this is bbc news, i'm olly foster live at wembley, ahead of tonight's european championship final. cheering four hours and counting, this has been a long time coming for england's men, the match against italy, their first major final for more than half a century. we need this, this year, after the time we have had, we need some of this, we need excitement, to be behind our country. four hours before kick—off, thousands are already gathering on wembley way in support of gareth southgate�*s team — and he has this message for them: we will be doing everything we can, your support and energy has given us a huge lift and it will on sunday.

's '5 coming home, it was like coming home, _ '5 coming home, it was like coming home, it's — '5 coming home, it was like coming home, it's coming home. every england fan will be hoping the football's coming home and after years of hurt — is tonight the night? i think we can officially say... 0h, can we? shall we say it together? it's coming home! 0h, we've said it now! there's excitement too in italy, they are unbeaten in three years and are confident that they can beat england tonight, we'll head live to rome. they are confident that they can beat england tonight. i'm lukwesa burak with our other main stories. the uk's vaccine minister says the government is confident that plans to lift a range of covid restrictions will go ahead onjuly 19 in england. but he also said masks are still expected to be worn indoors.

the fortification of the vaccination programme has allowed us to cautiously move to step four, and the prime minister will say more about this. and at wimbledon, it's the men's singles final. novak djokovic aiming to win his sixth wimbledon title — but italian matteo berrettini has won the first set. and sir richard branson has taken off for space, on the first passenger flight of his virgin galactic spaceship. richard branson might be heading for space, but we always have —— almost

have lift off here. are you, like us, counting down the hours. just four to go now before kick—off in the european championship final, italy are the away team, remember, and wembley way is rammed with fans, the gates open soon, but thosands down there, many without tickets, are looking to make the most of every minute of a day that has been a long time coming. 55 years after sir alf ramsey's side won the world cup, england, so often the nearly men are now in another major final... and the match against the four—time world cup winners italy, could be the most—watched television event in uk broadcasting history. here's our sports correspondent, natalie pirks. come on, england! it's football's christmas eve. some fans are already at wembley, like kids impatient to unwrap their biggest present, but who can blame them?

55 years is a long time to wait. we need it this year, after the time we've had, we need some of this, we need excitement, to be behind our country. southgate hasjust managed to find something that has brought togetherness, and theyjust seem as if they can do it this time. 55 years, not in my lifetime have i ever seen anything like this. . this was our moment to represent our time. the near misses and the tournaments that haven't gone so well weren't so important for this team. over the last four years, they've knocked down so many barriers, so their resilience and experiences as a team have really prepared them well for this moment. this team has taken the public along for the ride. when they left their base in staffordshire yesterday, and when they arrived in london, the players were reminded just what this means to the nation. but let's not forget about italy — a team unbeaten in three years. they were pushed very close in their semifinal by spain but went through on penalties.

england have never beaten them in a major tournament. the players have been a picture of calm, though, holed inside their team hotel this morning. i wouldn't be surprised if many of them will be off social media. they will be limiting their phones and staying away from that so they don't get too hyped up about the whole situation. it's that balance of being focused, but also being relaxed. fans hope the team can keep their head while all around them are losing theirs. there really is no other story in town today, and the players have had messages from the queen, the prime minister, a facetime call from tom cruise and the duke of cambridge. i can't really believe this is happening. so exciting. just wish you the very best of luck. you bring out the very best of england, and the whole country is behind you, so bring it home. # sweet caroline...#. when the final whistle blows at wembley tonight, the waiting could be over. for too long, history

has weighed them down. the golden generation's expected to emulate what sir ralph ramsay did in 1966. this class of 2021 under gareth southgate has the best chance of sporting immortality. england will have the huge advantage. they have had that throughout this tournament, throughout this tournament, exactly four weeks ago when they started. home advantage, six of their seven matches will have been played here at wembley. they travel to rome for their quarterfinal victory against ukraine, that did not deter them, that was their biggest win, 4—0, they beat the danes last wednesday night to lift that some of the final curse, the england team are waiting for the last leg of theirjourney, they are about ten miles north of us, just outside london as there are a luxury hotel, the team bus is waiting for them to carry them down here to wembley in the next hour or

