high ground of piling up over the high ground of the pennines and rain into the north midlands and north wales and to the south, are mainly dry but rather murky start to the day and we take our band of cloud, rain, sleet and snow south and much of the snow over high ground but we could see wintry nurse coming to low levels and plenty of snow in the showers pushing into the north on a brisk breeze. 12 degrees in the south but for most of us we are looking at highs between five and 8 degrees, below the normal, well below for the time of year. tomorrow night, the area of rain, sleet and snow pushes south and could give a covering over high ground and possibly even at low levels and for thursday, sunny spells, but lots of wintry showers and a brisk, cold north or north easterly wind and top temperatures for most of us between five and 8 degrees, may be getting up to ten in the west in glasgow and in plymouth. things slowly turn a bit less cold,

but only a bit, through friday and into the weekend. a reminder of our top story... russia says it will drastically reduce military operations around the ukrainian capital, kyiv at peace talks in istanbul. that's all from the bbc news at six. so, it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm gavin ramjaun. first they toppled italy, next up, a date with destiny against portugal. a win for minnows north macedonia tonight — and world cup history beckons.

the home nations are in action too, it's a huge day for wales keeper wayne hennessey who's set win his 100th cap. and a special moment for christian eriksen — the denmark midfielder leads the side out, in the same copenhagen stadium where he suffered that life—changing cardiac arrest last summer. also coming up in the programme. and the new super—charged electric scooter racing series comes to the uk. we speak to the former champion speed skater, who's competing. hello there, and welcome along to sportsday on a busy evening of international football. the home nations are in action in friendlies, but there are more pressing matters for others including cristiano ronaldo, and his portugal side. it's all or nothing for them, in their world cup playoff final —

against underdogs north macedonia. what an upset it could be. north macedonia stunned italy last week, knocking the european champions out — and have the chance to make a first ever world cup finals. obviously this is a very important match in the history of our football. maybe many did not believe there will be present at this press conference but here we are. but this is not a coincidence. this team has something that may be the others don't have and i'm very proud of the feats that we have achieved and we are ready for this final. i feats that we have achieved and we are ready for this final.— are ready for this final. i would like all of _ are ready for this final. i would like all of the _ are ready for this final. i would like all of the stadium - are ready for this final. i would like all of the stadium to - are ready for this final. i would like all of the stadium to sing i are ready for this final. i would l like all of the stadium to sing for the national anthem without the music_ the national anthem without the music being played. just to see the cloud, _ music being played. just to see the cloud, the — music being played. just to see the cloud, the energy of the positivity being _ cloud, the energy of the positivity being played. i'm sure we can do that because of the portuguese people — that because of the portuguese people support us as they did against — people support us as they did against turkey last week, i am sure we will_ against turkey last week, i am sure we will win— against turkey last week, i am sure we will win the match. so ronaldo seems pretty confident there — but this north macedonia side have proven themselves against

the giants of europe before. joe lynskyjoins me in the studio now with more on this game — aswell as the other world cup playoffs tonight. joe, how have north macedonia found themselves in this position? this is a new playoff qualifying method for the world cup gathering but it is such an interesting winner takes all italian porto. north macedonia there against portugal for a place for pathways to the tournament for teams to finish runners up and make it through to the stage through uefa's nations league competition. north macedonia are still in the depths of the ranking system. number 67 in the world and that make them the lowest ranked team ever to qualify for the european championships last summer and for such a small nation ofjust 2 million people, they are really growing reputation of causing upsets against the major teams. not only with that 1—0 victory against italy last thursday nearly 12 months ago

