2 Spartak Varna (I) Radomir
13:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Gradski stadion
Referee: Vasil Minev (Sofia)
18 November 2022 (2022-11-18) Rozova Dolina Kazanlak (III)0−2 Ludogorets Razgrad (I) Kazanlak
13:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Sevtopolis
Referee: Krasen Georgiev (Varna)
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Vihren Sandanski (III)1−4 Levski Sofia (I) Sandanski
13:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Spartak
Referee: Ivaylo Nenkov (Sofia)
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Maritsa Plovdiv (II) 4−2Hebar Pazardzhik (I)Plovdiv
13:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Maritsa
Referee: Ventsislav Mitrev (Sofia)
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Dunav Ruse (II)1−2 Arda Kardzhali (I) Ruse
13:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Gradski stadion
Referee: Stoyan Arsov (Sofia)
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Chavdar Etropole (III) 2−0Pirin Blagoevgrad (I)Etropole
13:30 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stadion Chavdar
Referee: Mihael Pavlov (Veliko Tarnovo)
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Sportist Svoge (II)1−2 (a.e.t.) Slavia Sofia (I) Svoge
13:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Chavdar Tsvetkov
Referee: Vasimir El-Hatib (Sofia)
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Vitosha Bistritsa (II) 1−0Botev Vratsa (I)Bistritsa
13:30 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stadion Bistritsa
Referee: Boris Popov (Ruse)
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Spartak Pleven (II)1−4 Lokomotiv Sofia (I) Pleven
13:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Pleven
Referee: Georgi Ginchev (Veliko Tarnovo)
23 November 2022 (2022-11-23) Krumovgrad (II)0−1 Septemvri Sofia (I) Krumovgrad
13:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Krumovgrad
Referee: Stefan Gurkov (Sliven)
25 November 2022 (2022-11-25) Chernomorets Balchik (III)0−3 Botev Plovdiv (I) Balchik
12:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Balchik
Referee: Ivelin Zanev (Ruse)
26 November 2022 (2022-11-26) Gigant Saedinenie (III)1−1 (a.e.t.)
(6−7 p)
CSKA Sofia (I) Saedinenie
12:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Saedinenie
Referee: Dimitar Dimitrov (Sofia)
Penalties
26 November 2022 (2022-11-26) Minyor Pernik (II)0−2 Beroe Stara Zagora (I) Pernik
13:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Minyor
Referee: Petar Kuzev (Gabrovo)
26 November 2022 (2022-11-26) Sevlievo (III)0−4 CSKA 1948 Sofia (I) Sevlievo
13:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Rakovski
Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov (Plovdiv)
27 November 2022 (2022-11-27) Marek Dupnitsa (III)0−1 Lokomotiv Plovdiv (I) Dupnitsa
12:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Bonchuk
Referee: Valentin Zhelezov (Burgas)
27 November 2022 (2022-11-27) Litex Lovech (II)0−2 Cherno More Varna (I) Teteven[note 1]
13:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Georgi Benkovski
Referee: Kristiyan Kolev (Plovdiv)

Round of 16

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The draw was conducted on 11 October 2022, immediately after the draw for the round of 32.[6] The games were played between 26 November and 4 December 2022.[7] In this stage the participants are the 16 winners from the previous round.

26 November 2022 (2022-11-26) Maritsa Plovdiv (II)1−1 (a.e.t.)
(2−3 p)
Arda Kardzhali (I) Plovdiv
13:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Maritsa
Referee: Ivaylo Nenkov (Sofia)
Penalties
27 November 2022 (2022-11-27) Spartak Varna (I) 1−0 (a.e.t.)Chavdar Etropole (III)Varna
13:30 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stadion Spartak
Referee: Georgi Ivanov (Sofia)
28 November 2022 (2022-11-28) Lokomotiv Sofia (I) 3−0Vitosha Bistritsa (II)Sofia
12:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stadion Lokomotiv
Referee: Stanislav Todorov (Shumen)
1 December 2022 (2022-12-01) Septemvri Sofia (I)1−2 CSKA Sofia (I) Sofia
12:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Balgarska Armia[note 2]
Referee: Nikola Popov (Sofia)
2 December 2022 (2022-12-02) Beroe Stara Zagora (I)0−2 CSKA 1948 Sofia (I) Stara Zagora
12:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Beroe
Referee: Dragomir Draganov (Varna)
3 December 2022 (2022-12-03) Slavia Sofia (I) 2−1Botev Plovdiv (I)Sofia
12:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov
Referee: Georgi Ginchev (Veliko Tarnovo)
3 December 2022 (2022-12-03) Cherno More Varna (I) 3−1Lokomotiv Plovdiv (I)Varna
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Ticha
Referee: Stanimir Trenchev (Sofia)
4 December 2022 (2022-12-04) Ludogorets Razgrad (I) 2−1Levski Sofia (I)Razgrad
13:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Huvepharma Arena
Referee: Georgi Davidov (Veliko Tarnovo)

Quarter-finals

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The draw was conducted on 12 December 2022.[9] The games were played between 3 and 5 April 2023.[10] In this stage the participants are the 8 winners from the previous round.

