The 2011–12 Ukrainian Cup is the 21st annual season of Ukraine's football knockout competition, and fourth under the name of DATAGROUP – Football Ukraine Cup. The Cup begins with two preliminary rounds, before the first round proper involving the Premier League clubs. The draw for both the preliminary rounds was held on July 7, 2011. The First Preliminary Round consists of teams from Druha Liha and Amateur Cup finalists. In the Second Preliminary Round teams of the Persha Liha enter the competition. Sixteen teams, the winners of the 2nd preliminary round, enter the First Round proper or the Round of 32 where the Premier League teams enter the competition for the first time. The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League. Shakhtar Donetsk were the defending Ukrainian Cup champions and as a member of the Premier League enter the competition in the Round of 32. Shakhtar Donetsk retained the cup by defeating FC Metalurh Donetsk 2–1 in the final. Team allocation Fifty eight teams entered the Ukrainian Cup competition. Distribution Round and draw dates All draws held at FFU headquarters (Building of Football) in Kyiv unless stated otherwise. Competition schedule First Preliminary Round (1/64) In this round entered 18 clubs from the Druha Liha, the finalists of Ukrainian Amateur Cup. The round matches were played on July 16, 2011. Notes: Makiyivvuhillya Makiyivka were drawn to play away against Bastion Illichivsk but they withdrew from the professional ranks prior to the start of the 2011–12 season. Makiyivvuhillya Makiyivka received a bye. Slovkhlib Slovyansk were drawn to play at home against Zhytychi Zhytomyr but they failed attestation and were not admitted to the PFL. Slovkhlib Slovyansk received a bye. Desna Chernihiv were drawn to play at home against Nyva Ternopil but they withdrew from the Cup competition having not completed attestation awaiting their status in the PFL. Desna Chernihiv received a bye. Second Preliminary Round (1/32) In this round entered all 17 clubs from Persha Liha (except Dynamo-2 Kyiv) and the higher seeded 5 clubs and those clubs which received byes from the Druha Liha. They were drawn against the 7 winners of the First Preliminary Round. The second round matches were played on August 17, 2011. Note: Match played 16 August 2011. Match not played. Nyva Vinnytsia informed the PFL that the club was having financial difficulties and would not arrive for the