Odesa's "Chornomorets" has officially returned to the elite of Ukrainian football after a year-long absence. However, the debut match in the new UPL-2026/27 season proved to be a tough test for the "sailors." At home, the Odesa team hosted Zhytomyr's "Polissya" — the reigning bronze medalist of the championship, which sought redemption after being eliminated from the Conference League.
Early success for the Odesa team and a counter-attack
The first half began with total dominance by the visitors. The Zhytomyr team controlled the ball and created threats near the opponent's goal, yet it was the hosts who opened the scoring. In the 13th minute, Georgian legionary of Chornomorets, Giorgi Robakidze, organized a sharp counter-attack. He made a precise pass and then scored a treacherous long-range shot himself. The visitors' goalkeeper, Heorhiy Bushchan, could not handle the strike, and the score became 1:0 in favor of the Odesa team.
The conceded goal forced "Polissya" to step up their game. The team reorganized and began pressing the opponent on their half of the field. In the 32nd minute, the efforts of the Zhytomyr players paid off: Vladyslav Velykan scored a beautiful dribbling shot into the far corner of the goal. Before the break, the visitors had several more chances to take the lead, but the teams went into halftime with a draw — 1:1.
Second half: Polissya's dominance
At the start of the second half, the Zhytomyr team capitalized on their advantage. In the 51st minute, Igor Krasnopir, who had just come on as a substitute, headed home a precise cross from Velykan on the left flank, putting "Polissya" ahead. This goal became the turning point of the match.
The Odesa team attempted to respond to the opponent's attacks. In particular, a dangerous shot by Vitaliy Faraseenko was confidently saved by Bushchan. However, the visitors completely controlled the flow of the game. "Polissya" had several more excellent opportunities to extend their lead — Alexander Nazarenko and Maksym Bragaru could have scored additional goals, but the team confidently steered the match to a victorious finish.
Results of the opening round
Polissya's victory sent an important signal to all participants of the championship. The Zhytomyr team proved that they are ready to fight for top positions, despite their failures in European competitions. For "Chornomorets," this match served as a lesson: returning to the elite requires not only motivation but also consistent performance throughout the entire season.
The upcoming rounds of the UPL-2026/27 promise to be no less exciting. The full schedule of matches and broadcasts for the first round has already been published on the official UPL website.
