demands an election. the wife of tv and radio presenter michael mosley confirms his body has been found on the greek island of symi. and uk election campaigning continues. cabinet minister mel stride insists rishi sunak apologised unequivocally for leaving d—day events early and the labour party pledges to build more prisons. and narendra modi is sworn in as india's prime minister for a record—equalling third term. now on bbc news it's sportsday. hello. welcome along to this sunday sportsday on bbc news. i'm ben croucher. coming up...

carlos is the new king on clay. alcaraz beats zverev for a first french open title. at the men's t20 world cup, india have it all to do against pakistan, and we'll get more on england's faltering campaign. a super scottish send—off. next stop germany and euro 2024 forjohn mcginn and co. and i am at the european athletics championships in rome, where britain already have one gold medal, and there are hopes for more tonight. thanks forjoining us. we have been treated to an epic men's singles final at roland garros this afternoon, where after more than four hours and five sets of tennis, carlos alcaraz is the new french open champion. he beat alexander zverev to win a third grand slam title in a match

that swung one way then the other then back again, as craig templeton reports. three names have loomed largest in men's tennis for decades. nadal, djokovic, federer. the first french open in final without any of them since 200a. for carlos alcaraz and alexander zverev, the time is now. when the stakes at this height, nerves are understandable. alcaraz handled the better, first set to the spaniard. but zverev is a man in his first grand slam, and that drive brings moments like this, and the second set. and by the third, any nerves that disappeared into the dust. he had been down in the set, down in the match. not any more. alcaraz has another gear, though, and this the moment he found it to force a decider. and in that decider, he was a sheer force of nature. this is a player that

belonged on this stage. rafael nadal may always be king of roland garros, but now paris has a new spanish prince. craig templeton, bbc news. it was quite so much, that is for certain. well, we can cross live to paris now and join our tennis correspondent russell fuller. russell, just how good was that match? well, in all honesty it wasn't in terms of quality the best grand slam final i've watched by a long margin, but that does not mean it wasn't full of excitement, because both players looked very tense throughout, very tired throughout. alexander zverev losing a grand slam final for alexander zverev losing a grand slam finalfor a alexander zverev losing a grand slam final for a second alexander zverev losing a grand slam finalfor a second time alexander zverev losing a grand slam final for a second time over five sets had played for over 19 hours coming into the final. no man had been uncorked for longer at roland garros to reach the final of the men's singles. and carlos alcaraz had come into the championships with a bit of a problem with his right forearm, he hadn't had the preparations he would want. and you

can see that he was feeling the tension as well, especially when he was treated for a thigh problem. so is full of drama. alcaraz thought that the court was too slippery, that the court was too slippery, that wasn't enough clay on it, and zverev thought that too many line calls were going against him. it all went down to five sets, and as you saw there, for the first time in paris, carlos alcaraz is the champion. he is now a grand slam champion on all three surfaces. he isjust he is now a grand slam champion on all three surfaces. he is just 21. along with the likes of zverev and sinner maybe, are we seeing this new guard firmly to the fore now? alex zverev is very middle—age compared to the others, because he is now 27, and it would have been hard to lose another final over five sets and i think you can compete with the best in the game. he will have more opportunities. alcaraz is only 21, a similar age to jannik sinner, and as you pointed out, a winner on three surfaces. seven men have done that now, and he is the

youngest by quite some margin, the only one he hasn't won is the hard courts of the australian open and there is no reason to think why he wouldn't be able to win that as well. so here's the player of the current crop of those names we have mentioned who is most likely to be the dominant player in this era, but just to remind you there is some serious competition out there. in a few hours it is jannik sinner of italy who will take over as the new world men's number one.- italy who will take over as the new world men's number one. thank you ve much world men's number one. thank you very much for— world men's number one. thank you very much for everything _ world men's number one. thank you very much for everything over - world men's number one. thank you very much for everything over the i very much for everything over the last couple of weeks. the crowds have flocked in to eisenhower park in new york for the highly anticipated match up between pakistan and india at the men's t20 world cup. although many of these india fans will not have liked what they've seen so far. with play delayed for an hour due to rain, when they got under way pakistan made the most of winning the toss, reducing india to 119 all out. rishabh pant one of only three players to reach double figures. in reply, pakistan are 50—1.

