The first round of the new UPL season was memorable not only for sporting events but also for a historic moment for the Khmelnytskyi region. For the first time since 1995, a top-flight match was held in the region — "Epicenter" hosted "Obolon" in Kamianets-Podilskyi. The hosts secured a convincing 3:0 victory, with goalkeeper Nikita Fedotov playing a key role by keeping a clean sheet.
Historic match and fan emotions
For the club and the city, this match was a true celebration. In an interview with Sport RBC.UA, Nikita Fedotov admitted that the atmosphere before the whistle was charged with special emotions: "There were very positive emotions because the fans were eagerly awaiting the team's return to their home walls. For us, too, this was a responsible moment that we were waiting for." According to the goalkeeper, fan support was one of the main factors in the team's success in their debut home match of the season.
Spanish experience and goalkeeping style
Nikita Fedotov is one of the few Ukrainian goalkeepers with experience playing in Spain. It was there that he honed his footwork skills, which are now considered essential for a modern goalkeeper. "This is a skill I train, but there is still room for active improvement. We are working a lot on this aspect right now with our goalkeeping coach and the team," Fedotov noted. He emphasized that in modern football, a goalkeeper must be practically the first playmaker, capable of confidently starting attacks with short passes.
Goalkeeper psychology: waiting for a chance
Last season, Fedotov was not the starting goalkeeper, but when he got his chance at the end of the championship, he immediately made his mark — notably by saving a penalty in the match against "Polissya." "I waited a very long time for my chance after the game against 'Dynamo'. You have to deal with this mentally, because that is the fate of goalkeepers: you may wait a long time for your chance, but you must always be ready for it," he said. Despite playing only four matches in the UPL last season, Fedotov is confident that this is just the beginning of his career in Ukrainian football.
Team atmosphere and the role of foreign players
There are currently several Spanish-speaking footballers playing for "Epicenter," and Fedotov plays an important role in their adaptation. "We have many Spaniards, but we get along well with them. There is a good atmosphere. Someone talks to them in English, I talk to them in Spanish," he shared. The goalkeeper admitted that his experience in Spain helps him be a "connecting link" between the coaches and the foreign players, facilitating communication and the integration of new players into the team.
Comparing Ukrainian and Spanish football
Upon returning to Ukraine, Fedotov noticed significant differences in the style of play. "Ukrainian football looks physically stronger, there is more struggle here, and the nature of the game is tougher. In Spain, this is found in the lower leagues. But in the Segunda and Primera, where there are more qualified footballers, of course, there is more technical football," he commented. At the same time, he emphasized that the mentality in Spain changed him for the better, especially in terms of discipline and approach to training.
Contradictory data
Source ID 1 (sports.ru) mentions the "Epicenter" – "Obolon" match as an event of the 12th round of the Ukrainian championship. However, the main text of the interview and the context of the article refer to the first round of the season. This contradiction requires clarification: it could be about different seasons or an error in the source. At the moment, based on the interview and the publication date (August 8, 2026), it is more logical to assume that the match took place in the first round, as the season has just begun.
Goals for the season and looking to the future
Nikita Fedotov did not reveal specific goals for the season but emphasized that the team strives to play short passes even under high pressure — this is the coach's requirement, to which all players have already adapted. "We try to play exactly like that when there is an opportunity," he added. "Epicenter" has a match against Chernihiv LNZ ahead, and Fedotov is confident that the team will continue to demonstrate confident play, especially in defense.