now, and germany that was the first time the germans a lost world cup qualifierfor 20 years. time the germans a lost world cup qualifier for 20 years. but in between those two results, north macedonia beat georgia to earn that place at euro $2020 followed by a disappointing campaign with a lost all three group games and so, which version of north macedonia site can we expect to show up tonight? we asked one reporter who follows the team. 3 asked one reporter who follows the team. ,, , ., , ., , ., ., ., team. 5 germany, italy and poland. portuaal team. 5 germany, italy and poland. portugal comes _ team. 5 germany, italy and poland. portugal comes next. _ team. 5 germany, italy and poland. portugal comes next. of— team. 5 germany, italy and poland. portugal comes next. of a - team. 5 germany, italy and poland. portugal comes next. of a strong i portugal comes next. of a strong team with much _ portugal comes next. of a strong team with much quality - portugal comes next. of a strong team with much quality players. | portugal comes next. of a strong . team with much quality players. and many _ team with much quality players. and many of _ team with much quality players. and many of them will be motivational because _ many of them will be motivational because the world cup before now and imagine _ because the world cup before now and imagine how it would be for this

group _ imagine how it would be for this group of— imagine how it would be for this group of players to be the first to qualify for— group of players to be the first to qualify for the world cup in macedonia. it would mean the world to them _ macedonia. it would mean the world to them and of course, portugal is good _ to them and of course, portugal is good quality but in terms of motivation, i do know of the left the edge — motivation, i do know of the left the edge. it motivation, i do know of the left the edae. ., ., ., ., the edge. it would mean the world to them we saw — the edge. it would mean the world to them we saw the _ the edge. it would mean the world to them we saw the scenes _ the edge. it would mean the world to them we saw the scenes of— the edge. it would mean the world to them we saw the scenes of the - them we saw the scenes of the capital. but only the level of hurt they'll be in the streets of portugal should north macedonia denied this man a place at his fifth and surely find a world cup finals. portugal last failed to make the world cup in 1998, but will be wary that back in november they only needed to draw against serbia to go through automatically but they lost 2—1 through a goal in stoppage time. in tonight's other european play—off, two more superstars face each other — robert lewandowski's poland play sweden and ao—year—old zlatan ibrahimovic, who came out of international retirement after five years away last year, and now in his forties,

looks to reach the world cup again. all of these ties so delicately poised in africa — where after three years of qualifying, all five of the continent's world cup places are decided tonight, by these play—off second legs. it means so much to all of these nations — but with so few spots available it does mean some notable players will miss out. most obviously, one of liverpool's sadio mane or mo salah will be eliminated, with senegal currently playing egypt. they have kicked off in that second leg in the last half hour.

but while one of those world class players will miss out, there is an opportunity for two much smaller football nations. mali could make it to their first ever world cup if they can turn things round agaist tunisia, while dr congo could make their first finals since a pretty infamous showing as zaire in the seventies. earlier the african sportjournalist maher mezahi told me what it means to those two countries. never qualified for world cup in the congo have not qualified since 197a. those two making the world cup would probably, i mean, that would elicit scenes of celebration that we have not seen since the independence for both of those countries. it is true

that in every single one of them, they may be advantages, everything is still up for play. when tragedy is still up for play. when tragedy is egypt is playing senegal and so, either one or two of them, the superstars, in 2022 it is a tragedy not only for the african continent, but for the road game. —— world game. with the world cup finals draw on friday, this african qualifying campaign's now could come down to one moment at the very end. with that in mind we've seen all kinds of mind games going on — this was nigeria's team arriving in ghana for their first leg last week — where they were given a make—shift ladder to hop down from their plane. reportedly, the nigerians responded for this leg by turning the lights off during one of ghana's training sessions. we'll probably never fully know if that was all part of the preparation from the ghanaians but it certainly shows home much it means to so many

nations round the globe tonight. thanks, joe. the home nations games coming up — but first, a moment to remember for christian eriksen — who led denmark out earlier — against serbia. it's the first time he's featured as a player at copenhagen�*s parken stadium, since that terrible incident at the euros last summer — when he collapsed on the pitch suffering a cardiac arrest. he was fitted with a type of pacemaker to allow him to continue playing. this is turning into a realfairy tale come back for the midfielder. the 30—year—old midfielder scored on saturday, in the defeat to the netherlands. he's back getting used to those surroundings this evening... ten minutes to go and that match. an absolutely wonderful game for denmark was already qualified for the world cup finals in qatar.

