Local radio journalist Chris Walker to lead coverage of “Estonian Extravaganza”

Christofer Walker will cover his first live football match from outside of the UK this weekend on radio platform CW Sport.

Walker, a radio host and commentator from Milton Keynes, started off his career in local radio, making a name for himself on the side of Southampton’s pitch as a touchline reporter, covering their first time in the Premier League.

Walker now finds himself set to travel to Finland and Estonia in what will be his first time covering a match live from outside of the UK, in what he calls the “Estonian Extravaganza” and the “Finnish Fantastic.”

Beginning on 18 June, Walker will commentate over six matches across seven days, four in Estonia and ending his time abroad with two matches from Finland.

Speaking to Prost, Walker spoke about how the opportunity arose, saying:

“Going out to Estonia really all started with lockdown in 2020.  With no football to go to in UK, I found the Belarus league was playing, so I managed to broadcast an English commentary which people then opened up online.

“A joint suggestion from both former Matabeleland head coach Justin Walley and football blogger Pat McGuiness led to me looking at adding the Estonian League to my repertoire.

“I managed to cover 22 games in 2020 including one each from the Esiliiga and Women’s Premium Liiga.  Although the listenership was modest, it enabled people to get access to a league that many probably didn’t know about or knew very little about.

“With the return of English non league football and women’s football in 2021, it mean that I didn’t cover as many games as I had done the previous year but importantly I managed to maintain that link.”

The event will kick-off this Saturday, with football fans able to tune into Nomme United’s match-up against FCI Levadia’s under 21s squad.

On Sunday 19 June, two matches will be broadcast by CW Sport, most notably reigning Meistrilliga champions Flora Tallinn taking on Tallinna Kalev at 10am BST.

On 20 June, Estonian coverage will come to an end with Elva v Tulevik Viljandi before Finnish football takes the stage, ending with a double-bill on 22 and 23 June.

As the last feature of June’s schedule, Walker will commentate at the Bolt Arena as HJK Klubi 04 host Espoon Palloseura FC.

Walker is excited for the opportunity, but has said he is apprehensive about technical hiccups.

He added:

“I am excited by the prospect of doing my first ever commentaries live from abroad but of course there’s a lot of finger crossing that the technical side of things will be okay. The proof will come 12.45pm UK time on Saturday 18th June.”

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt