seeded eighth, the czech player has power and control. she can serve too. third set, 6—4. at 29, pliskova is through to her first wimbledon final. her approach, she says, is super positive. well, that's her husband, and this is what it's all for. joe wilson, bbc news, wimbledon. time for a look at the weather here's sarah keith—lucas. we have had some really active showers around through the course of today, and some of our weather watchers across eastern england have spotted lots of funnel clouds, such as this one in lincolnshire, a rotating column falling out of cumulonimbus clouds. the satellite image shows where we have had cloud, the radar showing heavy showers, cloudier skies for scotland and northern ireland, sunny spells for england and wales, heavy showers continuing over the next few hours,

the odd rumble of thunder, perhaps hail if you catch one of the showers. but is in through the evening hours, so most of us dry overnight, patchy rain across eastern scotland, cloudier in the north and west, clear spells for most. temperatures holding up a 12-14 , the most. temperatures holding up a 12—14 , the odd misty patch first thing on friday. through the day tomorrow, an east—west split, the western half of the uk cloudy but dry, showery rain later, whereas further east sunny spells, scattered, slow—moving downpours. temperatures up to 23 degrees in the warmest spots, and if you suffer from hay fever, you will probably notice that pollen levels are high or very high for much of the uk. grass pollen is high this time of year. we still have heavy downpours across eastern scotland and england into friday evening, localised flooding, because they are very slow moving. we have the next area of low

pressure pushing injust in time moving. we have the next area of low pressure pushing in just in time for the weekend, towards the south. through the weekend, more rain, heavy and showery at times on saturday. forsome heavy and showery at times on saturday. for some of us, particularly in the south, it could be dry by sunday. now the news hello, welcome to sportsday — i'm austin halewood, here's what's coming up in the programme. yes it really did happen. englander through to the first major final since 1966. so now it's all eyes on italy. since 1966. so now it's all eyes on ital . �* �* ., since 1966. so now it's all eyes on ital. �* �* ., ,., , since 1966. so now it's all eyes on ital. �* ., , m italy. and i'm at saint georges park where some — italy. and i'm at saint georges park where some of— italy. and i'm at saint georges park where some of the _ italy. and i'm at saint georges park where some of the england - italy. and i'm at saint georges park where some of the england squad l italy. and i'm at saint georges park. where some of the england squad have been training today, but for those that started last night's semi final, it's been a day of rest and recovery. also on sportsday tonight... tokyo bids farewell to the fans,

there won't be any supporters at the olympics later this month. and can anyone stop the barty party? the world number one's through to her first wimbledon final. good evening, i hope you've had time to finally catch your breath after a dramatic evening at wembley last night. england's footballers are back at their training base of st george's park, after the team finally put to bed 55 years of waiting for a major tournament final. their 2—1 victory over denmark last night, means they'll face italy on sunday in the final of euro 2020, asjoe lynskey reports. singing. it has been 55 years

but they never stop dreaming. the last time england reached a final it wasjuly 1966. through the decades there have been late nights and golden generations, now onlyjoy. my emotions are all over the place. what a night and a fully deserved win. it is the work ethic and the determination from each and every one of us. help your mate out. it says a lot about this team. i am so proud. this group of players deserve what has happened to them. | fantastic from when we met five weeks ago. . it was our night. harry kane's spot kick was one of his worst. how he finds ways to score is key to this team. and so is the man at the helm. throughout the match gareth southgate is calm and then at the end his release. he is a thinker and he listens and takes on board.

he has a ruthless streak which you have to have as a manager and it is the most difficult manager job in the world. it is great to see him enjoy the success because he really deserves it. england semifinal woes are over but there is one more hurdle. in italy who last beat them in the knockouts at euro 2012. the our own extraordinary form. they are superb opposition. they have not lost in 33 games. whatever standard of football you play, that is impressive. england have a great they had two giant defenders, will have to be very wary of that. it is a tough one to call. on the pitch and understand there were personal moments. mason mount gave his shirt away and calvin phillips put on a new one for his granny who died in february. many have had a year like him

but after so long in the silence, the noise is back in our country brought together by football. there is one more to go. it was quite a night for england and their fans. well the team are back at their training base at st george's park now and olly foster is there for us. olly we've just seen those celebrations on the pitch last night once again — is it very much back to the job in hand now though and all focus on the final? it really is. that is the mantra of this england team. it's all right winning but you got to go on and do it again. and they know how big that game is on sunday. we havejust heard all about it there. a day of rest and recuperation for most of the squad today, that is their routine after a match. the 11 that started against the danes come they go off and do their own thing, just some recovery work but what we did