they are on the ninth over. you can follow this one on bbc sounds. well, for england, two games down. just one point after a wash—out against scotland and a bruising defeat to australia yesterday. our cricket reporter henry moeran joined me from the carribbean earlier and told me why even at this early stage of the tournament, there's cause for concern. the worry for england is the fact that having lost a game against australia but also not being able to complete the game against scotland, the maximum number of points they can now get in this group is five. if scotland were to beat oman later on today, they would already be on five points, and that would be the most england could get, and therefore they are in a position where they're relying on their run rate, and having lost so heavily to australia, the fact that they have to make up so much ground could prove problematic, australia and scotland heading through to the super eight stage of this tournament. it may not be lost on many people

australian scotland met in the last game and could conspire to knock england out either way. what is it about this england team that everybody doesn't seem to be happy with? is it selection, performance, a combination? it's very easy to overreact to such things, and perhaps if we hadn't seen what happened in the 50—over world cup last year, it would be put down to one bad day at the office. but england are getting in a little bit of a habit now of making bold calls, and the decisions of the captain and the coaches are not working. yesterday they elected to bowl first it didn't pay off. there was the decision to bowl willjacks in an over and it went for 22. it starts to build up a pattern where these calls are being made and england are getting the wrong and it is costing the cricket matches.

england are used to playing under pressure in major tournaments. you just look back to the 50—over world cup a few years ago. but there is now real pressure on their final two games. what sort of a response to expect? i spoke to moeen ali yesterday, and he said there are facets of the game, england need to be positive and back themselves, all those things you would expect someone from inside the camp to say. but what they have got to do quite simply against namibia and oman is to win big, boost the net run rate, find a way to claw their way back into having some degree of control in this group, and also build a little bit of confidence if nothing else. they would expect to beat namibia and oman handsomely, but the problem is that at this time of year there is rain around, and if they were to lose another game two of the weather, between scotland and oman today hoping that oman can do them a favour to put

the pressure on scotland, because that is their simplest route to making it through to the super eights. henry mentioned scotland versus oman there. oman chose to bat first in antigua. they have just finished their innings there setting a total of 150-7 innings there setting a total of 150—7 from their 20 overs. while england didn't have anything to cheer about yesterday, today was a chance to celebrate for everyone associated with northampton saints. victory over bath earned them a first english premiership title in a decade and james burridge took in their homecoming parade. extraordinary scenes in northampton this afternoon as the saints came on three buses to celebrate with thousands of people here in the town centre beneath the steps of the guildhall. after a nerve shredding final, they've been waiting here for hours, and this is what it meant to the thousands of saints fans. rugby breathe through _ the thousands of saints fans. rugby breathe through this _ the thousands of saints fans. rugby breathe through this town, - the thousands of saints fans. rugby breathe through this town, and - the thousands of saints fans. rugby breathe through this town, and it i the thousands of saints fans. tum breathe through this town, and it is massive. it is massive for the fans,

massive. it is massive for the fans, massive for the families, massive for everyone. it's great to welcome them back with this. you can't ask for more. , ., ., , ., for more. the number of fans and the whole area is — for more. the number of fans and the whole area is phenomenal. _ for more. the number of fans and the whole area is phenomenal. it's - for more. the number of fans and the whole area is phenomenal. it's a - whole area is phenomenal. it's a great _ whole area is phenomenal. it's a great feeling to see the community all come _ great feeling to see the community all come together and celebrate together. it all come together and celebrate touether. , , , together. it isjust very overwhelming. - together. it isjust very overwhelming. i- together. it isjust very overwhelming. ifeel. together. it is just very l overwhelming. ifeelfull together. it is just very - overwhelming. i feel full of emotion. _ overwhelming. i feel full of emotion, incredible - overwhelming. i feel full of emotion, incredible to- overwhelming. i feel full of emotion, incredible to see | overwhelming. i feel full of. emotion, incredible to see and overwhelming. i feel full of- emotion, incredible to see and come home _ emotion, incredible to see and come home with _ emotion, incredible to see and come home with a — emotion, incredible to see and come home with a trophy. _ emotion, incredible to see and come home with a trophy. the _ emotion, incredible to see and come home with a trophy. the game - emotion, incredible to see and come home with a trophy. the game was l emotion, incredible to see and come home with a trophy. the game was a bit of— home with a trophy. the game was a bit of a _ home with a trophy. the game was a bit of a slog, — home with a trophy. the game was a bit of a slog, but_ home with a trophy. the game was a bit of a slog, but it _ home with a trophy. the game was a bit of a slog, but it is _ home with a trophy. the game was a bit of a slog, but it is great - home with a trophy. the game was a bit of a slog, but it is great to- bit of a slog, but it is great to welcome _ bit of a slog, but it is great to welcome them _ bit of a slog, but it is great to welcome them back- bit of a slog, but it is great to welcome them back here - bit of a slog, but it is great to welcome them back here and | bit of a slog, but it is great to- welcome them back here and will be here in_ welcome them back here and will be here in such — welcome them back here and will be here in such good _ welcome them back here and will be here in such good voice _ welcome them back here and will be here in such good voice as— welcome them back here and will be here in such good voice as well, - here in such good voice as well, which _ here in such good voice as well, which is — here in such good voice as well, which is incredible. _ here in such good voice as well, which is incredible. is - here in such good voice as well, which is incredible.— which is incredible. as for the -la ers, which is incredible. as for the players. they _ which is incredible. as for the players, they were _ which is incredible. as for the players, they were pretty - which is incredible. as for the - players, they were pretty dumbstruck by the reaction here today. there were certainly some sore voices, heavy heads, but saints have been top of the table since the end of december, and they were just relieved to get over the line and celebrate with their home crowd. yeah, before we set off there are a few of us chatting and we weren't sure if everyone was going to turn up, but it is good to see everyone come out in support and show their

