hello this is bbc news with lukwesa burak. the headlines: on the brink of history — england's [ions 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, and i know it will on sunday. there's excitement too in italy, they are unbeaten in three years and are confident that they can beat england tonight. a sixth wimbedon title. and at wimbledon it's game, set and match for novak djokovic as he beats matteo berrettini by 3—1 to take his sixth grass court title. the serb is now level pegging with federer and nadal on 20 grand slam wins. the uk's vaccine minister says the government is confident that plans to lift a range of covid restrictions will go ahead onjuly 19th 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 pm will say more about this.

and lift off for branson. the billionaire virgin galactic founder has flown to the edge of space on the company's first ever passenger flight before gliding back to earth safely. now on bbc news, it's time for sportsday. iam ——iam —— i am 0llie foster, coming up on sportsday. the most important 90 minutes of their career so far. the european championship final.

it could go to extra time and penalties, that's how italy got to the final. can england stop their three year unbeaten run? here at wimbledon, novak djokovic has done it, beating matteo berrettini in four sets to make history and win his 20th grand slam that brings him level with roger federer and rafa nadal. hello and welcome to sportsday. good evening, here we go. we have been waiting such a long time for this. england at a major championship final. time for this. england at a major championshipfinal. less time for this. england at a major championship final. less than 90 minutes away. that's why the fans started gathering on wembley way, at least ten hours before kick, they've been setting off

flares and firecrackers, it brings back so many memories of euro �*96 when the nation came together with all their focus on wembley. but, of course, this generation of players have gone one step further, the semi—final curse lifted at this tournament so we now have echoes of 1966. beating the danes four nights ago. can gareth southgate�*s team emulate sir alf ramsay's heroes and become champions at a major tournament? the atmosphere has been incredible all day. but there has been a lot of police activity, i'm afraid to say, in the last hour or so. let's head down pitch side tojohn watson. the gates have been open an hour and a half. with so many thousands of fans just wanting to be part of the day without tickets, some have, we hear, tried to force their way in. yes. without tickets, some have, we hear, tried to force their way in.— tried to force their way in. yes, we have seen — tried to force their way in. yes, we have seen those _ tried to force their way in. yes, we have seen those pictures - tried to force their way in. yes, we

have seen those pictures all - have seen those pictures all afternoon of those thousands of fans gathering on wembley way in anticipation for this match. it has been a febrile atmosphere. perhaps inevitable that excitement and anticipation has somewhat spilled over. you can only imagine there are a lot of fans who have been on wembley way today who don't have a ticket. and as a result, perhaps we do believe there have been some isolated incidents of fans trying to gain access to the stadium tonight. we have a statement that has come from a wembley stadium spokesperson. it says, "we are dealing with an incident that occurred at the outer security perimeter area of the stadium with support from police. safety measures were quickly activated in the relevant areas and there were no security breaches of people without tickets getting inside the stadium." you can read from that that those who don't have tickets and have tried to access the stadium have failed to do so. and it

appears that wembley, the officials, the marshals and stewards outside the marshals and stewards outside the stadium have this situation under control. it would appear at this stage it is only an isolated incident or an isolated number of a few incidents of fans trying to access the stadium without tickets tonight. access the stadium without tickets toni . ht. . access the stadium without tickets toniaht. . , , ., ., tonight. that is very good to hear, that some order— tonight. that is very good to hear, that some order has _ tonight. that is very good to hear, that some order has been - tonight. that is very good to hear, | that some order has been restored outside. may bejust that some order has been restored outside. may be just a few flashpoints. it has been incredible, the atmosphere. such excitement. let's get to matters on the pitch. both the teams are in position now. perhaps when we go back to the start of the tournament, this was the dream final from the way italy started. but when you look at the way that england started it, fairly low—key, wasn't it, john, throughout the group stages? it started exactly four weeks ago on that first sunday. they have grown into it, as they have got into the knockout stages. they have. and you could say that thatjourney they have. and you could say that that journey for england they have. and you could say that thatjourney for england started

many years ago, didn't it? when you think about the creation of the saint georges park, the success england have had at youth level and the appointment of gareth southgate as england manager. they have been building towards this moment. gareth southgate himself said that his team are prepared. think about the penalty shoot—out victory of the last world cup, knockout victories in this tournament. it has gone exceptionally well for england. cast your mind back to that a victory against croatia in the opening group game here at wembley, raheem sterling scoring the only goal of that game. and justifying gareth southgate's faith in him throughout this tournament. it was the first time that england as we know, have won their opening match of the european championship. that built the foundation. the draw against scotland that followed the victory against the czech republic in the final group game at the last 16 tie against germany as england won 2—0 at harry kane, the captain, finding the dolls are just the right time as they secured a first victory over germany in 55 years —— finding the