so, you can see lots of support staff there, packing up, and as it has been for the last four weeks, all eyes on this match, wembley once again, england isjust taking it one match at a time, orchestrated by who has proved to be a instrument for this, gareth southgate, to the fore, he they are also aware of despite being in this covid—i9 bubble, remaining focused, of all the fans support, and he said they fed off that, and a little bit early on, on the social media official channel, he sent this message... hi there. i just want to take the time to say thank you for the incredible support from everybody that we received throughout this tournament. we hope that we have represented you in the right way, we hope you have enjoyed watching us play, i'm very grateful to all of the players and the incredible staff i've got

with me, that we have been able to get to our first finalfor 55 years. of course, we know now that we've got to deliver for you, so we will be doing everything we can, your support and energy has given us a huge lift and i know it will on sunday. that was for the supporters. ashleyjohn—baptiste is with fans here at wembley and james reynolds is at box park, croydon. that is going to get lively as well! let's start with you, actually, they have been gathering here for hours and hours and hours. many of them have not got tickets, but theyjust had to be here. have not got tickets, but they “ust had to be here.�* have not got tickets, but they 'ust had to be here.�* had to be here. yes, hello, the atmosphere — had to be here. yes, hello, the atmosphere here _ had to be here. yes, hello, the atmosphere here is _ had to be here. yes, hello, the atmosphere here is electric, i had to be here. yes, hello, the. atmosphere here is electric, and had to be here. yes, hello, the - atmosphere here is electric, and as you can probably see, thousands of fans are here for tonight's final, i have two fans, kate and carl from the midlands. what does it mean to

be here for tonight's final? just a once-in-a-lifetime _ be here for tonight's final? just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity l be here for tonight's final? just a l once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for once—in—a—lifetime opportunity for us. once—in—a—lifetime opportunity for us villa _ once—in—a—lifetime opportunity for us villa and — once—in—a—lifetime opportunity for us. villa and wolves fan combined together, — us. villa and wolves fan combined together, we left the kids at home with the _ together, we left the kids at home with the grandparents to come down, soak up _ with the grandparents to come down, soak up the _ with the grandparents to come down, soak up the atmosphere, ijust have a really— soak up the atmosphere, ijust have a really good afternoon, evening, h0pefutty— a really good afternoon, evening, hopefully there is a win at the end of it _ hopefully there is a win at the end of it. , ., , ., , , of it. interesting that you guys don't have _ of it. interesting that you guys don't have tickets. _ of it. interesting that you guys don't have tickets. what - of it. interesting that you guys don't have tickets. what will i of it. interesting that you guys| don't have tickets. what will be down here, given that he won't be in the stadium? just down here, given that he won't be in the stadium?— the stadium? just to soak up the atmosphere- _ the stadium? just to soak up the atmosphere. the _ the stadium? just to soak up the atmosphere. the english - the stadium? just to soak up the atmosphere. the english fans i the stadium? just to soak up the | atmosphere. the english fans are fantastic. we _ atmosphere. the english fans are fantastic. we just _ atmosphere. the english fans are fantastic. we just want _ atmosphere. the english fans are fantastic. we just want to - atmosphere. the english fans are fantastic. we just want to be - atmosphere. the english fans are fantastic. we just want to be part j fantastic. we just want to be part of that— fantastic. we just want to be part of that six— fantastic. we just want to be part of that six or seven hours. we are ha - of that six or seven hours. we are happy with _ of that six or seven hours. we are happy with that- _ of that six or seven hours. we are happy with that. talk _ of that six or seven hours. we are happy with that. talk to _ of that six or seven hours. we are happy with that. talk to me - of that six or seven hours. we are happy with that. talk to me about the five right _ happy with that. talk to me about the five right now. _ happy with that. talk to me about the five right now. it _ happy with that. talk to me about the five right now. it is _ happy with that. talk to me about the five right now. it is absolutelyj the five right now. it is absolutely amazinu. the five right now. it is absolutely amazing. everyone _ the five right now. it is absolutely amazing. everyone on _ the five right now. it is absolutely amazing. everyone on the - the five right now. it is absolutely amazing. everyone on the tube, | amazing. everyone on the tube, sinuain , amazing. everyone on the tube, singing. enjoying _ amazing. everyone on the tube, singing, enjoying themselves. l amazing. everyone on the tube, i singing, enjoying themselves. you singing, en'oying themselves. you don't singing, enjoying themselves. you don't really _ singing, enjoying themselves. you don't really know what to expect and don't really know what to expect and do you _ don't really know what to expect and do you get _ don't really know what to expect and do you get here, _ don't really know what to expect and do you get here, it— don't really know what to expect and do you get here, it is— don't really know what to expect and do you get here, it is amazing! - do you get here, it is amazing! could — do you get here, it is amazing! could you _ do you get here, it is amazing! could you have _ do you get here, it is amazing! could you have amaz— do you get here, it is amazing! could you have amaz and - do you get here, it is amazing! could you have amaz and at. do you get here, it is amazing! i could you have amaz and at the do you get here, it is amazing! - could you have amaz and at the start of this tournament that england would be in the final. 17 no way! it

