hopes and dreams of football glory at wembley and across england as the euros final approaches. the captain and his team are on their way. they should be arriving at the stadium shortly, ready to face italy in an 8pm kick—off. 55 years. not in my lifetime have i ever seen anything like this. # football's coming home. # it's coming home, it's coming home... this is the scene live outside wembley now. those with tickets making their way inside — many others just wanting to be part of the moment. we'll have all the latest in the final countdown to the big game. also on the programme...

there is sir richard branson, now. on the edge of space — a first fully—crewed test flight for sir richard branson�*s virgin galactic craft. the government says it will still "expect" people to wear masks in many indoor spaces and on public transport after thejuly 19th rule changes in england. and it's another championship for novak djokovic as he defeats italy's matteo berrettini. good evening and welcome to wembley, where in two hours�* time england's

men will be just beginning a match that is their first football championship final for 55 years. and it is happening here on home soil. at wembley the atmosphere is electric — anticipation, excitement, hope from more than 60,000 fans here. it has been like this for several hours here already. and all those emotions are replicated across england this evening as gareth southgate�*s team face italy. our first report is from our sports editor, dan roan. carrying the hopes of a nation, england leaving their hertfordshire hotel in the last hour, bound for wembley and a date with destiny. the last leg of an epicjourney that has taken these players to the brink of sporting immortality. earlier at wembley, many savouring a day that will be etched into the fabric

of english football history. this stadium had waited 55 years for such an occasion. and by lunchtime, the party was in full swing. these the scenes a full five hours before kick—off as thousands of fans, not all with tickets, came to be part of a day they'd dreamed of. rarely if ever had this ground witnessed such a build—up. we have been waiting a long time to get this far. i just hope we we have been waiting a long time to get this far. ijust hope we have to do it now. get this far. i “ust hope we have to do it now. , ., get this far. i 'ust hope we have to do it now. , ., . ~ get this far. i 'ust hope we have to do it now. , ., a ., do it now. getting a ticket for the niuht do it now. getting a ticket for the night means _ do it now. getting a ticket for the night means everything _ do it now. getting a ticket for the night means everything to - do it now. getting a ticket for the night means everything to me. i do it now. getting a ticket for the l night means everything to me. and the whole _ night means everything to me. and the whole country. it is night means everything to me. and the whole country.— the whole country. it is about time we brin: the whole country. it is about time we bring it — the whole country. it is about time we bring it home! _ the whole country. it is about time we bring it home! they _ the whole country. it is about time we bring it home! they think- the whole country. it is about time we bring it home! they think it's . we bring it home! they think it's all over. we bring it home! they think it's all over- it _ we bring it home! they think it's all over. it is _ we bring it home! they think it's all over. it is now! _ since sir alf ramsey's england tasted world cup glory in 1966, i2 managers of the national team have tried and failed to emulate him by delivering a major trophy. but none have come as close as gareth southgate. and today, he issued the following message to england supporters.

thank you to everybody for the incredible support we've received throughout this tournament. we hope that we've represented you in the right way. we hope that you've enjoyed watching us play. but of course we know now we've got to deliver for you, so we'll be doing everything we can. your support and energy has given us a huge lift. standing in the way, however, the toughest of opponents. unbeaten for three years, italy a sterner test than anything england have yet faced at these euros. whatever today's result, england have already made great strides under southgate, a talented generation of players reaching a first—ever european championship final. and today, the fa president paid this tribute to a team that's given the country a lift when it was needed most. gareth, harry, and to every member of the england team on and off the pitch, just want to wish you the very best of luck for tonight. what a team performance it's been. every member of the squad has played their part. can't really believe this is happening, so exciting and just

