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’ over-the-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 one-off. 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.