3 April 2023 (2023-04-03) Lokomotiv Sofia 2−1Slavia SofiaSofia
18:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Lokomotiv
Referee: Georgi Kabakov (Plovdiv)
4 April 2023 (2023-04-04) Ludogorets Razgrad 2−1Spartak VarnaRazgrad
17:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Huvepharma Arena
Referee: Vladimir Valkov (Plovdiv)
4 April 2023 (2023-04-04) CSKA Sofia1−2 Cherno More Varna Sofia
20:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Balgarska Armia
Referee: Georgi Dimitrov (Sofia)
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Arda Kardzhali0−1 (a.e.t.) CSKA 1948 Sofia Kardzhali
18:30 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Arena Arda
Referee: Valentin Zhelezov (Burgas)

Semi-finals

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The draw was conducted on 6 April 2023.[11] The first legs were played on 25 and 26 April, while the second legs were scheduled for 10 and 11 May 2023.[12] From this season onwards, the away goals rule will not apply in accordance with the generally accepted regulations in European football.

First legs

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25 April 2023 (2023-04-25) Cherno More Varna 1−2 Ludogorets Razgrad Varna
18:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Ticha
Referee: Volen Chinkov (Sofia)
26 April 2023 (2023-04-26) Lokomotiv Sofia 2−3 CSKA 1948 Sofia Sofia
18:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Lokomotiv
Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov (Plovdiv)

Second legs

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10 May 2023 (2023-05-10) CSKA 1948 Sofia 2−2 (a.e.t.)
(5−4 agg.)
Lokomotiv SofiaBistritsa
19:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadion Bistritsa
Referee: Georgi Kabakov (Plovdiv)
11 May 2023 (2023-05-11) Ludogorets Razgrad 1−2 (a.e.t.)
(3−3 agg.)
(4−1 p)
Cherno More VarnaRazgrad
19:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Huvepharma Arena
Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov (Plovdiv)
Penalties

Final

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CSKA 1948 Sofia1–3Ludogorets Razgrad
Report
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Dragomir Draganov (Varna)

Bracket

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Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
                
2 Spartak Pleven 1
1 Lokomotiv Sofia 4
1 Lokomotiv Sofia 3
2 Vitosha Bistritsa 0
2 Vitosha Bistritsa 1
1 Botev Vratsa 0
1 Lokomotiv Sofia 2
1 Slavia Sofia 1
2 Sportist Svoge 1
1 Slavia Sofia (a.e.t.) 2
1 Slavia Sofia 2
1 Botev Plovdiv 1
3 Chernomorets Balchik 0
1 Botev Plovdiv 3
1 Lokomotiv Sofia 2 2
1 CSKA 1948 Sofia (a.e.t.) 3 2
2 Maritsa Plovdiv 4
1 Hebar Pazardzhik 2
2 Maritsa Plovdiv 1 (2)
1 Arda Kardzhali (p) 1 (3)
2 Dunav Ruse 1
1 Arda Kardzhali 2
1 Arda Kardzhali 0
1 CSKA 1948 Sofia (a.e.t.) 1
2 Minyor Pernik 0
1 Beroe Stara Zagora 2
1 Beroe Stara Zagora 0
1 CSKA 1948 Sofia 2
3 Sevlievo 0
1 CSKA 1948 Sofia 4
1 CSKA 1948 Sofia 1
1 Ludogorets Razgrad 3
2 Krumovgrad 0
1 Septemvri Sofia 1
1 Septemvri Sofia 1
1 CSKA Sofia 2
3 Gigant Saedinenie 1 (6)
1 CSKA Sofia (p) 1 (7)
1 CSKA Sofia 1
1 Cherno More Varna 2
2 Litex Lovech 0
1 Cherno More Varna 2
1 Cherno More Varna 3
1 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1
3 Marek Dupnitsa 0
1 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1
1 Cherno More Varna 1 2 (1)
1 Ludogorets Razgrad (p) 2 1 (4)
3 Rozova Dolina Kazanlak 0
1 Ludogorets Razgrad 2
1 Ludogorets Razgrad 2
1 Levski Sofia 1
3 Vihren Sandanski 1
1 Levski Sofia 4
1 Ludogorets Razgrad 2
1 Spartak Varna 1
2 Strumska Slava Radomir 0
1 Spartak Varna 2
1 Spartak Varna (a.e.t.) 1
3 Chavdar Etropole 0
3 Chavdar Etropole 2
1 Pirin Blagoevgrad 0

Notes

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  1. ^ Litex plays their first round home match at Stadion Georgi Benkovski, Teteven, instead of their regular stadium Gradski stadion in Lovech, which is undergoing renovation works.
  2. ^ Septemvri will play their round of 16 home game at Stadion Balgarska Armia, Sofia, instead of their regular stadium Stadion Septemvri, Sofia, which does not meet the BFU requirements.

References

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  1. ^ "Купата на България има нов генерален спонсор, турнирът сменя името си" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Календар сезон 2022/2023" (PDF) (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Bulgarian Cup 2022–23 - Final Phase". bulgarian-football.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Станаха ясни всички съперници във втория предварителен кръг на SESAME Купа на България". dsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Решение СТК 16.09.2022 г". bfunion.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Потенциален 1/8-финал между Лудогорец и Левски за Sesame Купа на България". dsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Решение СТК 02.11.2022 г". bfunion.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Решение СТК 08.11.2022 г". bfunion.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Фаворитите се разминаха за SESAME Купа на България". dsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Решение СТК 02.03.2023 г". bfunion.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Столично дерби и нов сблъсък между Черно море и Лудогорец на 1/2-финалите за Купата". dsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Решение СТК 10.04.2023 г". bfunion.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 10 April 2023.