wish you the very best of luck. you bring out the very best of england, and we are all behind you, the whole country's behind you. so, bring it home. the men that delivered the country's sole major trophy all those years ago are immortalised here at wembley. matching them has proved beyond those that followed. but now, finally, a new england has the chance to become legends and be remembered forever. it won't be long until that remarkable atmosphere outside comes inside wembley for what is the biggest match of these players' lives on the biggest team selection of gareth southgate's career as a manager. he has made a big call because bukayo saka, the youngster who has done so well, has been dropped and in comes kieran trippier. that will be seen as a little cautious by some and defensive but everything southgate has tried in these euros has come

off, all of his selections have been vindicated and the fans fully trust him. also a sign of the respect he has for an italian side that are unbeaten in 33 games and who unlike england, have big match pedigree in momentous occasions such as this at major tournaments. those scenes outside, i doubt wembley has everything quite like that, not an english sport, but it gives a sense of how much this has been needed in a covid weary nation and after so many years of hurt for the english football team. whatever happens, southgate has taken a big leap forward with the side but if england win and deliver, it will draw a line under one of sport's most enduring narratives, why is it that england cannot succeed at major tournaments? thank you very much. well, the italian team come here with a run of victories behind them in this tournament and in the last three years. they know england have a home crowd around them here,

but also how the dreams of their compatriots in italy are resting on their shoulders. 0ur correspondent mark lowen reports from rome. from every piazza comes the message... this is the moment for italy to shine. in rome's campo de' fiori, the mood — and the temperature — are building. but even the chance of italy's first european football title since 1968 doesn't get this nation away from a serene lunch. and also very positive. you think that italy will do well? yes, i think so. this is a beautiful final, in my opinion. it's a very beautiful... two teams that have the history and respect each other and so we already won, in my opinion. translation: after a difficult moment for italy and also - for england, with coronavirus and the economic problems, it would give us confidence. people would feel satisfied. but whatever happens, we'll be happy.

roberto mancini has worked wonders for an italian team now unbeaten for 33 matches. italy knows it needs all the dazzling moves tonight to beat a strong england playing with a home advantage. but the azzurri have already brought joy back to this country. and that is the mancini magic. this football—passionate country already has its team on a pedestal. victory tonight, and they'll be heroes for generations to come. forza italia! the lunchtime calm has given way to excitement as the kick—off draws close. they have limited crowds in the square to just 2000 people to follow restrictions so a lot of italians will watch the game at home. that i can tell you, up and down the boot of italy, they will be praying for the winning kick. thank

you very much. mark lowen in rome. to the rest of the day's news now and sir richard branson flew to the edge of space this afternoon— during virgin galactic�*s first fully—crewed flight. take—off from new mexico was slightly delayed by bad weather but the flight is being seen as a milestone for the commercial space industry. sir richard said it was the experience of a lifetime. from spaceport america, sophie long reports. about ten years and an hour and a half behind schedule, in one of the most desolate areas of north america, a lifelong dream became reality. sir richard branson, along with two pilots and three other virgin galactic employees, were transported to the spaceship unity tethered to the mothership eve. then take—off. this is the moment he's been waiting for. after more than 16 years and hundreds of millions of pounds, sir richard branson is now on his way to space. that's so cool. so, you can see the moment when they release right there.

are you so excited to experience that? forjust under four minutes, they experienced weightlessness and enjoyed a view of planet earth that only astronauts can dream of. well, i've done some ridiculous things in my lifetime. really, really, really ridiculous. but ijust can't wait for... ..one day to experience this. it's the experience of a lifetime. and touchdown. safely back on earth after a 90—minute flight. critics call this a billionaire's joyride, harmfulto the planet — sir richard says he wants to protect. for the people here at the first purpose—built commercial spaceport on the planet, this passenger flight marks an historic moment in the long and continuing journey towards space tourism becoming a reality. sophie long, bbc news, spaceport america, new mexico. here, 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 the rules will end on the 19th ofjuly, including the legal requirement to wear masks. here's our health correspondent, jim reed. it's one of the most visible signs of the pandemic. injust over the week, the legal requirement to wear a mask in england is set to end. speaking earlier, though, the vaccines minister said there would still be an expectation to mask up in some cases. 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. so rather than governed by diktat, what we're saying is we move to step four cautiously. in wales, scotland and northern ireland, wearing a mask will still be law for the time being. in england, laboursaid making the rule voluntary

