ESPN Deportes to Present Seven-Hour Block of FIFA Match Day Programming
On Wednesday, Feb. 29, a FIFA international match day, ESPN platforms (ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes) will combine to carry eight matches featuring 16 national teams. Highlights include Italy vs. USA live on ESPN2 and ESPN2 at 2:30 p.m. ET, and matches featuring FIFA No. 1 team Spain and No. 2 Germany, both on ESPN3.
ESPN Deportes, the 24-hour Spanish-language sports network, will provide comprehensive coverage of February 29 FIFA match day with a seven-hour block of live programming that includes two matches – Montenegro vs. Iceland at 11:55 a.m., and Spain vs. Venezuela at 3:30 p.m. – and studio programming, such as one-hour editions of ESPN Futbol Center (11 a.m.) and Los Capitanes (2 p.m.). Highlights:
- ESPN’s lead soccer play-by-play commentator Ian Darke and former U.S. Men’s National Team player Taylor Twellman will call the Italy vs. USA match live from Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa, Italy. The telecast will be Twellman’s first time as a co-commentator with the critically acclaimed Darke. Twellman assumed the role of lead analyst for Major League Soccer and U.S. Men’s National Team matches on ESPN in January 2012;
- ESPN’s award winning news anchor Bob Ley will host, joined in the studio by former England National Team player Steve McManaman and former U.S. Men’s National Team defender Alexi Lalas as analysts.
International Friendlies schedule:
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network(s) |
| Wed, Feb 29 | 12 p.m. | Montenegro vs. Iceland | ESPN3 /ESPN Deportes |
| 2:30 p.m. | Italy vs. USA | ESPN2 / ESPN3 | |
| 2:30 p.m. | Croatia vs. Sweden | ESPN3 | |
| 2:30 p.m. | Greece vs. Belgium | ESPN3 | |
| 2:45 p.m. | Ireland vs. Czech Republic | ESPN3 | |
| 2:45 p.m. | Poland vs. Portugal | ESPN3 | |
| 2:45 p.m. | Germany vs. France | ESPN3 | |
| 3:30 p.m. | Spain vs. Venezuela | ESPN3 /ESPN Deportes |
**All matches and times subject to change
More Soccer on ESPN Platforms: 15 Additional Matches Saturday through Sunday
In addition to the international friendly matches, ESPN media platforms (ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes) will carry 15 matches live beginning Saturday through Sunday. Highlights:
- The clash of current leaders in the Italian Serie A standings – AC Milan, atop with 50 points, hosting Juventus (49 points) at the famous San Siro (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza) in Milan – will be carried on ESPN3;
- ESPN Deportes and ESPN3 will present Rayo Vallecano hosting La Liga giant Real Madrid on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m.
Schedule:
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network(s) |
| Sat, Feb 25 | 11:55 a.m. | Genoa vs. Parma (Serie A) | ESPN3 |
| 12:30 p.m. | Werder Bremen vs. Nuremberg (German Bundesliga) | ESPN3 /ESPN Deportes | |
| 2:40 p.m. | AC Milan vs. Juventus (Serie A) | ESPN3 | |
| 3:15 p.m. | Academica vs. Benfica (Portuguese Liga) | ESPN3 | |
| 4 p.m. | Espanyol vs. Levante (La Liga) | ESPN3 /ESPN Deportes | |
| 5:55 p.m. | Jaguares vs. Tecos (Mexican Primera Division) | ESPN Deportes | |
| 10 p.m. | TBD (Hawaii Island Invitational – 3rd Place) | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, Oct 26 | 12:30 a.m. | TBD (Hawaii Island Invitational – Championship) | ESPN3 |
| 6:30 a.m. | Excelsior Rotterdam vs. Ajax (Dutch Eredivisie) | ESPN3 | |
| 8:30 a.m. | PSV Eindhoven vs. Feyenoord (Dutch Eredivisie) | ESPN3 | |
| 9:30 a.m. | Bayern Munich vs. Schalke 04 (German Bundesliga) | ESPN3 | |
| 10 a.m. | Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid (La Liga) | ESPN3 /ESPN Deportes | |
| 12 p.m. | Valencia vs. Sevilla (La Liga) | ESPN3 /ESPN Deportes | |
| 2:40 p.m. | Napoli vs. Inter Milan (Serie A) | ESPN3 | |
| 2:40 p.m. | Lazio vs. Fiorentina (Serie A) | ESPN3 |
**All matches and times subject to change
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