would be in the final. ? no way! it has come true, i couldn't believe it, has come true, icouldn't believe it. ttut— has come true, i couldn't believe it. but we — has come true, i couldn't believe it, but we are in the final, hopefully it can continue into the night _ hopefully it can continue into the night so— hopefully it can continue into the niuht. ., ,., hopefully it can continue into the niuht. ., ,, i, hopefully it can continue into the niuht. ., i. i, ., night. so where are you guys going to be tonight's. _ night. so where are you guys going to be tonight's, as _ night. so where are you guys going to be tonight's, as you _ night. so where are you guys going to be tonight's, as you said, - night. so where are you guys going to be tonight's, as you said, you i to be tonight's, as you said, you have not got tickets? itlat to be tonight's, as you said, you have not got tickets?— have not got tickets? not sure, anywhere _ have not got tickets? not sure, anywhere that _ have not got tickets? not sure, anywhere that will _ have not got tickets? not sure, anywhere that will have - have not got tickets? not sure, anywhere that will have us. - have not got tickets? not sure, anywhere that will have us. we | have not got tickets? not sure, - anywhere that will have us. we will 'ust anywhere that will have us. we will just wing _ anywhere that will have us. we will just wind it — anywhere that will have us. we will just wind it we _ anywhere that will have us. we will just wing it. we want— anywhere that will have us. we will just wing it. we want expecting - anywhere that will have us. we will| just wing it. we want expecting this today _ just wing it. we want expecting this today if— just wing it. we want expecting this toda . ., . ., , today. if england win, if it comes home from _ today. if england win, if it comes home from a _ today. if england win, if it comes home from a wall _ today. if england win, if it comes home from a wall that _ today. if england win, if it comes home from a wall that means - today. if england win, if it comes l home from a wall that means you? today. if england win, if it comes - home from a wall that means you? it has never happened in my lifetime, it would _ has never happened in my lifetime, it would be — has never happened in my lifetime, it would be amazing. _ has never happened in my lifetime, it would be amazing.— has never happened in my lifetime, it would be amazing. we've got boys with football, _ it would be amazing. we've got boys with football, hope _ it would be amazing. we've got boys with football, hope when _ it would be amazing. we've got boys with football, hope when we - it would be amazing. we've got boys with football, hope when we are - with football, hope when we are back, _ with football, hope when we are back, celebrate, talk about it coming — back, celebrate, talk about it coming home of football coming home. how are _ coming home of football coming home. how are you _ coming home of football coming home. how are you guys going to celebrate? no idea. we will see what happens, we all— no idea. we will see what happens, we all texas! — no idea. we will see what happens, we all texas!— we all texas! 9:45pm, on the final whistle, we all texas! 9:45pm, on the final whistle. we'll _ we all texas! 9:45pm, on the final whistle, we'lljust _ we all texas! 9:45pm, on the final whistle, we'lljust enjoy _ we all texas! 9:45pm, on the final whistle, we'lljust enjoy the - we all texas! 9:45pm, on the final whistle, we'lljust enjoy the night l whistle, we'lljust enjoy the night with everyone else. gf whistle, we'lljust en'oy the night with everyone else._ with everyone else. of course, if ou are with everyone else. of course, if you are below — with everyone else. of course, if you are below the _ with everyone else. of course, if you are below the age _ with everyone else. of course, if you are below the age of - with everyone else. of course, if you are below the age of 55, - with everyone else. of course, if you are below the age of 55, this with everyone else. of course, if i you are below the age of 55, this is the first time that england has made