would be a mistake. we think more could be done to make sure the public spaces are properly ventilated. and as we've said all the way through this crisis, people who do need to go home to self—isolate need, if they are on low incomes, to be financially supported. it comes as infections are rising across much of the country. more people are mixing and there are signs the football has led to a spike among young men. though in scotland that trend has started to reverse. we have a registration card. across the uk, ministers have said 100,000 a day could soon be testing positive. vaccines will keep the vast majority out of hospital, but some are warning there could still be disruption to the nhs. so 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.

but i guess the judgment is that it's better that we do it now than in the winter. tomorrow, borisjohnson will confirm plans to lift most of those last restrictions in england. but the message will be one of caution rather than celebration as ministers try to navigate out of this pandemic. jim reed, bbc news. and from the latest official figures on the virus we can see another 26 deaths recorded in the last 2a hours and 31,772 new infections across the uk. it means on average there were around 31,500 new cases per day in the past week. more than 93,000 people had a first dose of the vaccine in the last 2a hours. that means nearly 46 million people have had theirfirstjab — or 87% of uk adults. more than 211,000 people have just had a second dose, which means more than 34.5 million — or 61% of adults —

are fully vaccinated. 0nto wimbledon, and it's been a centre court thriller for the final of the men's singles. winning his sixth wimbledon final, novak djokovic has equalled roger federer and rafael nadal�*s 20 grand slam titles. the italian matteo berrettini took the serb to four sets. but as joe wilson reports from the all—england club, the world number one was just too strong. at wimbledon, there are always people we miss. strong look. but now, a first opportunity for matteo berrettini. against him, novak djokovic, the ultimate immovable opponent. but when berrettini raised his game, we heard. oh, it's in! london supporting italy, hours before wembley. 71 minute first set settled in a flash. wow! that is a bullet!

well, if djokovic was shocked, a bit, he reacted. took the second set 6—4 and let's be clear, he is respected globally as a true sporting great. but djokovic wanted to feel the love on centre, "let's hear you", he gestured and then, "read the score". and as berrettini faulted, it was 6—4, it was 2—1. passed three hours went the final. louder grew the noise. "matteo" chanted many. djokovic chased everything. who's winning this point? the world number one. and the break of serve followed. it should be a gripping rally on championship point. it should be a challenge to achieve something momentous. it was. grand slam title number 20. the last ten years has been an incredible journey... ..that is not stopping here. with this, djokovic is now level with federer and nadal and surely they will have been watching.

all three major titles this year so far to djokovic, the olympics, the us open to come for potentially a year of perfection. as for right now, we are gearing up to the final, almost a very british mixed doubles... thank you very much. and back here at wembley the anticipation is building with every passing moment. the final of the euros is upon us — and england are in it, on home soil. gareth southgate said at the beginning that memories are made watching these tournaments. and tonight england fans hope he and the squad can deliver the ultimate moment and memory to savour. that is it from us. we will be back around 10:30pm. from us, goodbye.

hello. this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. england's footballers are preparing themselves for their most important match in decades. they have arrived at wembley stadium for their match against italy. kick—off is at 8pm this evening and will be the most watched television eventin will be the most watched television event in the uk in broadcasting history. 0nboard is the team, the captain, the manager, and they have now arrived at wembley stadium. the players actually left their hotel about an hour ago with supporters chanting. supporters chanted "it's coming home" as the squad