love for this year. itjust makes this whole thing just so special, this whole thing just so special, this whole thing just so special, this whole club is so special. what this whole club is so special. what an amazing _ this whole club is so special. what an amazing sport _ this whole club is so special. what an amazing sport it _ this whole club is so special. what an amazing sport it is, _ this whole club is so special. what an amazing sport it is, and - this whole club is so special. what an amazing sport it is, and for everybody— an amazing sport it is, and for everybody to turn out for this parade — everybody to turn out for this parade is— everybody to turn out for this parade is a special feeling. it makes — parade is a special feeling. it makes everything... makes everything even better _ makes everything... makes everything even better. these fans are unbelievable and we wanted to do it for them, _ unbelievable and we wanted to do it for them, wanted to do it for ourselves, _ for them, wanted to do it for ourselves, and for us to be able to do this— ourselves, and for us to be able to do this today has been amazing. this is a ouna do this today has been amazing. ti 3 is a young saints team, but there are three saints still want single by, alex ludlow, luke storl. the mens premiership is over but the women's title is still up for grabs. defending champions gloucester—hartpury thrashed fourth placed exeter chiefs 50—19 to reach the premiership women's final. winger pip hendy scored the pick of the cherry and whites eight tries at kingsholm.

they'll meet bristol at sandy park in a fortnight after the bears beat saracens 29—21. they had to come back from trailing by nine points at half time to reach the premiership women's final for the first time. from domestic rugby to the international game now. george ford has been ruled out of england's summer tour with an achilles injury. ford started at fly—half throughout this year's six nations but having completed the club season with sale sharks, it has been decided he needs time to recover from the pre—existing injury. england playjapan in tokyo later this month before travelling to new zealand for a two—test series injuly. the former scotland and liverpool defender alan hansen is seriously ill in hospital, his former club have confirmed on sunday. the 68—year—old had a distinguished playing career, winning eight league titles and three european cups before embarking on a successful punditry career with the bbc. he also won 26 caps for scotland. in a statement, liverpool sent their support to their former captain, who they called "a defender

of the utmost elegance". they added they are in contact with alan's family to provide support at this difficult time and asked for their privacy to be respected. well, this time next week, the european championship will be well under way. slovenia and denmark will be just finishing up in england's group and we'll be counting down to their match against serbia at 8. scotland left glasgow for germany today. they open the tournament against the hosts on friday. and our reporter jane dougall is there. the squad were waved off from glasgow airport a little earlier today, where a lone piper as is traditional piped them onto the plane and sent them off to germany with the hopes of a whole country on—board with them. and then just over two hours ago, they touched down at munich airport, and have made their way here to a very beautiful small bavarian town where their base camp is, and just a few moments ago, the scotland team has

pulled up outside this hotel where we are, and the whole of the team got off the bus and were welcomed by the staff at the hotel. the idea of this camp is to get away from the big towns and cities of germany, and there will be peace and quiet for there will be peace and quiet for the squad here. and they will need that because there are great expectations for the zeros, plus as you mentioned, the first match of causes against germany, where nobody would bet against them. and as news of alan hansen's ill—health filtered through, the squad will be undoubtedly sending their best wishes. having qualified through the playoffs, scotland have a tricky group but are bidding to make it to the knockouts at a major tournament for the first time. earlier this week, i caught up with former scotland winger pat nevin about scotland's expectations going into the euros. expectations, i will change that word to hopes. the hopes are that we get out of the group. it is going to be a tough group. scotland have never got out of the group stage at