a major tournament final, again, so what does it mean?— what does it mean? can't put into words. it what does it mean? can't put into words- it is _ what does it mean? can't put into words. it is amazing. _ what does it mean? can't put into words. it is amazing. fingers - words. it is amazing. fingers crossed. _ words. it is amazing. fingers crossed, everybody - words. it is amazing. fingers crossed, everybody young i words. it is amazing. fingers. crossed, everybody young and words. it is amazing. fingers i crossed, everybody young and old will celebrate its tonight with the victory, _ will celebrate its tonight with the victory, and we can all come together~ _ victory, and we can all come together. i victory, and we can all come together-— victory, and we can all come touether. , ., , ., together. i remember -- imagine you will remember _ together. i remember -- imagine you will remember tonight _ together. i remember -- imagine you will remember tonight for _ together. i remember -- imagine you will remember tonight for the - together. i remember -- imagine you will remember tonight for the rest i will remember tonight for the rest of your lives. will remember tonight for the rest of your lives— of your lives. absolutely, 10096. just a slice _ of your lives. absolutely, 10096. just a slice of— of your lives. absolutely, 10096. just a slice of the _ of your lives. absolutely, 10096. just a slice of the excitement i of your lives. absolutely, 10096. | just a slice of the excitement that fans are feeling for the match. back to ou. fans are feeling for the match. back to you- thank— fans are feeling for the match. back to you. thank you _ fans are feeling for the match. back to you. thank you so _ fans are feeling for the match. back to you. thank you so much from down there on wembley way, i can see the flares going off around you. a little quieter before kick—off, james reynolds is down at one of these huge fan parks in croydon. james, if england score later, i hope you have your waterproofs because the beer will be flying! it because the beer will be flying! it is going to come directly to us because — is going to come directly to us because we just at the height of the beer altitude if england do school, i do beer altitude if england do school, i do not _ beer altitude if england do school, i do not know what will happen though— i do not know what will happen though if— i do not know what will happen though if italy score, but you can't see any— though if italy score, but you can't see any fans here at the moment, they will— see any fans here at the moment, they will be — see any fans here at the moment, they will be let in in a little bit,

they're — they will be let in in a little bit, they're just scrubbing the tables. i should _ they're just scrubbing the tables. i should say— they're just scrubbing the tables. i should say that the collective wisdom — should say that the collective wisdom of the fans i spoke to before they had _ wisdom of the fans i spoke to before they had to — wisdom of the fans i spoke to before they had to do the change round and scrub— they had to do the change round and scrub every— they had to do the change round and scrub every thing was that england would _ scrub every thing was that england would win— scrub every thing was that england would win 2—0, they will win it through— would win 2—0, they will win it through dominating open play, one man was— through dominating open play, one man was brave enough to stand there having _ man was brave enough to stand there having lunch, to suggest it might be to— having lunch, to suggest it might be to- one. _ having lunch, to suggest it might be to— one, that england might score, and then— to— one, that england might score, and then he — to— one, that england might score, and then he looked to his friends and then he looked to his friends and then— and then he looked to his friends and then also decided that he should io and then also decided that he should go with— and then also decided that he should go with 2—0. and if you can't get into wembley way, wembley stadium, this might _ into wembley way, wembley stadium, this might turn out to be quite a popular— this might turn out to be quite a popular venue, around 600 people come _ popular venue, around 600 people come here, — popular venue, around 600 people come here, they pay £20 each, the dj hasiust_ come here, they pay £20 each, the dj hasjust asked to come here, they pay £20 each, the dj has just asked to stop playing, let's— has just asked to stop playing, let's see — has just asked to stop playing, let's see how high the beer gets! back— let's see how high the beer gets! back to _ let's see how high the beer gets! back to you, ollie!— back to you, ollie! many thanks indeed. don't _ back to you, ollie! many thanks indeed. don't start _ back to you, ollie! many thanks indeed. don't start dancing, i indeed. don't start dancing, whatever you do! it is going to be lively in italy as well, you listen to the pundits, don't listen to the tens of thousands england fans, they are slightly biased. it is a 50—50