boarded the team bus. the players, wearing masks, waved to fans gathered outside and had a welcome when they arrived at the hotel as well. the hertfordshire hotel is where they stayed on saturday night in preparation for the crunch match. so the team have arrived at wembley stadium. kick—off is at 8pm this evening. earlier, the england manager gareth southgate had this message for fans. hi there. just wanted to take the time to say thank you to everybody for the incredible support we've received throughout this tournament. we hope that we've represented you in the right way. we hope that you've enjoyed watching us play. i'm very grateful to all of the players and the incredible staff i've got with me that we've been able to get to our first final for 55 years, but of course we know now we've got to deliver for you. so, we'll be doing

everything we can. your support and energy has given us a huge lift, and i know it will on sunday. let's ta ke let's take you to trafalgar square. there have been these gatherings across london and i'm sure across england today. this is trafalgar square. this is one of the fans owns. it looks very ordered so far. they are obviously gearing up and getting ready for tonight's action. it is going to be electric. we've been speaking to lots of our correspondencejoining been speaking to lots of our correspondence joining the fans at these span sounds. let's cross to wembley stadium now. that if the life scene there at wembley way, and that has pretty much been the scene from the off today. you would have thought the match actually started this morning. the atmosphere, the singing, we been reporting live from

outside wembley, but we do know now and we have seen that the england team have arrived at the stadium. this is central london. this is still trafalgar square, is that right? yes, that is. if you are wondering when kick—off is, there is a little time or it to the right of your screen there. you have got one hour and 38 minutes to get the orangejuice in and it hour and 38 minutes to get the orange juice in and it settled hour and 38 minutes to get the orangejuice in and it settled down for this evening's match. but look at that. the crowds have just been swelling throughout today. the more ordered tables of one of the fans zones but the fans have been gathering outside that as well. we are bringing you all the action hero bbc one of course i do make sure you join us. earlier this year, bono released the official uefa euro 2020 song, we are the people. it features the community getting ready for the build—up to this year's competition.

well, shashi and pallu patel both featured in the video. without realising it would reach over 15 million hits online. theyjoin me now with their sons, deep and meet. thank you to all four of you. hello. 0h, thank you to all four of you. hello. oh, and look at that. you were all decked out in the colours. tell us about this video.— about this video. well, it was incredible _ about this video. well, it was incredible how _ about this video. well, it was incredible how it _ about this video. well, it was incredible how it came - about this video. well, it was incredible how it came about| about this video. well, it was - incredible how it came about because about four weeks ago, we had an e—mail to our facebook page and it said would you like to do some filming in your shop for a small promotional music video. me and my brother were thinking it looks like a scam so we would say delete that but my parents were determined to help because they always have helped people in their shop and the shop window is agitating up with posters

about good karma and kindness from helping with little things like using talcum powder around places to stop ants. match to stop snails and not using poisons for mice to helping the elderly and delivering. so we can help all these little things why don't we help these people? things why don't we help these eo - le? , things why don't we help these eo . le? , ., , things why don't we help these --eole? , ., things why don't we help these n-eole? , ., ., ., people? yes, it was a good idea. you had to have — people? yes, it was a good idea. you had to have the _ people? yes, it was a good idea. you had to have the ability _ people? yes, it was a good idea. you had to have the ability to _ people? yes, it was a good idea. you had to have the ability to help. - people? yes, it was a good idea. you had to have the ability to help. we i had to have the ability to help. we are fromm — had to have the ability to help. we are from... if he says to us, when they— are from... if he says to us, when they come — are from... if he says to us, when they come to _ are from... if he says to us, when they come to you to ask for the help. _ they come to you to ask for the help. just — they come to you to ask for the help, just help them. and be a good person— help, just help them. and be a good person to _ help, just help them. and be a good person to everyone and that is what we are _ person to everyone and that is what we are doing. i person to everyone and that is what we are doing-— we are doing. i wonder if i could turn to you. _ we are doing. i wonder if i could turn to you, how— we are doing. i wonder if i could turn to you, how have _ we are doing. i wonder if i could turn to you, how have the - we are doing. i wonder if i could - turn to you, how have the customers reacted to seeing you featuring, your news agency featuring in this video? yourface your news agency featuring in this video? your face tells a picture there. , ., ,., video? your face tells a picture there. , ., ., , _ ., there. they are so happy. some of

