Thursday, May 23, 2013

Fox outlines UEFA Champions broadcast plans

FOX is wasting no time in promoting the UEFA Champions Championship, as Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich prepare to battle this Saturday. Coverage will begin with a pregame followed by the actual game on Fox Sports. Fox Soccer will air postgame commentary. Here is the press release outlining this Saturday's event from FOX Sports. 

FOX SPORTS TO BROADCAST FIRST-EVER ALL-GERMAN
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL THIS SATURDAY

Extensive Pre- and Post-game Coverage Live From London; Brad Friedel Added

Gus Johnson and Warren Barton Call Match from Historic Wembley Stadium

LOS ANGELES – On Saturday, all eyes of the soccer world are on the one game and two 
remaining teams in the 2013 UEFA Champions League competition, the world’s most-watched 
elite club soccer competition. German powerhouses Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund 
square-off at London’s Wembley Stadium for the world’s most coveted club prize, broadcast live 
on FOX, Saturday, May 25, with broadcast coverage beginning at 2:00 PM ET. FOX Sports’ 
renowned play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson calls the action, alongside FOX Soccer analyst 
and former England international Warren Barton, live from London. 

In addition, FOX Soccer’s Rob Stone hosts on-site pregame, halftime and post-game coverage 
with FOX Soccer analysts and former United States National Team players Eric Wynalda and 
Brian McBride. During his playing days, Wynalda became the first American-born player to 
compete and receive honors for a top level German club in the Bundesliga. The broadcast team 
is also joined by U.S. international and Tottenham goalkeeper, Brad Friedel. FOX Soccer’s 
coverage begins with a one-hour pre-game show at 1:00 PM ET followed by FOX Sports’ overthe-air programming. Coverage features comprehensive news, analysis and an exclusive 
interview with German legend Jurgen Klinsmann, former Bayern Munich manager and current 
head coach of the United States Men’s National Team. 

The UEFA Champions League post-game show on FOX Soccer airs immediately following 
FOX's coverage of the match at approximately 5:00 PM ET, followed by encore presentations of 
the final match at 8:00 PM ET Saturday night, and at 7:00 PM ET on Sunday, May 26 on FOX 
Soccer Plus. 

“It’s going to be a very exciting game, a great atmosphere and two very offensive teams,” 
Barton said. “Bayern has the experience and Dortmund is the underdog, but it’s a final; a oneoff. All in all, it will be one to remember.” 

Completing two of the most stunning victories in UEFA Champions League history, both Bayern 
Munich and Borussia Dortmund are riding significant momentum into London, after knocking out 
heavily favored Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in the semifinals. 

The Bavarian giants appear in their third final in four years, after a resounding 7-0 aggregate 
thrashing of Lionel Messi and Barcelona. Dominant, but unable to seal the title since 2001, this 
German squad is hungry to capitalize on Saturday, following last year’s final defeat in 
devastating fashion in penalty kicks at their home stadium. Bolstered by midfielders Arjen 
Robben and Thomas Muller, one of Europe’s most potent attacks is on the cusp of glory yet 
again. 

Local rivals, Dortmund, are considered newcomers to this stage of the tournament, with their 
last and only appearance in a European final back in 1997, when they walked away with the 
trophy, and are a force to be reckoned with now. Striker Robert Lewandowski leads his side with 
10 goals in the UEFA Champions League, four of those goals coming against Real Madrid in 
their semifinal victory. 

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund faced each other in the Bundesliga earlier this month 
and battled to a 1-1 draw. A dress rehearsal of sorts perhaps, but with Bayern already crowned 
the league champions prior to that match, this Saturday’s Champions League Final is set to be 
the ultimate showpiece. 

-- FOX SPORTS MEDIA GROUP ---  

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