match, italy have been magnificent throughout this tournament. they had a scare, it went to penalties against spain, and i will correspond and lucy williamson is in rome. things are building up, as everyone in position now? the atmosphere — everyone in position now? the atmosphere is _ everyone in position now? tie: atmosphere is definitely everyone in position now? t't;e: atmosphere is definitely building, we have changed squares to get a different atmosphere, the restaurants and bars are getting their tv screens up on the terraces, hanging their italian flags. i've been speaking to someone who has been speaking to someone who has been working at the restaurant. what is the atmosphere going to be like? everyone is rooting for italy, screaming, waiting for the goals, everyone — screaming, waiting for the goals, everyone is ready with the flags out and yet. _ everyone is ready with the flags out and yet. it— everyone is ready with the flags out and yet, it is going to be crazy. i've and yet, it is going to be crazy. i've spoken _ and yet, it is going to be crazy. i've spoken to a few people, lots of people are being a bit shy about it. who do you think will win? ttalrg’s who do you think will win? italy's auoin to who do you think will win? italy's going to winter — who do you think will win? italy's going to winter tonight's, - who do you think will win? italy's going to winter tonight's, italy! i going to winter tonight's, italy! score _ going to winter tonight's, italy! score predictions? |

going to winter tonight's, italy! score predictions?— going to winter tonight's, italy! score predictions? i will say to- one for italy- — score predictions? i will say to- one for italy. will— score predictions? i will say to- one for italy. will it _ score predictions? i will say to- one for italy. will it go - score predictions? i will say to- one for italy. will it go to i one for italy. will it go to penalties? _ one for italy. will it go to penalties? no, _ one for italy. will it go to penalties? no, i'm- one for italy. will it go to | penalties? no, i'm pretty one for italy. will it go to i penalties? no, i'm pretty sure one for italy. will it go to _ penalties? no, i'm pretty sure about that. but penalties? no, i'm pretty sure about that- but the — penalties? no, i'm pretty sure about that. but the italians _ penalties? no, i'm pretty sure about that. but the italians are _ penalties? no, i'm pretty sure about that. but the italians are under i that. but the italians are under ressure that. but the italians are under pressure as _ that. but the italians are under pressure as well, _ that. but the italians are under pressure as well, they - that. but the italians are under pressure as well, they have i that. but the italians are under| pressure as well, they have not that. but the italians are under i pressure as well, they have not won a major tournament, pressure as well, they have not won a majortournament, england, pressure as well, they have not won a major tournament, england, for 55 years, but for italy as it has only been 15 years, but they failed to qualify for the world cup last time, so there are big expectations for them tonight. so there are big expectations for them tonight-— so there are big expectations for them toniaht. , . ., , them tonight. lucy, there certainly are, as them tonight. lucy, there certainly are. as there _ them tonight. lucy, there certainly are, as there certainly _ them tonight. lucy, there certainly are, as there certainly are - them tonight. lucy, there certainly are, as there certainly are on i are, as there certainly are on england as well. thank you very much for that, live from rome. we'rejust keeping an eye on england team hotel up keeping an eye on england team hotel up in watford, just to the north of london, a short bus ride for the england team, withjust london, a short bus ride for the england team, with just seeing if thatis england team, with just seeing if that is going to be getting on that bus shortly. what we do know is that i'm sure the roads from that luxury golf resort where they were holed up last night after travelling down after their final training session from their staffordshire training camps at st george's park, you can

see the fans there being allowed near, we know the rays will probably be absolutely packed with well—wishers. —— roads. just showing that bus all the way to wembley. it does give you goose bumps, it certainly gave some of the players goose bumps, they were filming the fans from out of the bus window on their way down to london, they were asking if it was real! it certainly is, the man who will make them believe it is real is gareth southgate. we'll be right back at that team hotel as soon as we do see that team hotel as soon as we do see that bus get on the move and the players getting on. just remembering that one little bit of injury news, phil foden, who started england's first two matches against croatia and scotland became on as a substitute against the danes in an extra time, but he had a knock in the last 48 hours. i'm just going to see one of my guests can come and

join me here. just off stage right, we're going to bring in danny mills. you werejust chatting! the former england defender, thank you so much. the former england defender, thank you so much-— you so much. here on the lofty erch. you so much. here on the lofty perch- it _ you so much. here on the lofty perch- it was — you so much. here on the lofty perch. it was not _ you so much. here on the lofty perch. it was not easy - you so much. here on the lofty perch. it was not easy to i you so much. here on the lofty perch. it was not easy to get i you so much. here on the lofty i perch. it was not easy to get here! you havejust perch. it was not easy to get here! you have just been perch. it was not easy to get here! you havejust been right perch. it was not easy to get here! you have just been right amongst it! you're just starting your professional career in euro 96, are you having flashbacks? this professional career in euro 96, are you having flashbacks?— you having flashbacks? this spain came you having flashbacks? this spain name was you having flashbacks? this spain game was one _ you having flashbacks? this spain game was one of— you having flashbacks? this spain game was one of the _ you having flashbacks? this spain game was one of the last - you having flashbacks? this spain game was one of the last game i you having flashbacks? this spain j game was one of the last game to watch is a true fan, and coming here as a young professional kite watching david seaman, to say that penalty, i was at the back of the stand at the old wembley, so i need binoculars to be able to see david seaman from that distance, incredible. but i never expected this. it is absolutely incredible, the amount of people, the ground swell of good feeling, and wanting england to do well is just off the charts. t