scoring atjust. a turning point for this england side in this tournament. they headed to rh ne and took on ukraine in the quarterfinal, 4-0. took on ukraine in the quarterfinal, 4—0. —— they headed to rome. jordan henderson scored his first for england, justifying the reasons why he was selected. remember harry maguire tojordan henderson for carrying injuries into this tournament. again, a decision that gareth southgate got right once again, repaid his faith from his manager with that crucial goal as just the right time. and that semifinal against denmark. and who came up with that, just the right time? is that match went to extra time. harry kane. albeit, his penalty being saved initially by kasper schmeichel. falling kindly for him. he was there for the follow—up, sparking scenes of huge jubilation inside wembley. we wait to see if we will see familiar scenes once again tonight. let's hear from gareth southgate now, scenes once again tonight. let's hearfrom gareth southgate now, who says his team will not need to do

anything special tonight. it is business as usual in preparing them for this game. in finals, actually, the key is to hit your normal level. lots of teams in finals end up under—performing. you don't have to find a level beyond where you've ever gone before.it's about hitting, about doing it's about hitting, about doing what you're good at. transferring what you're doing on the training pitch in to the match. they don't need to according to gareth southgate. we saw the england team arrive at the stadium in the last moment, they came out onto the pitch for a walk around, familiarising themselves with the atmosphere. it is limited to them, when you consider they have played every game apart from one here at wembley stadium. the increased number of fans that we have seen throughout this tournament are spurring them on. it is going to be a special atmosphere tonight. you just wait to see whether or not that

could be the deciding factor to get england over the line at long last. to emulate the achievements of that 1966 world cup winning side. we will have team use a bit later on in the programme. for have team use a bit later on in the programme-— have team use a bit later on in the programme. have team use a bit later on in the rouramme. ., ., . ~ ., programme. for the moment, back to ou. man programme. for the moment, back to yom many thanks. — programme. for the moment, back to you. many thanks, john _ programme. for the moment, back to you. many thanks, john watson. - programme. for the moment, back to you. many thanks, john watson. that| you. many thanks, john watson. that team selection the most important of gareth southgate's managerial career. that is a big factor. we will be back withjohn pitch side or “p will be back withjohn pitch side or up in the gods, he has the best seats in the house, late in the programme. notjustabout seats in the house, late in the programme. not just about these english fans who will be throwing all their support behind gareth southgate's team. we have spotted former england players, those who have played at major tournaments and fallen short. they are all throwing the weight of their support behind gareth southgate's team and his players. willing them on to go so much further than they could have ever dreamt of. danny mills, he was one of the key squad members and

played a fairfew one of the key squad members and played a fair few matches at the 2002 world cup injapan and south korea. they got knocked out by brazil in the quarterfinals, that freakish ronaldinho free kick, the backpedalling david seaman. danny mills came and joined me up here. he isjust mills came and joined me up here. he is just loving mills came and joined me up here. he isjust loving this mills came and joined me up here. he is just loving this england team. now the players have got to a final, the pressure is off. the semifinal is the one you don't want to go out. it is amazing. i can't believe the amount of ex players that are turning up, not working but turning up turning up, not working but turning up as fans. gareth has changed the whole sort of psyche and the whole. .. whole sort of psyche and the whole... i think feeling towards these young england players. i think that's his biggest achievement. and i think the difference you mentioned between all those other managers is they've always tried to shoehorn in they've always tried to shoehorn in the best players. and they often put them in the wrong positions, just to get the best players into the team. we've seen with gareth, what he's done is he's played the best players in the formation he wants to play. whether that goes against popular

opinion or not, leaving foden, greenish, sancho out, playing kieran trippierat greenish, sancho out, playing kieran trippier at left back, he's done the best thing he sees fit for the team, regardless of status or how these players are. that's the biggest compliment. gareth southgate has been so impressive and measured and impressive and measured and impressive as he was when he was the fa's head of elite development. that was a role he held. he had such a say in the blueprints behind saint george's park, the england training camp they have so enjoyed staying at. it open to nine years ago. he set up the way that it operates, bringing all the england age groups together, the women's team, the developmental teams, the disabled teams, as well. all in one place. and this whole england environment has benefited from that. mike rigg was also part of the team that helped to establish st george's park. he's very complimentary about