them, there. they are so happy. some of them. how — there. they are so happy. some of them. how can _ there. they are so happy. some of them, how can you _ there. they are so happy. some of them, how can you come - there. they are so happy. some of them, how can you come in - there. they are so happy. some of them, how can you come in there, j there. they are so happy. some ofl them, how can you come in there, i don't _ them, how can you come in there, i don't know — them, how can you come in there, i don't know. butjust we thought it was going — don't know. butjust we thought it was going to be the e—mail and it suddenly— was going to be the e—mail and it suddenly my voice, can you help the people _ suddenly my voice, can you help the pepple and — suddenly my voice, can you help the people and a lot of people are coming — people and a lot of people are coming here, students are coming here for— coming here, students are coming here for the — coming here, students are coming here for the help, for the video for work_ here for the help, for the video for work and _ here for the help, for the video for work and studying. so, we have something _ work and studying. so, we have something like that and my sisters and my— something like that and my sisters and my voice can i go on, help them. they— and my voice can i go on, help them. they needed — and my voice can i go on, help them. they needed your help, so you want to help _ they needed your help, so you want to help because it is my gear he says— to help because it is my gear he says to — to help because it is my gear he says to us, _ to help because it is my gear he says to us, help those who need help _ says to us, help those who need help so — says to us, help those who need help. so we did it and it is so incredible _ help. so we did it and it is so incredible. they want to start with the man_ incredible. they want to start with the man but they started with me and i the man but they started with me and i have _ the man but they started with me and i have never_ the man but they started with me and i have never done anything like that _ i have never done anything like that it— i have never done anything like that. . , . i have never done anything like that. ., , ., �* , i have never done anything like that. ., �*y , ., that. it was great. by becoming and recouunisin that. it was great. by becoming and recognising her— that. it was great. by becoming and recognising her from _ that. it was great. by becoming and recognising her from the _ that. it was great. by becoming and recognising her from the video - that. it was great. by becoming and recognising her from the video and | recognising her from the video and say can— recognising her from the video and say can we — recognising her from the video and say can we have _ recognising her from the video and say can we have a _ recognising her from the video and say can we have a selfie _ recognising her from the video and say can we have a selfie with - recognising her from the video and say can we have a selfie with her? | say can we have a selfie with her? your— say can we have a selfie with her? your famous! _ say can we have a selfie with her? your famous! there _ say can we have a selfie with her? your famous! there we _ say can we have a selfie with her? your famous! there we go - say can we have a selfie with her? | your famous! there we go commit say can we have a selfie with her? - your famous! there we go commit we just saw you there in the video.

looked fantastic. what is the spirit being like within your local community in the build up with these matches? i can see the colours behind you. that says a lot anyway. butjust behind you. that says a lot anyway. but just tell us about the spirit behind you. that says a lot anyway. butjust tell us about the spirit of this night, this evening. we butjust tell us about the spirit of this night, this evening.- this night, this evening. we can show ou this night, this evening. we can show you the — this night, this evening. we can show you the spirit. _ this night, this evening. we canj show you the spirit. laughter. i came show you the spirit. laughter. i came here _ show you the spirit. laughter. i came here with _ show you the spirit. laughter. i came here with this _ show you the spirit. laughter. i came here with this back- show you the spirit. laughter. i came here with this back in - show you the spirit. laughter. | i came here with this back in my shop and but it does not like me but our guru and his principal says keep count to everybody, look out for everybody, help them, so we have a living that and people love us. and around here, it is like... everyone's prediction. who is going to win with what _ everyone's prediction. who is going to win with what score. _ everyone's prediction. who is going to win with what score. i _