the world cup or the euros before, so that would be very good for scotland. it is going to be difficult. the group we are in, the hungarians, the swiss and of course the germans themselves. the germans very much will be favourite to win the group, but the other teams, much of a muchness and on any given day they could beat each other. real hopes that scotland could maybe get second place, and third place might be enough as well. very different when i was playing, there were only eight teams in the tournament, and in our group we had the world champions in the european champions, so i think this group has got a bit of a chance. share so i think this group has got a bit of a chance-— of a chance. are goals are concerned? _ of a chance. are goals are concerned? they - of a chance. are goals are concerned? they always l of a chance. are goals are . concerned? they always have of a chance. are goals are - concerned? they always have been of a chance. are goals are _ concerned? they always have been for scotland, concerned? they always have been for scotland. for — concerned? they always have been for scotland, for almost _ concerned? they always have been for scotland, for almost 20 _ concerned? they always have been for scotland, for almost 20 years - concerned? they always have been for scotland, for almost 20 years there i scotland, for almost 20 years there has not been an absolute natural goal—scorer in the squad. certainly lately that has been the case too. you could say the same for che adams. but it is not all about those

players scoring goals. we get a little bit overexcited about that. lawrence shankland has come into the squad, and it is a big step up to do it at international level. but what scotland have had is a very tight back unit, and also players who can score from different areas. and that is the difference. so the likes of che adams when he plays, it was a lovely goal as well, you have to remember that player up top is the one who is dragging players away, and the likes of christie coming from midfield, and you can't forget john mcginn as well. so it might not bejust the strikers, john mcginn as well. so it might not be just the strikers, it is the other players that come up, and also the set pieces as well, which has been quite a strong suit for scotland. been quite a strong suit for scotland-— been quite a strong suit for scotland. ., ., , .., scotland. you said that second in the a-rou scotland. you said that second in the grouo might _ scotland. you said that second in the group might be _ scotland. you said that second in the group might be what - scotland. you said that second in | the group might be what scotland could hope for. what does a successful tournament like the

scotland. is itjust getting out of the group, or should they aim higher? i the group, or should they aim hither? ., �* ., ., , higher? i don't want to put them under pressure. _ higher? i don't want to put them under pressure. in _ higher? i don't want to put them under pressure. in reality, i higher? i don't want to put them under pressure. in reality, you i under pressure. in reality, you know, you don't look ahead and say we are going to do this or that because you arejust we are going to do this or that because you are just a hostage to fortune. there is no point in doing that. you deal with what is ahead of you because if you get further ahead than that the press will hum you later. if he gets out of the group, he will say that is plenty, but in reality, we are all professionals and robertson, tierney, mcginn, they think that getting out of the group is enough? they don't. they want to go further than that. but they won't say it out loud! so england go into the tournament as favourites but there are a few question marks over the form and fitness of some players. luke shaw won't be fit for the first game at least and harry kane says he's got no problems but ended the domestic campaign with bayern munich with a back issue.

so i asked clinton morrison what he would do up front for england — if their captain wasn't fit. it is difficult. i think i would have a go with watkins, itjust depends on what kind of team i think you would start with ivan toney, because he can come with the play and have crosses into the box, and you are going to have a team that will come out, you play ollie watkins. but harry kane never gets injured, so england fans don't worry about that. harry kane is always all right. he said in interview yesterday he is 100% fit, he isjust managing his body, so they have a chance with him. the managing his body, so they have a chance with him.— chance with him. the curse of the commentator _ chance with him. the curse of the commentator you _ chance with him. the curse of the commentator you might - chance with him. the curse of the commentator you might have i chance with him. the curse of the commentator you might have put| chance with him. the curse of the i commentator you might have put on him there! if we look at gareth southgate, there is some criticism in that bosnia game of the tactics and the amount of quality on the pitch, and they weren't really clicking. do you think he needs to