southgate's input. you meet people in work and in life and you genuinely wish everything goes their way. and gareth is that quy- goes their way. and gareth is that guy. gareth was engaged right at the early stages. you know, eight or nine years ago. gareth was there at 7am when we were having monday morning meetings. he wasn'tjust turning up and doing his coaching session had been part of the camps with the 21s. he was involved at every level. he was involved in recruitment he was involved in sport science, and performance analysts. you know he was genuinely interested in the whole dna concept, and he was part of these discussions. so him understanding every element of what we did, and what was being done... there's no surprise, now, that he understands what makes the players tick and he understands what happens, you know, in terms of what will create a successful england winning team and he's been fundamental and central to that without a doubt.

certainly, southgate's impact on england runs much deeper than his time in charge of the senior men's team. team news when we come back to wembley. wimbledon has concluded. we have been there for a fantastic fortnight. i'm not sure if this bodes well for england, but we have a beaten italian finalist! we certainly do. _ a beaten italian finalist! - certainly do. wimbledon ends for me how it started, with me holding my umbrella. it is absolutely pouring with rain, the heavens have opened. djokovic won't be too bothered about that now, he is cuddling the wimbledon trophy for the sixth time. what is even more significant is the number 20. what is even more significant is the number20. he is what is even more significant is the number 20. he is level with roger federer at rafa nadal, a player who has made no secret of how much he chases history and numbers. he wants to be the greatest of all time and now he is level with his idols. matteo berrettini, the italian,

seventh seed, roberto mancini tweeted congratulations to him, saying italy is with you at wimbledon as wimbledon as much as we are with the team at italy before the match. berrettini started not how he would want to a set have, point down at 5—2 but battled back into this first set and won the first set by 7—6. finding some of his best tennis. 1! wins in a bow from berrettini going into this final. novak djokovic, like he has done so many times before when he is a set down, he fights and fights and fights. the best return in the history of this game. he found the answers he needed and got thejob done. he makes the history that he longed to. now he will be looking ahead to the us open at the olympics and no man in the history of tennis has ever achieved. after the match, he was asked about getting to that number 20 and levelling federer and nadal. it means none of us three will stop, it means none of us three will stop, i think_ it means none of us three will stop, i think that — it means none of us three will stop, i think that is what it means. look, i think that is what it means. look,

i have _ i think that is what it means. look, i have mentioned this before many times, _ i have mentioned this before many times, i_ i have mentioned this before many times, i have to pay a great tribute to rafa _ times, i have to pay a great tribute to rafa and — times, i have to pay a great tribute to rafa and roger. applause they are legends of our sport. they are, you _ they are legends of our sport. they are, you know, the two most important _ are, you know, the two most important players that i ever faced in my— important players that i ever faced in my career. they are, i think, the reason _ in my career. they are, i think, the reason that— in my career. they are, i think, the reason that i— in my career. they are, i think, the reason that i am where i am today. djokovic with the win that many people were predicting. a short while ago, before it started raining, got the thoughts of former british number one and us open finalist, greg rusedski. this was huge for novak djokovic to bbecause _ this was huge for novak djokovic to bbecause he had all the pressure and expectation. everyone was saying he was unstoppable as he will win this tournament easily. he was nervous today, _ tournament easily. he was nervous today, got— tournament easily. he was nervous today, got up 5—2 of the opening set 7—6, _ today, got up 5—2 of the opening set 7-6. batten— today, got up 5—2 of the opening set 7—6, batten down the hatches and won the next _ 7—6, batten down the hatches and won the next three sets. an amazing champion — the next three sets. an amazing champion. to win 20 majors is astounding. rafa nadal with 20 and roger— astounding. rafa nadal with 20 and roger with 20 but djokovic can get