no stress for england fans tonight — they too are also through, and learn their opponents for the world cup in the draw on friday. they take on ivory coast in a friendly at wembley later. the two sides have never played each other before. and for gareth southgate's england — it's an opportunity to test themselves against unfamiliar opposition, with one eye on the big tournament at the end of the year. our reporter alex howell is at wembley for us. during this international break, if you want to play non—european opponents and that's what he's got tonight. he faces the ivory coast. and they've got crystal palace, ajax nicholas from arsenal and frank was been linked to a number of elite clubs across europe and garrets of kate was talking about selecting his team when it comes to games like

this. ~ . ., , ., team when it comes to games like this.~ , .,, . ., this. when it comes to selection, little is a difficult _ this. when it comes to selection, little is a difficult conundrum - little is a difficult conundrum because _ little is a difficult conundrum because we have players we know have played _ because we have players we know have played well _ because we have players we know have played well. there's got to be some level of— played well. there's got to be some level of scrutiny on how people are playing _ level of scrutiny on how people are playing with their clubs because that has— playing with their clubs because that has to be effective within it and then, — that has to be effective within it and then, not so much for this week, but who— and then, not so much for this week, but who was— and then, not so much for this week, but who was the opponent? was best suited _ but who was the opponent? was best suited to _ but who was the opponent? was best suited to play against the opponent? is a complicated thing and i know everyone — is a complicated thing and i know everyone has a view on who we should and should _ everyone has a view on who we should and should not be picking. in the end, _ and should not be picking. in the end. we — and should not be picking. in the end, we view the best players possible — end, we view the best players possible playing at their best level to give _ possible playing at their best level to give us — possible playing at their best level to give us the best chance of winning _ to give us the best chance of winnina. ~ . . to give us the best chance of winnin. . ., ., , . ., winning. what are the selection issues facing — winning. what are the selection issues facing gareth _ winning. what are the selection| issues facing gareth southgate? winning. what are the selection - issues facing gareth southgate? one of the big ones is what to do with manchester united harry mcguire and for his club, he has never let them down. he was in the euro 2020 team in gareth southgate city still one of the best centre backs we have in

this country. he has brought in a few younger players in that position to have a look at potential options for players were playing for qatar and do not forget it happens this friday. alex howell there. scotland, northern ireland and wales are in action later too. and it's a big night for this man. goalkeeper wayne hennessy — on the left here, is set to win his 100th cap for wales — who take on the czech republic. wales are one game away from sealing a spot in the world cup, after beating austria last week. gareth bale is expected to be rested. they're due to take on scotland or ukraine in their playoff final, after that match is re—arranged. scotland are in austria this evening — they have striker lyndon dykes back fit for them. he's scored in his last four consecutive games for steve clarke's side. and northern ireland are in belfast, they face hungary. you can keep up to date, with all the evening's games — on the bbc sport website. it is touch and go for england women's football captain steph houghton to be fit for this summer's european championship.

england boss sarina weigman says she will give houghton every opportunity to prove her fitness because of her importance to the side. weigman was speaking ahead of england's world cup qualifiers against northern ireland and north macedonia next month. their euros campaign begins on home soil onjuly the 6th. the history she has in the contribution she had over the years, i would like to give her a bit more time, but she needs to be fit and playing well and she's been out for a long time and in september, she came in and entered for the first time since i was there. and she played well but then she had to step out again and so, which is to see how it goes. this week the women's champions league resumes — with the second legs of the quarter—finals. arsenal play on thursday against wolfsburg, where it's finely poised at 1—all. but in less then 2k hours, we're expecting attendance records to be broken — in the women's el classico match, with barcelona hosting real madrid, at the camp nou. let's head to barcelona, and join maz farooki