see today were 13 out on the training pitch. substitutes, the rest of the squad. there was no jordan henderson or check in there, they have their own separate fitness programmes. we have seen that from the very start of the tournament. it was a great session to actually witness because they were at it from the very off. you soon realise just watching from the first 15 minutes when you see jaden and the rest of them there as well, phil foden the to oust in that forward lined up alongside harry kane and raheem sterling. this place is still at stake here, everybody desperate to get into this england team and that is one of the hallmarks of it, the competition for places with everybody working together towards the same thing and that's of course witting first major final in 55 years. and those 13 players out

there trying to impress gareth southgate, a get a quick word with steve, the assistant and he said it's fantastic getting back here indisputable part of the countryside. everything made—to—measure here and just for them to reset and refocus. they've done that brilliantly all through this tournament. they would like a few more days to prepare for this final but they are back in the routine and they will trust what they are doing as they approach the huge game against the italians. looking ahead to italy for they will face in the final, their manager said it's unfair that many italians will get to go to the game, how much of an advantage will that be for england? fix, of an advantage will that be for encland? �* ., ., ., , of an advantage will that be for encland? ~ ., ., ., , ., england? a huge advantage, they have all fed off the — england? a huge advantage, they have all fed off the crowd _ england? a huge advantage, they have all fed off the crowd at _ england? a huge advantage, they have all fed off the crowd at these _ all fed off the crowd at these players. and there was that big when against ukraine in the quarterfinals but i was in the semi final between

italy and spain on tuesday night as well and there were thousands of italians all living in the uk, there's a massive italian population, they will get their hands on tickets and there could be 1000 flown in from italy in a special bubble as well. there will be plenty there but of course more english fans. mil be plenty there but of course more english fem-— be plenty there but of course more english fans. all the foster, thanks very much- — i'm meanwhile, england have been charged by uefa after a lasert was directed at denmark keeper kasper schmeichel, during the match. cameras showed a green light on schmeichel�*s face just before harry kane took his penalty in extra time. schmeichel did save it but kane went on to score the rebound. england have also been charged with causing a "disturbance" during denmark's national anthem and for setting off fireworks. away from football organisers of the tokyo olympics have announced that the games will go ahead without fans later this month.

it comes after a state of emergency was put in place in tokyo, to try and combat rising coronavirus cases injapan. overseas supporters were barred back in april, but there had been hope that a limited number of local fans could attend. translation: the games were supposed to be a rare opportunity _ translation: the games were supposed to be a rare opportunity to _ translation: the games were supposed to be a rare opportunity to feel _ translation: the games were supposed to be a rare opportunity to feel the - to be a rare opportunity to feel the power of sport through packed stadiums and united communities, however it is with regret that now must be held in a very limited way due to the spread of coronavirus. i am very sorry for the fans who purchased the tickets and were looking forward to the games. as well as the local people. we continue to work hard in order to deliver the philosophy of the olympics across japan into the world by holding a safe and secure games. let's get more on this with our sports news correspondent. i'm sure

it was the decision organisers never want to do have to make but i guess they were forced were backed into a corner with that. it they were forced were backed into a corner with that.— corner with that. it does not come as a complete _ corner with that. it does not come as a complete surprise _ corner with that. it does not come as a complete surprise because i corner with that. it does not come i as a complete surprise because when he announced a few weeks ago that the fans_ he announced a few weeks ago that the fans would be limited or domestic fans would be limited to 10,000 _ domestic fans would be limited to 10,000 at a venue, or 50% of the capacity— 10,000 at a venue, or 50% of the capacity which ever was the smallest number, _ capacity which ever was the smallest number, they did say if there was a change _ number, they did say if there was a change in _ number, they did say if there was a change in the situation regarding coronavirus, they reserve the option to reduce _ coronavirus, they reserve the option to reduce the number of fans or go with the _ to reduce the number of fans or go with the decision they have made to today— with the decision they have made to today which is to have no fans at all. today which is to have no fans at all there — today which is to have no fans at all. there was speculation that they might— all. there was speculation that they might decide to bar fans after certain— might decide to bar fans after certain time of the evening but they decided _ certain time of the evening but they decided to— certain time of the evening but they decided to make it simple for everyone _ decided to make it simple for everyone and say it's a situation that is— everyone and say it's a situation that is that _ everyone and say it's a situation that is that civic cannot control it