england to do well is 'ust off the charts. ~ ., ., charts. i think we are having trouble hearing _ charts. i think we are having trouble hearing you - charts. i think we are having trouble hearing you becausej charts. i think we are having i trouble hearing you because of the noise behind you as well, but we've got ux that we found you! you find your way to us, we find your voice as well. i mean is it a 50—50 match? i really think it is. it is a toss of a coin, italy are in great form as well, so are england, two very good teams, very difficult to call it. ithink it good teams, very difficult to call it. i think it will be tight, a lot between it, gareth might tweak the team again, tweak the formation, it could mean five at the back, we just don't know at the moment. we have to believe in garish, he gets it right! this is the thing, there is a few raised eyebrows! all a bit cautious. absolute trust now from fans and players. absolute trust now from fans and .la ers. ,, ., absolute trust now from fans and -la ers. ,, ., ., ,, absolute trust now from fans and -la ers. . ., . ,, ., players. should raheem sterling and its? why taking _ players. should raheem sterling and its? why taking jordan _ players. should raheem sterling and its? why taking jordan henderson, i its? why taking jordan henderson, should you take harry maguire? you can't play with two midfielders! i

was going back on the tube and the train on the match out of germany, people are saying it was a great result, but can't play that lad against ukraine, hang on! we'vejust beaten germany for the first time ever! ,, please, just enjoy the moment! now that the players have got to the final, i think the pressure is off a little bit, the semifinal is the one we don't want to go out, it is absolutely amazing. i can't believe the amount of ex—players and obtaining up, not working, but turning up as flans. —— fans. and look at your teacher! i think i saw fans. and look at your teacher! i think i sanonathan woodgate, his kids are here as well, gareth has changed the whole psyche and the whole feeling towards these young england players. that is his biggest achievement. x�*t�*ou england players. that is his biggest achievement-— achievement. you are at the 2002 world cop- _ achievement. you are at the 2002 world cup. that _ achievement. you are at the 2002 world cup. that was _ achievement. you are at the 2002 world cup. that was either - achievement. you are at the 2002 world cup. that was either in i achievement. you are at the 2002 world cup. that was either in the | world cup. that was either in the middle of those golden generations coming through.

middle of those golden generations coming through-— middle of those golden generations coming through._ can l middle of those golden generations i coming through._ can you coming through. gold-plated! can you believe, coming through. gold-plated! can you believe. what — coming through. gold-plated! can you believe, what we're _ coming through. gold-plated! can you believe, what we're talking _ coming through. gold-plated! can you believe, what we're talking about i coming through. gold-plated! can you believe, what we're talking about 55 i believe, what we're talking about 55 years, the the fermi —— semifinal curse was lifted last wednesday, but going down the years, it was pretty barren in the 70s, but when you start thinking about kevin keegan, your butchers, linacre, beckham, rooney, shearer, probably mixed up my generation! great players from generations, they will have dreams of playing on this stage and never got the chance.— of playing on this stage and never got the chance. that's what gareth's turned around, _ got the chance. that's what gareth's turned around, is _ got the chance. that's what gareth's turned around, is in _ got the chance. that's what gareth's turned around, is in the _ got the chance. that's what gareth's turned around, is in the fear - got the chance. that's what gareth's turned around, is in the fear of i turned around, is in the fear of going out of the tournament, remember what it was like to be a kid, when you are in the park, practising those goals, scoring the shearer goal is, van basten, this is your moment, this is what you dream of, thrive on it, cherish it, make it the most important thing, the best game you have ever played. i