who is there for us. maz, what sort of crowds are we expecting tomorrow. crowds of over the 80,000 gathering. when they put these tickets up for sale back injanuary, 85,000 injust three days. and it shouldst match the current record of attendance that also involves barcelona when they played their rivals madrid a couple years ago in front of 60,000 people. to give you another comparison when they play germany to sceptre the world cup back in 2019, just short of 78,000 people watch that game. big numbers here tomorrow. and it proves that there is that interest there to select iconic venues like the cap now. and barcelona has been in the last few seasons in european champions and they won last season and the

childhood barcelona fan, she recognises that this is a big moment for this game. i recognises that this is a big moment for this game-— for this game. i believe it's the right time _ for this game. i believe it's the right time to — for this game. i believe it's the right time to play _ for this game. i believe it's the right time to play in _ for this game. i believe it's the right time to play in the - for this game. i believe it's the right time to play in the camp. for this game. i believe it's the - right time to play in the camp now. i remember— right time to play in the camp now. i rememberwhen you kept right time to play in the camp now. i remember when you kept asking what are you _ i remember when you kept asking what are you going to play in the camp that the — are you going to play in the camp that the end of the day, spar the process— that the end of the day, spar the process and i believe the time is come _ process and i believe the time is come and — process and i believe the time is come and it's the right time to do so. come and it's the right time to do so we _ come and it's the right time to do so we the — come and it's the right time to do so. we the players feel empowered and ready— so. we the players feel empowered and ready to play in front of so many — and ready to play in front of so many people. such a large audience of the _ many people. such a large audience of the objective is the same, winning _ of the objective is the same, winning. it of the ob'ective is the same, winnina. . , . of the ob'ective is the same, winnin. _ ., , ., ., of the ob'ective is the same, winnin.. ., , ., ., ., ., winning. it was a great game of the first leu , winning. it was a great game of the first leg. who _ winning. it was a great game of the first leg, who has _ winning. it was a great game of the first leg, who has the upper- winning. it was a great game of the first leg, who has the upper hand? | first leg, who has the upper hand? they really improved in recent seasons — they really improved in recent seasons and traditionally the biggest — seasons and traditionally the biggest domestic rivals have been atletico _ biggest domestic rivals have been atletico madrid. and it shows a much they have _ atletico madrid. and it shows a much they have improved in the last few seasons _ they have improved in the last few seasons and it's all about the third

time in _ seasons and it's all about the third time in over— seasons and it's all about the third time in overtwo seasons and it's all about the third time in over two weeks that these two sets— time in over two weeks that these two sets of— time in over two weeks that these two sets of played each other. and this team — two sets of played each other. and this team and its potential weaknesses like anyone else. but barcelona's team doesn't have that many— barcelona's team doesn't have that many weaknesses. the domestically title defending the trophy and defending every game so far in the league _ defending every game so far in the league of— defending every game so far in the league of the season. they're so impressive. they played and attacked philosophy. and that's something we have not— philosophy. and that's something we have not really seen since the last 18 months— have not really seen since the last 18 months or so when things have really— 18 months or so when things have really clicked for barcelona's team. i think— really clicked for barcelona's team. i think barcelona will be the team that gets — i think barcelona will be the team that gets it. a coroner has concluded that the former f1 boss max mosley shot himself after learning that his cancer was terminal. he died in his london home in may last year and had been in debilitating pain. westminster coroner's court heard