everyone's prediction. who is going to win with what score. i love - everyone's prediction. who is going to win with what score. i love the l to win with what score. i love the fact that you _ to win with what score. i love the fact that you get _ to win with what score. i love the fact that you get nothing - to win with what score. i love the fact that you get nothing if - to win with what score. i love the fact that you get nothing if you i to win with what score. i love the l fact that you get nothing if you win apart from, yeah, being part of history as far as the country goes. i'm very quickly going to say thank you very much to the patel family. enjoy it this evening's game and thank you for all you do.- thank you for all you do. anglin! encland! thank you for all you do. anglin! england! england! _ thank you for all you do. anglin! england! england! yay! - thank you for all you do. anglin! england! england! yay! i- thank you for all you do. anglin! england! england! yay! i love. thank you for all you do. anglin!j england! england! yay! i love it. let's take england! england! yay! i love it. let's take you — england! england! yay! i love it. let's take you live _ england! england! yay! i love it. let's take you live now to wembley way. and again the crowds are just continuing to swell, and i don't know if we have at the sound on this, but there has been a noisy atmosphere from the start of today. let's just listen in very quickly. it's been nonstop. 0lly foster has a reporting from their sins this morning and really battling against the sound, but such a cracking

atmosphere for everyone who has gathered there and every other fan zone, whether it's in london or anywhere else, across england. so the countdown is 8pm basically kick off and in the meantime it's very important that it stays dry this evening so let's find out how it is looking with darren. hello, there, it looks summer is going to be coming home as we head further into next week as the weather pattern sees a major change. we've had some sunshine today. we have seen cloud tending to increase, that has been producing some heavy showers, as well. the thickest of the cloud, though, has been running into wales and the south—west of england, increasingly bringing some rain and drizzle with a few heavy bursts of rain heading through the english channel. low pressure responsible for that wetter weather, that's moving in from the south—west and we will see that rain pushing its way further east as we head into this evening. whilst it has been dry for much of the day in london, we could well get some rain in time for the football, i'm sure it won't dampen the spirits at all. here's that wetter weather pushing its way through the midlands,

towards the south—east of england, this evening. ahead of it, we've got some heavy, thundery showers. those will fade away from scotland. it becomes drier in northern ireland, but it does get wetter more widely, actually, across england and wales. it's going to be quite warm with that cloud and rain around, temperatures perhaps no lower than 15 degrees. but monday is quite a messy day, we've got this wetter weather across england and wales, moving slowly northwards. it may well start to break up a bit, the cloud thinning, a bit of sunshine coming through and that will trigger some heavy, thundery downpours, particularly across scotland, perhaps northern england and especially towards the south—east of england, where we could have some local flooding by the end of the day. it looks a bit drier and warmer than today across northern ireland, wales and the south—west, but no doubt the details will change. low pressure, then, bringing the wet weather to the start of the week. it starts to slip away into continental europe and things start to dry off a bit. during tuesday, we've still got the heaviest rain probably the other side of the channel but close enough to bring the risk of heavy showers towards the south—east of england.

elsewhere, the showers fewer and lighter. it's drying off from the west, a bit more sunshine coming through and that will lift the temperatures by a couple of degrees. moving from tuesday into wednesday, we have to look at what the upper level winds are doing, the jet stream. much more buckling in the pattern on the other side of the atlantic. that means the jet is going to get steered to the north of the uk and rather than low pressure, it's high pressure that will make a welcome return later on in the week. really from wednesday onwards, it looks much drier. there will be some cloud around, some sunshine at times. not hot, but a pleasant 2a or 25 celsius.

hello this is bbc news with lukwesa burak. the headlines: 0n the brink of history — england's lions are cheered on as they head to wembly for tonight's euro 2020 final — their biggest match in more than half a century. we need it this year. after the time we've had, we need some of this. we need excitement. we need to be behind our country, don't we? with 90 minutes to kickoff, thousands are gathering on wembley way in support of gareth southgate's team — and he had this message for them: we'll be doing everything we can.

your support and energy has given us a huge lift,