think the difference you mentioned between all those other managers is they have always tried to shoehorn in the best players and they have often put them in the wrong positions just to get the best place into the team. with garin, gareth, we have seen the best players played in the formation that he wants to play. in the formation that he wants to play, whether that goes against popular opinion, no, playing the players that he sees fit, the best ones, regardless of the status of how these fit players are. they then is biggest compliment.— how these fit players are. they then is biggest compliment. danny hylton we're rroin is biggest compliment. danny hylton we're going to _ is biggest compliment. danny hylton we're going to get — is biggest compliment. danny hylton we're going to get that _ is biggest compliment. danny hylton we're going to get that team - is biggest compliment. danny hylton we're going to get that team news i we're going to get that team news about 6:40pm. thank you forjoining us. the most important team selection since sir alf ramsey's 25 -- 55 selection since sir alf ramsey's 25 —— 55 years ago. there is that one song that has come to represent the passion of england fans, slightly self—deprecating, their love of the game, 13, three lines, it is coming home, the soundtrack for euro 96,

the creators david baddiel, frank skinner and the lightning seeds, they have been performing the song in central london. it was like coming home, it was my coming _ it was like coming home, it was my coming home, that will's coming home _ coming home, that will's coming home. f . coming home, that will's coming home. j , , , ., coming home, that will's coming home. , , ., ~ ., home. every's seems to know the school. they've _ home. every's seems to know the school. they've seen _ home. every's seems to know the school. they've seen it _ home. every's seems to know the school. they've seen it all - home. every's seems to know the j school. they've seen it all before, theyjust know school. they've seen it all before, they just know there school. they've seen it all before, theyjust know there is the score. england's going to throw it away, going to blow it away, but i know that they will play because i remember three lions on a shirt, and jules rimet still gleaming, 55 years of hurt, it never stops me dreaming... of course, they have changed the lyrics, and don't worry, around 25

years ago, they did not sing in tune either! it takes you back, as do these scenes below me. england's fans, players arriving shortly, looking to finally end 55 years of hurt. i will be back with you in the next hour, but let's head back to lukwesa now. the countdiwn is well and truly under way. the countdiwn is well and truly underway. some the countdiwn is well and truly under way. some other news now... the government says people will still be "expected" to wear masks in many indoor spaces and on public transport after covid restrictions in england are lifted. the prime minister is due to confirm tomorrow, whether most of england's lockdown rules will end on the 19th ofjuly, including the legal requirement to wear masks. the vaccines minister, nadhim zahawi, says the government wants to stress the need for "both a personal responsibility and a corporate responsibility" as restrictions are eased. here's our health correspondent, jim reed.

it is one of the most visible signs of the pandemic. injust over a week, the legal requirement to wear a mask in england is set to end. speaking this morning, the vaccines minister said there would still be an expectation to mask up in some indoor spaces. the guidelines will be very clear on things like mask wearing. there is an expectation for people to wear masks indoors, in crowded places, on public transport. to step four cautiously. in wales, scotland and northern ireland, the legal need to wear a mask in some indoor venues will remain for the moment. in england, laboursaid making the requirement voluntary in eight days would be a mistake. we think more could be done to make sure that public spaces are properly ventilated, and as we have said all the way through this crisis, people who need to go home to self—isolate need, if they are on low incomes, to be financially supported to do that.

it comes as infections continue to rise across much of the country. more people are mixing, and there are signs that football has led to a spike in cases among young men. in scotland, that trend is starting to reverse. ministers have said the number of daily infections across the uk could hit 100,000 by august. vaccines will keep the vast majority out of hospital, but some are warning there could still be real disruption to nhs services. they would be younger. less severe, shorter stays. the actual numbers in hospital would still be well below the second wave peak, even if we did hit that 100,000 a day, but of course, it's very disruptive, having covid cases, and there would of course be a lot of bad outcomes. i guess the judgment is that it's better we do it now than in the winter.

