The players of Sileks and Shkëndija Tetovo will play the Macedonian Cup final tonight at 20:00 at the Todor Proeski Arena.
In tonight’s clash, the Kratovo side will attempt to win the trophy in this competition for the fourth time in their club history, while Shkëndija have two cups in their collection and are aiming for a third.
If Sileks manage to claim the throne, they will draw level with Rabotnichki in terms of trophies won and share third place on the all-time list of the most successful teams in the Cup.
On the other hand, with a potential triumph, Shkëndija will join Sloga Jugomagnat, Sileks and Makedonija GP, who have each celebrated victory in the grand final three times.
For both teams, this will be their sixth appearance in the decisive match for the Cup trophy.
Sileks last played in the final in 2022, when they were defeated by Makedonija GP after a better performance in the penalty shootout, while just one year earlier they won their most recent trophy by defeating Akademija Pandev, also on penalties.
Shkëndija last appeared in the final in 2018, when they triumphed over Pelister, while one season earlier the Tetovo side were defeated by the Bitola team, also after a penalty shootout.
Sileks played their first final in the club’s history in 1994. The Kratovo side were then more successful than Pelister, while the following year they were defeated by Vardar in the final.
Sileks won their second trophy in 1997, following a 4:1 triumph in the clash with Sloga Jugomagnat.
Shkëndija first had the chance to triumph in the Cup 20 years ago. In their first final appearance, the Tetovo side were beaten 3:2 in the clash with Makedonija GP. In 2013, they reached the final again, but city rivals Teteks prevailed, also after a better performance in the penalty shootout.
The Tetovo side won the first of their two trophies exactly one decade ago, following a 2:0 victory over Rabotnichki.
Both teams began their path to the grand final in the first knockout round.
Sileks opened their campaign with a 7:1 away victory over Evrotip, while Shkëndija triumphed 9:0 over Jeni Maale.
In the round of 16, Sileks defeated Bashkimi 2:1 in Kumanovo, while Shkëndija eliminated Tikvesh with a 2:0 victory.
To reach the semi-finals, Sileks recorded a 3:0 victory over Detonit Plachkovica, while Shkëndija defeated Struga Trim & Lum 3:2 away from home.
In the semi-finals, Sileks drew 1:1 in the first leg away to Ohrid, before winning 1:0 in the return leg.
Shkëndija Tetovo were more successful than Shkëndija Aračinovo on both occasions. They won the first match 3:2 at home, while they triumphed 2:0 in the second encounter.
In the three matches played during the current season, Shkëndija have two victories: the first in Tetovo by 2:0, followed by a 2:1 away win in Kratovo. In the last encounter, Sileks were again the hosts, and this time the two teams scored one goal each.
The 33rd Macedonian Cup final will be played at the Todor Proeski Arena, beginning at 20:00.
