ESPN Shuffles FIFA Confederation Cup Matches

ESPN has decided to move the two Group A Confederation Cup matches for Saturday. Italy vs. Brazil which was originally scheduled to air on ESPNews will now air on ESPN at 2:30 p.m. ET. Japan-Mexico which is totally meaningless for the Group will be moved to ESPNews and will also air at 2:30 p.m.

The great Ian Darke will call Italy vs. Brazil. He’ll be joined by Stewart Robson as they call the game off a monitor in Bristol, CT. They’ll eventually travel to Brazil for the semifinals and final.

Here’s the ESPN announcement.

FIFA 2013 Confederations CupFIFA Confederations Cup Update: Critical Italy-Brazil Match Moved to ESPN

ESPN and ESPNEWS will swap FIFA Confederations Cup matches on Saturday, June 22, at 2:30 p.m. ET.  The Italy vs. Brazil matchup, previously scheduled to air on ESPNEWS, will move to ESPN. Japan vs. Mexico, the matchup between two Group A teams that have been eliminated from the competition, will be on ESPNEWS.

Both matches are final group stage match and will be aired concurrently on the two networks.

Italy vs. Brazil pits the two most-accomplished teams in FIFA World Cup history.  Brazil has won a record five World Cup titles; Italy has four.  On Saturday, the teams will playing for the top spot in Group A and a chance to avoid meeting 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2012 champions Spain in the first semifinal match of the Confederations Cup on Wednesday, June 26 at 2:30 p.m.

FIFA Confederations Cup Schedule and Commentators (subject to change):

Date Time (ET) Matchup Networks
Sat, June 22 2:30 p.m. Studio: Bob Ley, Roberto Martinez, Rubens Pozzi and Jose Antonio Noriega ESPNEWS
Japan vs. Mexico
Fernando Palomo and Alejandro Moreno
ESPNEWS/WatchESPN
  2:30 p.m. Italy vs. Brazil
Ian Darke and Stewart Robson
ESPN/WatchESPN
Sun, June 23 2:30 p.m. Studio: Bob Ley, Alexi Lalas, Roberto Martinez and Steve McManaman ESPN/WatchESPN
Nigeria vs. Spain
Ian Darke and Robson
ESPN/WatchESPN
  2:30 p.m. Uruguay vs. Tahiti
Fernando Palomo and Alejandro Moreno
ESPN2/WatchESPN

That is all.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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