So, in the starting round we have:

Group A

July 27. "Bukovina" — "Niva" T.

July 28. "Niva" B — "Agrobusiness", "Carpathians" — "Hust".

July 29. "Prikarpattia" — "Podillia", "Metalist" — "Epizentrum".

Group B

July 27. FSK "Mariupol" — "Victoria".

July 28. "Metallurg" — "Kremenchuk", "Left Bank" — "Girnyk-Sport".

July 29. "Chernihiv" — "Dinaz", "Ingulets" — "Poltava".

Based on the results of the first stage, two groups of ten teams each will be formed. Participants in these groups will compete for promotion to a higher league and retention in the first division accordingly.

The top two teams in the league will receive tickets to the UPL. Those finishing third and fourth will play transitional matches against clubs occupying 14th and 13th positions in the elite division, respectively.

A fierce battle is expected for survival as well. The first league will directly lose three relegation-threatened teams (18th to 20th places), while those finishing in 16th and 17th positions will play transitional matches against opponents finishing third and second, respectively, in the second league.

Before the start, experts highly rate Lviv's "Carpathians" chances for victory. It is worth noting that they concluded their preparatory period with benevolent matches — the proceeds will be donated to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

The chances of Zaporizhzhia's "Metallurg", which will base and host opponents in Uman this new season, are also highly rated.

In the opinion of experts, Group A has a more even composition, so a sharper battle is expected there. Unfortunately, due to injuries in the first rounds, "Prikarpattia" will not be helped by leaders — Vasyl Tsytsura and Vasyl Frantsuz, while the captain of "Bukovina", Vasyl Hakhman, continues his career with elite "Veres".

Before the start, a coaching staff was formed for "Victoria" which decided to resume playing in the first league. Head coach Anatoliy Bezsmertnyi will be assisted by Volodymyr Romanenko, fitness trainer Oleh Boroday, goalkeeper trainer Ruslan Zarubin and Roman Pakholuk who will be responsible for scouting.

In the final friendly match, "Victoria" confidently defeated second-league "Zvyahel" (2:0) and set off with a good mood to face FSK "Mariupol".