to 25_ roger with 20 but djokovic can get to 25 or— roger with 20 but djokovic can get to 25 or 26— roger with 20 but djokovic can get to 25 or 26 and he could win the catendar— to 25 or 26 and he could win the calendar grand slam as well as the golden— calendar grand slam as well as the golden slam, which no male tennis player— golden slam, which no male tennis player has— golden slam, which no male tennis player has done before. in golden slam, which no male tennis player has done before.— golden slam, which no male tennis player has done before. in terms of the first set, _ player has done before. in terms of the first set, berrettini _ player has done before. in terms of the first set, berrettini wins - player has done before. in terms of the first set, berrettini wins it - the first set, berrettini wins it but we saw djokovic do it in the past. what gives him that ability, more than any other player too, even when he's down, to think, i can still win this match. we saw it again tsitsipas and many times before. he has so many. it is again tsitsipas and many times before. he has so many. it is the mental fortitude, _ before. he has so many. it is the mental fortitude, no _ before. he has so many. it is the mental fortitude, no question - before. he has so many. it is the i mental fortitude, no question about it. if mental fortitude, no question about it if you _ mental fortitude, no question about it. if you look at his background, he grew— it. if you look at his background, he grew up— it. if you look at his background, he grew up in serbia and had to deal with the _ he grew up in serbia and had to deal with the war— he grew up in serbia and had to deal with the war going on. he has had adversity— with the war going on. he has had adversity and has had to go through things— adversity and has had to go through things in— adversity and has had to go through things in his life that is so difficult _ things in his life that is so difficult and not related to tennis but that— difficult and not related to tennis but that makes you the person who you are _ but that makes you the person who you are. when he is down and has challenges, — you are. when he is down and has challenges, he steps up and he is so driven _ challenges, he steps up and he is so driven he _ challenges, he steps up and he is so driven. he talks about being on his journey _ driven. he talks about being on his journey his— driven. he talks about being on his journey. hisjourney is driven. he talks about being on his journey. his journey is to driven. he talks about being on his journey. hisjourney is to be driven. he talks about being on his journey. his journey is to be the best— journey. his journey is to be the best tennis _ journey. his journey is to be the best tennis player that has ever played — best tennis player that has ever played this game and be men's or women's — played this game and be men's or women's game. he was 25 slams even

though— women's game. he was 25 slams even though he — women's game. he was 25 slams even though he doesn't say it publicly and i_ though he doesn't say it publicly and i think he is going to do it. he has and i think he is going to do it. has made no and i think he is going to do it. he: has made no secret of being driven by his place in history. in terms of a popularity contest, which we know it isn't, there is so much love for federer and nadal. djokovicjust federer and nadal. djokovic just doesn't federer and nadal. djokovicjust doesn't get it on that level. do you think he is bothered by that? i think he is bothered by that? i think he is bothered by that? i think it drives him. it makes it more — think it drives him. it makes it more ambitious, want more. let's look— more ambitious, want more. let's look at _ more ambitious, want more. let's look at the — more ambitious, want more. let's look at the french open this year when _ look at the french open this year when he — look at the french open this year when he beat rafa, the crowd was all for novak— when he beat rafa, the crowd was all for novak, _ when he beat rafa, the crowd was all for novak, they wanted to see him win the _ for novak, they wanted to see him win the title. even at wimbledon when _ win the title. even at wimbledon when he — win the title. even at wimbledon when he got his hands lifted up and said. _ when he got his hands lifted up and said. he _ when he got his hands lifted up and said, he said i want to hear something, you heard novak roar through— something, you heard novak roar through the crowd. once rafa nadal and roger— through the crowd. once rafa nadal and roger will go away, the crowd will appreciate this guy. he deserves the credit. he is an amazing _ deserves the credit. he is an amazing champion and what he is achieving — amazing champion and what he is achieving a — amazing champion and what he is achieving a truly phenomenal. to achieving a truly phenomenal. confirm, you achieving a truly phenomenal. trr confirm, you think you will go on and win the us open and olympic gold before that to complete that golden slam? . , ,

slam? the hardest event will be the gi mics slam? the hardest event will be the olympics because — slam? the hardest event will be the olympics because there _ slam? the hardest event will be the olympics because there are - slam? the hardest event will be the olympics because there are no - slam? the hardest event will be the | olympics because there are no fans. two out _ olympics because there are no fans. two out of— olympics because there are no fans. two out of three sets. do i think he will win— two out of three sets. do i think he will win the — two out of three sets. do i think he will win the us open and has an calendar? — will win the us open and has an calendar? yes. i don't know if he will calendar? yes. idon't know if he will win— calendar? yes. i don't know if he will win the — calendar? yes. i don't know if he will win the golden slam. it will be the hardest part in tokyo. we will wait and — the hardest part in tokyo. we will wait and see. the hardest part in tokyo. we will wait and see-— the hardest part in tokyo. we will wait and see. greg rusedski, thank ou. wait and see. greg rusedski, thank you thank — wait and see. greg rusedski, thank you thank you — greg rusedski speaking a short while ago. this has been a wimbledon like no other, played in a pandemic for the first time, one of the wettest we have had in recent years. in the end, the world number one in the men's and women's walking away with the singles title. time to tell you the singles title. time to tell you the mixed doubles final is currently being played with british interest on both sides. neil stops key and his partner desiree taken the first set 6—2. you can watch that on the bbc. from me at wimbledon, that is all from us. only one place to go back to and that is wembley, back to you, olly foster.