that he shared his plans, had a final meal with his wife and wrote a suicide note. senior coroner dr fiona wilcox said she was "satisfied" mr mosley intended to kill himself and recorded that the cancer was a contributing factor to the death of "a remarkable man". let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making headlines today. british interest in the miami open has ended after cameron norrie lost in straight sets to norway's casper ruud in the fourth round. that means his hopes of making the world's top ten hang in the balance and leaves him needing other results to go his way. oleksandr usyk s promoter has confirmed the ukrainian fighter is in discussions for a rematch with anthonyjoshua set to take place in saudi arabia in latejune. joshua was beaten by usyk last year to be crowned unified heavyweight champion. the ukrainian has spent the past few weeks helping to defend his home country. joe root has posted on his social media that he's looking forward to taking a break. but still has faith in his england players. he's under pressure after england's

test series defeat to west indies, with his side having won just once in seventeen test matches. as far as new sports come along, could this be the next thing to captivate fans of racing? it's a new e—scooter series. where men and women race side by side, on two wheeled machines, that can reach speeds of around 60 miles an hour. six events are planned around europe — starting on a street circuit in london next month. so who's involved, and why should we care? well the former champion speed skater elise christie is competing. she told me earlier it's harder than it looks — and that the experience can help her back on the ice again. i was thinking it would be so easy. it will be like getting on a go cart and go on and have a laugh but it's very difficult machines and they are very difficult machines and they are very fast and they go hundred kilometres an hour there was a challenge to learn to use a throttle and normal and myself and it's a very different experience.-

very different experience. using our bod very different experience. using your body effectively _ very different experience. using your body effectively and - very different experience. using your body effectively and also i very different experience. using your body effectively and also a| your body effectively and also a motorsport too. it's a good hybrid, really. what else is involved in the sport? really. what else is involved in the sort? , ., , ., really. what else is involved in the sort? , ., , sport? there is a list of people who've been — sport? there is a list of people who've been draughted - sport? there is a list of people who've been draughted into i sport? there is a list of people | who've been draughted into ten sport? there is a list of people - who've been draughted into ten teams and these teams will have many writers they cannot name everyone but people from superbikes who took to it very easily. there's some people from bmx, i think we even have a field hockey player involved. over the spring to the spectrum of what is already out there? hopefully it will bring. — what is already out there? hopefully it will bring, and _ what is already out there? hopefully it will bring, and mixed _ what is already out there? hopefully it will bring, and mixed crowd - what is already out there? hopefully it will bring, and mixed crowd wherej it will bring, and mixed crowd where people take off but, i also hope that gets kids out. nowadays, kids

are broadcasting this and get the scooter spread out and go carts from the uk and all around europe and all around the world and kids are going down and they're having fun without harming the environment but also learning to be on a scooter and enjoying that it is a different experience altogether. so, then they got so much development for the future. �* ., , .,' i. future. and to finish off, you mentioned — future. and to finish off, you mentioned recently - future. and to finish off, you mentioned recently that - future. and to finish off, you mentioned recently that you | future. and to finish off, you - mentioned recently that you would be potentially involved in the winter games if you could get yourself back in the space to do that, what was it that prompted you to think like that after the back end of last year. i did not falsely done the sport or not and i watch the olympics and watching people raise the 500 and winning battles, also excited watching it again. i winning battles, also excited watching it again.— winning battles, also excited watching it again. i would love to be back to _ watching it again. i would love to be back to the _ watching it again. i would love to be back to the best _ watching it again. i would love to be back to the best in _ watching it again. i would love to be back to the best in the - watching it again. i would love to be back to the best in the world | watching it again. i would love to l be back to the best in the world at

it again and i would only go back if i thought i could do that and unfortunately, that will not happen with me personally in this country. the system doesn't suit me and work for me that's too much of a controlled environment i have not been on the ice in a long time. i am stepped into the ice rink for a long time and it's been nice having them help me through all of that transition, really.— help me through all of that transition, really. think you very much and _ transition, really. think you very much and thank _ transition, really. think you very much and thank you _ transition, really. think you very much and thank you for- transition, really. think you very much and thank you for sharing | transition, really. think you very . much and thank you for sharing that with us as well. finally — many of us are familiar with the sport of diving. but what about taking it to the next level? well, let me me introduce high diving — which is at least double the height of an olympic 10—metre platform... 23—year—old molly carlson is hoping to have it on the olympic agenda soon.