at a news conference tomorrow, borisjohnson will confirm plans to lift most remaining restrictions in england. it's clear now that the message will be one of caution rather than celebration, as ministers and scientists try to navigate out of this pandemic. jim reed, bbc news. you through our latest covid—19 figures, released by the government and in terms of the number of people tested, we have that figure at 30 1000, 772 -- 301000, seven tested, we have that figure at 30 1000, 772 —— 30 1000, seven that is “p 1000, 772 —— 30 1000, seven that is up by 23%. 26 people have died, people who have died within 28 days of a positive test, so 26 people have died, and in terms of hospital admissions, that is currently 563. in terms of the vaccinations, an

increase of 211,000, 446 for that second dose. that is the daily second dose. that is the daily second dose. that is the daily second dose. —— 2011,446. in terms of the first dose, 11%. 45 point 8 million people and a total second doseis million people and a total second dose is 47.7 million, which is 66% of the total adult population in the uk. in the last hour, sir richard branson and his crew have set off from new mexico to —— have set off to fly. it comes just a few days before jeff bezos to fly. it comes just a few days beforejeff bezos has his launch. this is a live launch that you can see on the screen. our correspondent

has been following this closely. so, jonathan, where are we with this trip? what state of the trip are we at? ~ ., ~ . ., ., , at? well, we are in new mexico, as ou sa , at? well, we are in new mexico, as you say. the — at? well, we are in new mexico, as you say, the special— at? well, we are in new mexico, as you say, the special spaceport i at? well, we are in new mexico, as you say, the special spaceport that| you say, the special spaceport that they have developed, the commercial space flight. we are watching sir richard branson's unity rocket plane, which was just blasted high into the sky, it was carried to about 45,000 feet by a carrier plane, it was released, dropped down a little bit, and then in the dash ignited its motor, they pulled back on the stick and went straight up whole —— uphill for about 60 seconds. they are now approaching the top of their kind, so we are hoping that they are going to get around 90 kilometres up, you know, 55 miles up, and at that point, they will experience weightlessness. this is something that sir richard branson has been building towards a for 17 years, his virgin galactic company has been trying to develop this system, it has had a few

setbacks on the way. but this is really a key moment for him because it is kind of the test before he allows paying passengers to come on board which he will do next year. he has about 600 individuals who have really put down deposits for tickets, valid up to about $250,000 each. forthat, tickets, valid up to about $250,000 each. for that, you get to see the black of space, the curvature of the earth, extending away from you, and you also get a few minutes of weightlessness. you can get out of your seat, float to the window, look down on planet earth, so we have got the stage now where we're at the top of the climb, and we are starting to see unity descend back down to us. this particular rocket plan —— plane has a very unique system, where it folds is a shuttlecock, to make sure the pointy end of the plane, the rocket point downwards, so that it

glides back after stabilising itself and can fly back to the spaceport in new mexico. is and can fly back to the spaceport in new mexico-— and can fly back to the spaceport in newmexico. , ,., , ., new mexico. is this only about space tourism or is — new mexico. is this only about space tourism or is there _ new mexico. is this only about space tourism or is there a _ new mexico. is this only about space tourism or is there a lots _ new mexico. is this only about space tourism or is there a lots of - tourism or is there a lots of interest around wider circles? it is going to be a lot of data coming back from this trip. this going to be a lot of data coming back from this trip.— back from this trip. this is a commercial _ back from this trip. this is a commercial enterprise, i back from this trip. this is a commercial enterprise, so l back from this trip. this is a i commercial enterprise, so you will purchase tickets if you can afford them for now, to go on these, let's call them joyriders. them for now, to go on these, let's call themjoyriders. sir them for now, to go on these, let's call them joyriders. sir richard operates an airline company, virgin atlantic, he has ideas of supersonic travel in the future, point to point where you would move very fast from london to new york, for example, and may be able to go to the kind of attitude is that this particular plane is out, so you would get their very fast indeed. we are seeing a renaissance in space tourism. i don't know if you remember, going back to the 2000, there were some very wealthy individuals indeed who

paid millions to go and visit the space station for a fortnight. that ceased in 2009, there was nothing through 2010, but now there is a whole series of adventures —— ventures are starting off, jeff bizos, has started one, the founder of amazon, he has a rocket and capsule system, this system you're looking at is launched from a carrier plane, jeff bezos has a rocket on the ground that sends you straight up, the capsule comes off the top, and it's ready tojust straight up, the capsule comes off the top, and it's ready to just over 100 kilometres into space and then it comes back down. it means you get to see a great view, some weightlessness and then you get strapped back in. then we have elon musk who is going to take you into orbit as well, so you can spend several days there.— several days there. jonathan, excitinr several days there. jonathan, exciting times, _ several days there. jonathan, exciting times, an _ several days there. jonathan, exciting times, an exciting i several days there. jonathan, i exciting times, an exciting day. thank you very much indeed.