must _ that is that civic cannot control it must have — that is that civic cannot control it must have no fans inside of the stadiums— must have no fans inside of the stadiums in tokyo. there may be fans allowed _ stadiums in tokyo. there may be fans allowed in _ stadiums in tokyo. there may be fans allowed in some of the venues in other— allowed in some of the venues in other areas— allowed in some of the venues in other areas ofjapan where they are not under— other areas ofjapan where they are not under a — other areas ofjapan where they are not under a state of emergency, surfing _ not under a state of emergency, surfing for— not under a state of emergency, surfing for example or football venues. — surfing for example or football venues, baseball venues and other parts _ venues, baseball venues and other parts of— venues, baseball venues and other parts ofjapan outside of tokyo. they— parts ofjapan outside of tokyo. they may — parts ofjapan outside of tokyo. they may have some fans but that decision— they may have some fans but that decision has still yet to be made. the world number one, ashleigh barty, will face karolina pliskova in the women's final at wimbledon on saturday. both players came through tough matches on centre court this afternoon to book a place in the final, for the very first time at the all england club. well chetan parthak is there for us. and chetan we have two new finalists at wimbledon — but both of them were tested out there today weren't they? yes, they did and perhaps overwhelmingly not surprised about ash barty but it's her first were able but up against karolina pliskova. she has reach

grand slam finals before in the us openin grand slam finals before in the us open in 2016 but not really one of the players talked about going into these championships. but she got the job done today against the number two seed. it took three sets, but pliskova perhaps the most solid and stable, and the most measured and considered, there was moments where sabalenka understand without the nerves get to her perhaps. and pliskova having lost that first set still kept her resolved and got through to make herfirst still kept her resolved and got through to make her first wimbledon final. where, as you said, ash barty awaits. and ash barty has gotten better and better throughout these championships. only drop one set on route to the final. that was in the opening round. up against kerber, the player that when this title back in 2018. the first set from ash barty winning that, he could've gone to three but kerber fought and hung

in there in the second. she lost that in the end and ash barty afterwards said it was for some of the best tennis she has played. this is incredible. _ the best tennis she has played. this is incredible. i— the best tennis she has played. this is incredible. i think this is close to as good a tennis match— this is close to as good a tennis match as — this is close to as good a tennis match as i _ this is close to as good a tennis match as i will ever play and angie definitely— match as i will ever play and angie definitely brought the best out of me today and it was a hell of a match — me today and it was a hell of a match rate _ me today and it was a hell of a match rate for the first ball and a new is _ match rate for the first ball and a new is going to have to be that good 'ust new is going to have to be that good just to _ new is going to have to be that good just to compete with her. so in a court _ just to compete with her. so in a court of— just to compete with her. so in a court of myself and my team come and now we _ court of myself and my team come and now we get— court of myself and my team come and now we get a _ court of myself and my team come and now we get a chance on saturday to try and _ now we get a chance on saturday to try and live — now we get a chance on saturday to try and live out a childhood dream. incredibly— try and live out a childhood dream. incredibly proud, the first australian to reach the final since 1980. from a number one commentating on that match. sam, what was so good about ash barty today for you this bloke just how she played the big moments. that first that look straightforward but she was down in service gains, the opening game of the match she had to save a couple of break points, she was really nervous for the first two or three minutes and then she settled and

broke. it looked one—sided at first but it really was not. and then to really not allow kerber to get away because there was about a 20 minute period for the former champion was dominating and pushing ash barty around, and ash barty did very well to get back. i thought we were going three, i really did. has she exceeded the expectations or not? the injury she had to withdraw that match in the french open, but uncertain about how she would get on at these championships. but here she is in the final and the favourite, would you say?— is in the final and the favourite, would you say? she is certainly the favourite going _ would you say? she is certainly the favourite going in _ would you say? she is certainly the favourite going in because - would you say? she is certainly the favourite going in because she - would you say? she is certainly the favourite going in because she has| favourite going in because she has won a _ favourite going in because she has won a grand slam title. that years of playing — won a grand slam title. that years of playing at a very high level and pliskova — of playing at a very high level and pliskova has been up and down in recent— pliskova has been up and down in recent times. but for ash barty coming — recent times. but for ash barty coming in — recent times. but for ash barty coming in have the injury but didn't know— coming in have the injury but didn't know she _ coming in have the injury but didn't know she would get to the start line _ know she would get to the start line so — know she would get to the start line. so happy to see her in the draw— line. so happy to see her in the drawand— line. so happy to see her in the draw and she did look a little careful—