she's been showcasing her talent to millions on social media. if you don't like heights — could be best to look away for the next couple of minutes! iama i am a permanent diverfor i am a permanent diver for the 2022 world series this year. so, basically myjob is to jump off a crazy heights and i get to have fun doing it. we are going at speeds above 60 mph when we're hitting the water and so, making sure we have this is number one. safety is number one, for sure. and if you're not scared of there, i think it becomes too dangerous. the walkway to the 20 metre and people were freaking out. i think my first video that i showed of how to get up there, i don't even have tojump off of how to get up there, i don't even have to jump off anywhere. you would just want to see that scary bridge walk to the edge of a 20 metre platform and the like, your 60 million views. and i'm like, what? i

got up to the 20 metres thousand one, two, three, go. and as soon as ijump off the platform, the anxiety went away and all that fear went away and you are in the air and time freezes. and this is so amazing. i've thousand the air for an hour because justin compared i've thousand the air for an hour becausejustin compared to the time you're on the platform. my dream, i think we'd take all the boxes of being olympic level athletes. we are already more championships and we're working towards the olympics and we might be a demo and 2024, so hopefully that happens. but yes, my dreams to be a pioneer in this new generation and be a part of the first group that goes the olympics. when you look at it like that, fairplay to molly colson. that is it for us and get all the build—up to

the football north macedonia and portugal in the world cup player finals that's for the beauty sport finals that's for the beauty sport final and all those involved. we will see you soon. it's its pre—bid corridor but it will feel colder of the next few days. the really cold there currently is on the front of the skull and as we develop this northerly wind, we bring down this cold arctic air and that will lead to some sleet and snow and it shouldn't be too much of that. we already have some snow falling during the far north of scotland and this is a sign of what is to come. the colder air comes behind his band of cloud here for you mostly rain and there some sleet and snow over the hills members were from scotland in the northern parts of england and northern ireland and we get snow and ice north in scotland and frosty

conditions as well. not his court elsewhere, could be dismissed in five patches forming with the cloud breaks across england and wales and i will be slow to live. some sunshine in the southwest and maybe some showers. the main band of cloud and some sleet and snow in peaks and pay nines and following that we have some sunshine but also some winter showers even into the northeast of england. temperatures will be about 5 degrees in afternoon and not much better than that in birmingham and norwich. modern air in the far south of england. that winter weather will continue to push its way southwards and then as we get in colder air behind that, we'll turn the sleet and snow in southern parts of england leave the light covering here and there perhaps. we will start off with some widespread frosty some icy patches in sleet and snow to clear the southeast corner of thursday the some sunshine in winter showers hill sleet and sleet and snow and many for northern parts of the uk but below there by a stronger wind coming off the north

and northeast. these are the temperatures were looking at not so bad in the west but eastern areas around six or 7 degrees with some stronger winds here, it will feel quite colder than that. it's probably more of a short sharp shock because the weather will start to calm down a little bit on friday as pressure the number of showers and the winds probably won't be as strong as well. but we start off widely frosty with some icy patches too and some sunshine but if you winter showers but not as many on friday but cloud over there in ireland where we'll get some rain comes from sleet and some snow of the hills in temperatures eight or 9 degrees and it will be quite as chilly this weekend.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. turkey's president hails "signficant progress" at face—to—face talks between russia and ukraine. following the talks in istanbul, moscow says it will "drastically reduce combat operations" around kyiv and the city of chernihiv. but it will be judged by its actions. there is what russia says, and there is what russia does. we are focused on the latter. and what russia is doing is the continued brutalisation of ukraine. but on the front lines near kyiv, ukrainian forces are not dropping their guard and are confident of victory. together we are stronger and we will win.