release the shackles on this team during the tournament? i release the shackles on this team during the tournament?— release the shackles on this team during the tournament? i hope he does, but it _ during the tournament? i hope he does, but it is _ during the tournament? i hope he does, but it is not _ during the tournament? i hope he does, but it is not always - during the tournament? i hope he does, but it is not always his i does, but it is not always his fault. he can only set up the team, it is up to them to go out and implement what he has said. i know that a lot of people think gareth is negative but he has been a successful england manager. that group of young players let the shackles off, the likes of phil foden and craig bellamy, and if you are going to play forward and on the left, let them come into the number ten areas, and then defenders get thinking. for me, i would just say to them, the front four or five, they are good enough to go and win a game, whoever you put in front four or five, game, whoever you put in front four orfive, england have got some talented individuals. and if you want to watch our full euro 2024 preview — you can catch it on the football news show on bbc iplayer. wales won't be a part of the euros this summer, but are currently playing slovakia, looking to put their goalless draw with minnows gibraltar on thursday behind them. it is currently goalless. we are in the fifth minute in that game.

next to an extraordinary finish at the scandanvian mixed on golf�*s dp world and ladies european tour. sweden's sebastian soderberg had an 11 shot lead going into the final round, need a par on the last to win. had that for bogey for a playoff — but remarkably lipped out — handing linn grant victory. a final round of 65 earned her a second win in the event in three years. she said winning in her home town of helsingborg was extra special. staying with golf. scottie scheffler is bidding for an incredible fifth win in eight starts on the pga tour. but after five holes, but afterfive holes, his but after five holes, his lead but afterfive holes, his lead is down to one having been five overnight. elsewhere today, primoz roglic won his second criterium du dauphine, holding off a late charge from matteo jorgensen on the final stage. the american finished ahead of roglic — but not quite enough to leapfrog him onto the top step of the podium.

australia's ruby roseman—gannon won the final stage of the tour of britain women which finished in leigh. world champion lotte kopecky finished fourth, but that was enough to secure the belgian overall victory ahead of britain's anna henderson. it's day three of the european athletics championship in rome, as athletes continue their preparation for this summer's paris olympics. delighted to bejoined now by our sports correspondent natalie pirks who's in italy for us. natalie, bring us up to speed with what's been happening at the stadio olimpico so far today. it is busy busy. cooler here tonight with some rain around, but it is really heating up. two medals late last night, and then this morning, britton's first gold came thanks to the combined time in the women's half marathon. abbie donnelly, clara evans, karen mcneil. cali has been

picked by great britain to run in the olympics in paris, so a brilliant few months for her. anna purches qualified tenth in the hammer final purches qualified tenth in the hammerfinalfor tomorrow purches qualified tenth in the hammer final for tomorrow night. purches qualified tenth in the hammerfinalfor tomorrow night. we hammer final for tomorrow night. we havejust hammerfinalfor tomorrow night. we havejust seen britton's hammerfinalfor tomorrow night. we have just seen britton's livia nelson qualifying for the women's 400 metres final. and our european gold to relay medallist is through to the final, but tonight, six finals for britain. morgan lake is out on the high jump, she finals for britain. morgan lake is out on the highjump, she hasjust cleared 1.9 metres. 1.86 on her first, 1.90 on her second. she came fourth at the worlds last year, so she has it in her, but ukrainian world champion is also in the final. we have the men's hammerfinal, 24—year—old jake morris tonight, and the british record holder lizzie bird is in the women's steeplechase final. team captain elliot giles is in the men's 800 metres finaljust

before 9:30pm your time. he missed last year's before 9:30pm your time. he missed last yea r�*s worlds before 9:30pm your time. he missed last year's worlds with a calf injury, but then a really exciting women's 1500 injury, but then a really exciting women's1500 metres final with jemma reekie, women's1500 metres final withjemma reekie, george bell and katie women's1500 metres final with jemma reekie, george bell and katie snow. gemma qualified fastest, but she is using these championships to really gear up for using these championships to really gear upfor paris, using these championships to really gear up for paris, so that could be a strong chance, and then the final race tonight is the women's 100 race tonight is the women's100 metres final, and that is dina asher—smith, the fastest woman in british history. she is only focusing on the 100 here. she has had a few injuries, we have been used to having injury problems at major championships, but she is now living in texas, she has a different coach, and early signs are good for this season so far. she is the only woman in the semifinal tonight who has run below 11 seconds this season, so she has big goals for herself and says she is really setting her sights high, and of course olympic gold, that is the one

