Sunderland v AZ Alkmaar live on TNT Sports and BBC Radio: who is commentating on the Europa League clash?
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Sunderland return to European action on Wednesday evening with a UEFA Europa League meeting against AZ Alkmaar, and British fans have a packed line-up of TV and radio coverage to choose from. In the UK, the game is being shown live on TNT Sports 1 HD and TNT Sports Ultimate 4K, with Jules Breach presenting the main broadcast before Jamie Lyall and Lucy Ward take over commentary duties.
The build-up on TNT Sports is strengthened by an experienced pundit team. Former Sunderland and England striker Kevin Phillips, ex-England defender Joleon Lescott, analyst Andy Brassell and club favourite Jimmy Montgomery are all involved, while Olivia Buzaglo reports from pitchside. The coverage is also available through HBO Max in the UK, reflecting the modern mix of TV and streaming options around major European football.
For listeners, BBC Radio 5 Live carries the match with Gary Bennett as pundit and Rob Law reporting, while BBC Radio Newcastle offers a more local flavour with Nick Barnes on commentary alongside Bennett. talkSPORT also has Paul Mitchell reporting, giving supporters plenty of ways to follow the action if they are unable to watch it live.
The broadcast team on TNT Sports includes some familiar and trusted voices. Jules Breach has become one of the most recognisable presenters in British football television, with lead presenting roles across TNT Sports, Channel 4 and other major broadcasters. Her rise has mirrored the growth of women at the top of football broadcasting, and she is now a regular anchor for the biggest European nights.
There is also a strong Sunderland connection in the line-up, none more so than Gary Bennett. The former defender joined Sunderland in 1984 and made 369 league appearances for the club, becoming one of the most respected figures of his era. He was part of the side that reached both the 1985 League Cup Final and the 1992 FA Cup Final, and his deep knowledge of the Black Cats makes him a natural fit for local and national radio coverage alike.
Jamie Lyall and Lucy Ward have established themselves as reliable voices on TNT Sports’ football output, particularly in European competition. Lyall has become a regular lead commentator for major live sport, while Ward is widely respected for her sharp tactical analysis and clear, conversational style. Together, they bring an informed and modern broadcast feel to the match.
The punditry group also adds useful experience. Kevin Phillips remains one of Sunderland’s most famous modern forwards, having won the European Golden Shoe in 2000 after a sensational Premier League season with the club. Joleon Lescott brings top-level defensive insight from a career that included England caps and Premier League success, while Andy Brassell is known for his European football expertise across club competitions. Jimmy Montgomery, meanwhile, is forever linked with Sunderland history as the goalkeeper whose Wembley heroics helped define the club’s cup legacy.
On the radio side, Nick Barnes is a long-standing Sunderland voice, closely associated with local coverage and matchday commentary in the North East. Rob Law and Paul Mitchell complete the reporting duties across the national and talkSPORT broadcasts, helping to round out a comprehensive multimedia offering for supporters.
Elsewhere, viewers in the Republic of Ireland can watch on Premier Sports 1 HD, where Connor Morris presents alongside world feed commentary and pundits Kenny Cunningham, Gary Breen and Richard Dunne. The world feed itself is led by Jonathan Pearce, another familiar voice to British football fans with decades of experience across television commentary.
With Sunderland back under the European spotlight and a strong broadcast team in place, the match promises to be well served on both TV and radio. Supporters can expect high-quality analysis, club knowledge and plenty of context as the Black Cats face AZ Alkmaar in a key Europa League fixture.
More on the competition can be found at UEFA Europa League.
Article generated: 16 September 2026, 20:02 GMT