many thanks indeed. a fantastic fortnight from him and the team. you have cursed us with your big umbrella! the heavens have opened here at wembley. we have shown you already how england progressed to this european championship final. their second majorfinal in this european championship final. their second major final in 55 years. the azzurri, they are used to reaching finals, four time world cup winners. let's show you what they've done over the past month. italy are into the final. what a team at roberto mancini has put together here. for team at roberto mancini has put together here.— together here. for all the talk of football coming _ together here. for all the talk of football coming home, - together here. for all the talk of football coming home, there - together here. for all the talk of - football coming home, there remains the rival and passion of rome. whilst italy's wait for major football success has been comparatively short, the desire for victory tonight is overwhelming. italy are far from just guests at england's�*s party. translation: taste

england's's party. translation: we have england's's party. translation: - have to enjoy it. we have to really enjoy it. we have to be carefree and a bit crazy. these are the ingredients that allowed us to get to this point and that can help us win this trophy. like to this point and that can help us win this trophy.— to this point and that can help us win this trophy. like england, italy have enjoyed _ win this trophy. like england, italy have enjoyed at — win this trophy. like england, italy have enjoyed at least _ win this trophy. like england, italy have enjoyed at least some - win this trophy. like england, italy have enjoyed at least some home | have enjoyed at least some home comforts. an opening night win over turkey... comforts. an opening night win over turke , : comforts. an opening night win over turkey- - -- as _ comforts. an opening night win over| turkey. . .- as comprehensive turkey... insignia. as comprehensive as it was in — turkey... insignia. as comprehensive as it was in france _ turkey... insignia. as comprehensive as it was in france daly _ turkey... insignia. as comprehensive as it was in france daly impressive. l as it was in france daly impressive. they have lit up rome tonight. another— they have lit up rome tonight. another chance to shine came just days later, thumping switzerland. italy were rapidly looking like the team to beat. rounding off their group with yet another win, this time against wales.— group with yet another win, this time against wales. verratti. the flick on is brilliant. _ time against wales. verratti. the flick on is brilliant. three - time against wales. verratti. the flick on is brilliant. three from i flick on is brilliant. three from three. flick on is brilliant. three from three- and _ flick on is brilliant. three from three. and then _ flick on is brilliant. three from three. and then to _ flick on is brilliant. three from three. and then to wembley. l flick on is brilliant. three from - three. and then to wembley. austria provided a rather sterner test but italy pass, flying colours and all. belgium next in the quarterfinals and one of the goals of the tournament.— and one of the goals of the tournament. , . : ., ., tournament. insignia! what a hit! the penalty _ tournament. insignia! what a hit! the penalty shoot-out _

tournament. insignia! what a hit! the penalty shoot-out against - tournament. insignia! what a hit! i the penalty shoot-out against spain the penalty shoot—out against spain was nerve shredding. italy have got to this final. italy have proved of late possible to beat. 33 games almost three years without defeat. an extraordinary story that will take something special to stop rome celebrating tonight. adam wilde, bbc news. why don't we get the view from rome straightaway, our correspondent mark lohan is there. anticipation levels, can they do it? can they get back onto the top table and lift the trophy, these italians?- onto the top table and lift the trophy, these italians? well, it is at fever pitch. — trophy, these italians? well, it is at fever pitch, i _ trophy, these italians? well, it is at fever pitch, i can _ trophy, these italians? well, it is at fever pitch, i can tell— trophy, these italians? well, it is at fever pitch, i can tell you. - trophy, these italians? well, it is at fever pitch, i can tell you. you | at fever pitch, i can tell you. you heard that there would have to be a lot to stop the celebrations in rome and they are already celebrating here, just the mere fact of getting to the final and being able to go out and watch it on their own with groups of friends, big screens and impulse, as well. the fact that roberto mancini has brought use and