title she doesn't have, so this could be a good markerfor her leading into paris. find could be a good marker for her leading into paris.— leading into paris. and you can follow it all _ leading into paris. and you can follow it all on _ leading into paris. and you can follow it all on the _ leading into paris. and you can follow it all on the bbc- leading into paris. and you can follow it all on the bbc sport i follow it all on the bbc sport website this evening. well done for just hearing yourself think over all that racket in the stadium behind you as well. great britain's women returned to winning ways in the pro league with a 3—2 win over india in london india led for large periods at lea valley but the game turned on its head with a minute and a half to go, grace balsdon scoring twice to secure victory. gb are seventh in the table and play china next on tuesday. and the men followed up with a 3—2 win of their own against india, alan forsyth firing home the winner for great britain that moves them up to fifth in the pro league table, with spain up next on tuesday. to game two of major league baseball's london series, where the philadelphia phillies and new york mets are in action once again at the london stadium, and for the second time this weekend it looked like the phillies would come out on top, david dahl�*s home run in the seventh inning gave them a 4—3 lead but the mets rallied to win 6—5. the london series now takes a year

hiatus before returning in 2026. and just before we go, a reminder that the canadian grand prix is well under way in a soggy montreal. it has been an action packed race so far. you can follow all the action on bbc sounds and the bbc sport website. and to let you know that britain's jamie chadwick has won her first race in the feeder series for america's indycar. plenty more on bbc news throughout the evening. but from me and the team, thanks for watching. goodbye. hello there. there's no signs of any hot, dry, sunny weather on the horizon. things have been cool for the time of year, for the last week or more. and it looks like this week ahead, temperatures will be taking even more of a tumble. it really will be quite chilly for this time injune.

sunshine and showers for much of the week, though, we could see quite a bit of dry weather around the middle part of the week. but gardeners and growers do beware, nights are going to continue to be on the chilly side. now, we've got rain spreading across the country through tonight. so it will be quite heavy across central, southern and eastern england for a while. but where we have the cloud and the rain, temperatures nine to 11 degrees, clearer skies for scotland, northern ireland here will turn chilly so into monday. then we've got low pressure sitting out towards scandinavia, feeding in northerly winds across the uk and that really will make it feel cool for this time injune, it'll be pushing in lots of showers into northern scotland. we have that rain across eastern england, east anglia through the morning. it will take its time to clear away. eventually it will do. and then we're into a bright day with sunshine and scattered showers. these showers, blustery, even wintry over the high ground across northern scotland. the wind more of a feature here.

temperatures disappointing at ten to 13 degrees in the north, 14 to around 17, maybe 18 in the sunny spots across south wales, south west england. monday night we hold onto the showers. they fade away through the overnight period. for many, although they continue around some northern coasts, central areas will see the skies clear. so it's going to be another chilly night. temperatures in low single digits out of town, maybe even a touch of frost in some sheltered glens of scotland. so into tuesday, then, we've still got a run of chilly northerly winds, but this area of high pressure will start to topple in from the west. that should kill off a lot of the showers. however, it'll be a chilly but bright start with lots of sunshine. the cloud will tend to build through the day and along with the cloud, a few showers as well, central, northern and eastern areas most favoured for those. again, the winds strongest across eastern areas, lighter further west. temperatures ranging from around 11 to 17 degrees. wednesday looks like a ridge of high pressure being dry and settled weather. but then thursday onwards, low pressure starts to take over and it'll bring unsettled conditions to our shores. so wednesday not looking

too bad at this stage, thursday and beyond temperatures recover a little bit, but it does start to turn wetter once again.

good evening. it is eight o'clock in london, nine o'clock here in brussels at the european parliament, where results are beginning to arrive in this year's european elections. the exit poll and the first projections of what the new parliament will look like reveal a discernible shift to the right across europe. over the next hour we will bring you all the latest results from our correspondents across the continent. and here in the studio, we have expert analysis for you in the shape of nick vinocur, politico's editor at large, based here in brussels, and our european analyst and commentator nina de roy dos santos. this is europe votes 2024.

good evening, welcome to the programme. there are some in europe who think this vote could be a defining moment for the european union, and the project itself. 27 countries voting, most of them since thursday. 373 million people were eligible to vote. that is considerably more than the 244 million who will be taking part in the united states in november. so, it is a very big deal, not only because it will set the direction for this parliament at a critical time in europe, with war in ukraine, the economy stuttering, migration a major concern for many, but because what happens in this election so often has a bearing on the direction of domestic politics in each of these 27 countries. of course, some countries have more influence than others. the bigger your country, the more seats you get in the hemicycle chamber. germany gets 96, france 81, malta, cyprus and luxembourg six each.