Zenit and Sibir reach Russian showpiece

Aleksei Medvedev scored a hat-trick as FC Sibir Novosibirsk beat fellow Premier-Liga newcomers FC Alania Vladikavkaz to reach next month's Russian Cup final.

Medvedev struck all the goals in a 3-0 win for Sibir, which assures them of a place in the formative stages of next season's UEFA Europa League. They are due that berth courtesy of their final opponents, FC Zenit St. Petersburg, who will line up in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round as a result of last term's third-place league finish.

Luciano Spalletti's side were held to a goalless draw after 120 minutes of their semi-final against FC Amkar Perm but went through thanks to a 4-2 victory on penalties. The final will take place at the Olimp 2 Stadium in Rostov-on-Don on 16 May.