Koprivnica pulled off a surprise victory in the Round of 64, beating Svačić Stari Slatnik 3-2 away from home on Wednesday evening. The result sends the visitors into the next stage of the Cup, while Svačić's campaign comes to a premature end.
What might have been expected as a straightforward evening for the home side turned into something more complicated. Koprivnica took the lead, then Svačić fought back, and eventually the visitors found a way through. By then it was clear this wasn't going to be one of those matches where the stronger side cruised.
For Koprivnica this result carries weight beyond the immediate occasion. They had been struggling — three defeats in their previous four outings before that 5-3 win over Zagora on Monday. To be fair, winning away in the Cup against a side you're not necessarily fancied to beat is a different kind of lift. They ended a barren spell, if not a barren season.
The match itself offered little beyond the scoreline. No detailed breakdown was available — no goalscorers, no minutes, no statistics to work with. Sometimes a result speaks without needing elaboration, and this was one of those evenings.
Svačić Stari Slatnik will have to reflect on what happened, though there's not much to analyse without more data. Koprivnica, meanwhile, move forward with momentum and something to build on. The Cup remains open for them, and at least now they have a win to point to.
