"The 2022-23 season has become a real challenge for the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL)" said Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF).
"Matches were played when the war was raging in the country. But it will forever go down in world football history as an example of the true courage of all who took part in it" There is not the slightest bit of exaggeration in his words.
The war was gaining momentum and it seemed that the new season would not happen in Ukraine as 26 professional clubs, including top-flight sides Mariupol and Desna, announced they could not compete. But the country's leadership decided otherwise.
The start of the UPL became possible thanks to the political will of the President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a full-scale war, security came to the fore. According to the Special Protocol, teams played behind closed doors and, during matches, players and all participants were ordered to immediately hide in bomb shelters in stadiums at the sound of an air alarm.
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
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Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
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Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
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AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
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Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