confidence back to a team that was in despair —— in bars as well. they despaired not qualifying for a world cup for the first time in 60 years. mancini magic has revitalised the team. you can see the verve and dynamism and joy there is, the mere fact they can do this after all this very, very tough few months of coronavirus, the economic crisis. many people here feel that they have already won. you can see in this piazza here in central rome, there are amazing weeks with the italian flags, roman gladiator helmets. roma italian flags and blue shirts everywhere. they are feeling confident. they know they are up against a very strong england side playing with a home advantage. but they feel that they are going to give it a very, very good fight indeed. it will be a finely balanced match tonight. it really could go either way. match tonight. it really could go eitherway. i match tonight. it really could go either way. i have to say that for many of the people here in central rome, they feel that there is

already a victory having got to this point in the first place. many thanks indeed from rome with the very latest. they will be honking their car horns and their mopedss deep into the night if italy pull off the win —— mo what can be managers do to influence the way that this european championship final goes? we had team news. they have handed in the most important team sheets of their managerial careers. john watson, back to him inside wembley. what is the news, john? back to him inside wembley. what is the news. john?— what a huge selection for gareth southgate. the biggest so far of his managerial career. it is interesting, he is clearly wary of the attacking threat posed by this italian side because we have seen a change in formation. it reverts back to the wing backs that he used in that last 16 victory against germany. the arsenal forward

that last 16 victory against germany. the arsenalforward bukayo saka drops out and kieran trippier comes in to play in that wingback system with luke shaw on the other side. england reverting to a back three of kyle walker, john stones and harry maguire. luke shaw at trippier in the two wingback roles alongside calvin phillips, declan rice, mason mount keeping his place, supporting harry kane in attack and raheem sterling with him. the other big noticeable talking point will be the absence of phil foden. we knew he was carrying a foot problem in the lead up to this. gareth southgate saying yesterday he would see whether or not he would be available in time, whether he would shakeit available in time, whether he would shake it off in time and clearly he hasn't. that will be of some concern when you consider the control that phil foden was able to offer england when he came on in the last match against denmark. when england were trying to see at that match to book their place in this final. italy, though, they are unchanged. leonardo spinazzola, the breathtaking

defender who impressed so much, he missed out in the semifinal. that injury meaning he remains unavailable. italy are unchanged. you will look at that italian midfield, won't you? marco verratti, the chelsea playmaker georgina alongside niccolo perella. naturally gifted ballplayers. is that where the game could be won for england as they change that formation coming into this huge final? we wait to see as we edge ever closer towards kick off at 8pm. very quickly, john, astonishing, really, the trust that gareth southgate has put in his two midfield holding players in declan rice from west ham and calvin phillips for newly promoted leeds, so inexperienced, really, at this level. my word, they have delivered. yes, think about the big players, raheem sterling and harry kane but they had been integral to this side

as they have been. they will look to try to shackle the italian midfield, such has been their influence and offering the defensive solidity in front ofjohn stones and harry maguire. front ofjohn stones and harry maauire. , :, front ofjohn stones and harry maauire. , ., . ., front ofjohn stones and harry maauire. . ., ., , front ofjohn stones and harry maauire. ., , ., maguire. john watson, many thanks. the best seats _ maguire. john watson, many thanks. the best seats in _ maguire. john watson, many thanks. the best seats in the _ maguire. john watson, many thanks. the best seats in the house - maguire. john watson, many thanks. the best seats in the house at - the best seats in the house at wembley stadium. we wait for the start of this european championship final stop italy against inventor. remember, england are the away team. —— final. england in the away dressing room but make no bones about it, this has been pretty much about it, this has been pretty much a home tournament for england. they will be feeding off 58,000 fans inside. you can follow the match across the bbc, listen on 5 live, bbc one and we're just over an hour away. when you have been waiting for 55 years, what is one more hour? goodbye.

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.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 7pm — cheering. the team were cheered on as they arrived at the stadium, hoping for the tournament win that has proved so elusive for decades. we'll be doing everything we can. your support and energy has given us a huge lift, and i know it will on sunday. here's the scene inside the stadium, where 65,000 mostly england supporters will be watching. gareth southgate had this message for them and the rest of the country. we will bring you more from the stadium in the course of this next half hour as england prepared to run on the page within the next a0

minutes or so.