Photos of ESPN UEFA EURO 2016 commentators

Vincent Kompany Joins ESPN for UEFA EURO 2016 Coverage

Vincent Kompany, Belgium National Team and Manchester City FC captain, will join ESPN as a studio analyst for the UEFA European Football Championship 2016 (June 10 – July 10). Kompany is unavailable to represent Belgium due to a thigh injury sustained during Manchester City’s 2015-2016 Premier League campaign.

Kompany will contribute to ESPN’s studio team in Paris that includes other football greats: 1998 FIFA World Cup champion Frank Leboeuf, former German National Team captain Michael Ballack, former Everton manager Roberto Martinez, former England National Team and Real Madrid player Steve McManaman, former Chelsea FC and Scottish National Team midfielder Craig Burley, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Abby Wambach, former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Kasey Keller, former Argentina and Real Madrid player Santiago Solari, and former U.S. Men’s National Team striker Taylor Twellman. Kompany is also working as a pundit for the BBC.

Kompany led Manchester City to its first Premier League title in 44 years during the 2011-12 season – the same year he was picked to captain the team. He is highly sought-after in the media for his football knowledge and insight. Kompany has played in 70 matches for the Belgian National Team, and is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation.

ESPN and ESPN Deportes Commentator Assignments for UEFA EURO 2016

ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of the UEFA European Football Championship 2016 (June 10-July 10) will feature all 51 matches televised live in English on ESPN or ESPN2, as well as 46 matches live with six tape-delayed in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.   Additional coverage includes ESPN3, WatchESPN and ESPN Deportes Radio, which will carry live the title match on July 10.  Today, ESPN senior coordinating producer Amy Rosenfeld announced the ESPN commentator assignments for the group stage of the tournament. Highlights:

Key matchups in the group stage:

• Ian Darke, Taylor Twellman and reporter Steve Bower (ESPN), and Fernando Palomo and Tato Noriega will call France vs. Romania, the tournament opening match Friday, June 10, as France seeks to win the third straight international soccer competition it has hosted (UEFA EURO 1984 and 1998 FIFA World Cup);
• Rivals Germany-Poland meet Thursday, June 16 – Germany looking to revenge its first loss ever to Poland during a qualifying match for UEFA EURO 2016 in October 2014. Jon Champion and Stewart Robson (ESPN Deportes – Palomo and Noriega) will call the match;
• England-Wales (Thursday, June 16) – a rare matchup of familiar United Kingdom foes in international soccer – will feature the English-language trio of Darke, Steve McManaman and reporter Jeremy Schaap, with the team of Richard Mendez, Hernan Pereyra and Martin Ainstein providing Spanish-language commentary;
• Spain’s La Liga midfield duo Luca Modric (Real Madrid) and Ivan Rakitic (Barca) will lead Croatia to face Spain on Tuesday, June 21. SportsCenter anchor Max Bretos and Alejandro Moreno will call the match in English. Palomo, Noriega and Manu Martin will handle Spanish commentary.

Match schedule with assignments (Subject to change):

*** Simultaneous matches on ESPN Deportes tape delayed

*** ESPN Deportes match coverage will begin at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

*** ESPN and ESPN2 match coverage begins at 8:30, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

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