hello, i'm 0lly foster. here's what's coming up on sportsday. after the sydney celebrations, now all focus is on the final. we'll have the latest from the lionesses. two days after he was cleared to play, the england captain 0wen farrell could still miss the start of the rugby world cup. eilish mccolgan is definiutely out of the world athletics championships, but that's not the only problem for the british team. also coming up on sportsday — making a splash in paris — beth potter comes out on top in the olympic triathlon test event. yeah, i actually got there in the warm up i think because i was so prepared for it. i was running up the chanson lisee, and it wasjust unreal. evening. it's under three days to go to the women's world cup final. england have had a well—earned day off after yesterday's win over australia. the co—hosts have to pick themselves up for the third—fourth play—off game on saturday against sweden, but for the lionesses, all theirfocus is now on spain. jane dougall reports from sydney. england's success has swelled. they'd had a wobbly start to their tournament, but like a patient surfer, they knew when to peak. the lionesses�* 3—1 victory over the hosts wiped out australia's dreams of a world cup final. australia's loss was, of course, england's gain, and fans across the uk went wild as the lionesses booked their spot in the world cup final. the aussie news stations reluctantly acknowledged england's victory. for them, it was about the journey of their women's team. each of every one of you, the matildas, should hold your head high. thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you've done. 75,000 fans were in the stadium, but the lionesses silenced the aussie roar. walking about a team that's unified, that together, — walking about a team that's unified, that together, that's _ walking about a team that's unified, that together, that's got _ walking about a team that's unified, that together, that's got high - that together, that's got high quality— that together, that's got high quality and _ that together, that's got high quality and talent. _ that together, that's got high quality and talent. they - that together, that's got high i quality and talent. they always respond. — quality and talent. they always respond. they— quality and talent. they always respond, they always - quality and talent. they always respond, they always react. ifl quality and talent. they always i respond, they always react. if you look at _ respond, they always react. if you took at that — respond, they always react. if you look at that england's _ respond, they always react. if you look at that england's women's i respond, they always react. if you - look at that england's women's team, how they— look at that england's women's team, how they respond _ look at that england's women's team, how they respond to _ look at that england's women's team, how they respond to challenges - look at that england's women's team, how they respond to challenges in - how they respond to challenges in games _ how they respond to challenges in games they— how they respond to challenges in games they are _ how they respond to challenges in games they are a _ how they respond to challenges in games. they are a beacon - how they respond to challenges in games. they are a beacon of - how they respond to challenges in games. they are a beacon of lighti games. they are a beacon of light and what — games. they are a beacon of light and what you _ games. they are a beacon of light and what you should _ games. they are a beacon of light and what you should follow - games. they are a beacon of light and what you should follow and l games. they are a beacon of light . and what you should follow and how it rote _ and what you should follow and how it rote modets— and what you should follow and how it role models should _ and what you should follow and how it role models should perform. - journalists from both countries were impressed. england knew it was going to be a cauldron and there would be against a wave of noise, and they knew their game plan was to possess the ball and stifle that by quieting the crowd. there were little snapshots that we look back on today and go, damn, but i don't say this lightly and an australian one never say this lightly, good on england, you deserved it. what a pass that is, it's russo! as england's third goal went in, attention turned to sunday's match. ever since i was younger, i've dreamed about a world cup and you dream about winning it and to have the chance to do that this weekend is what we have all worked hard for. spain is the final challenge with this tournament, so will england's name be on that trophy? there's almost an absolue inevitability about it because the resilience the team has within. so will australia get behind england now? i wouldn't say all of australia, because it's england, - and if there is one thing that- australia loves as much as australia winning is england failing. england are riding the wave of their success, and with so many favourites out, this could be their best chance to win a world cup. jane dougall, bbc news, sydney. should england win on sunday, then of course that would make them european and world champions. that would stengthen their hand in discussions with the fa about bonuses. the fa chief executive mark bullingham told us today that that will be resolved after the tournament. the lionesses�* success on the pitch is clearly being matched by engagement in the women's game. since their triumph at the euros last summer, there's been a 140% increase in participation among girls under 16. that's the highest year—on—yearfigure recorded. there's a 53% increase in females aged 16 and over getting involved, and that equates to 2.3 million more women and girls playing football compared to the season before. on top of that, attendance at women's super league games went up by i72%. the average crowd per game—week almost tripled, access to bigger stadiums helping with that. 0ur sports editor dan roan has been speaking to the fa women's technical director kay cossington about what's been a remarkable year for the lionesses after winning the euros last summer. i thought last summer was the emotional part, but this is even more so. i think it's an incredibly proud moment, knowing these players since they eight, nine, ten and watching them grow and evolve. it's really proud moment, and i'm honoured to be a part of that, the incredible individuals driving this game forward on and off the pitch. it's a really proud moment. last year was a huge boost for women's football in terms of profile and participation. how much more of a boost could it be if england could go all the way? we saw from last summer that the growth has been astronomical, faster and bigger than we could ever have imagined. there's still work to do. i think we all know that and recognise that. we still want to push. we want to ensure that we keep investing in our talent systems and our pathways. we want to ensure that we keep growing and supporting our club infrastructure at every level. we want to ensure and keep pushing equal access in schools, as we have done post—last summer. we want to give every young girl the opportunity to play the game, but also give every young, talented girl the opportunity to fulfil dreams and ambitions. we still know we have got a lot to do, we're still focused. we have a great plan and strategy in place. we will keep following that and trusting that. can you do identify a moment when things changed strategically that led to this point? the build of st george's park was a fundamental moment. it is a wonderful base for england teams, men and women of every age group that comes together, shares and learns. it is one team england, and we do share and learn from each other. it's a wonderful facility to develop and support young players, but also to prepare our top athletes for major tournaments. i think that was a pinnacle for us. we had greater investment in the game, we have a greater workforce in the game, and we're really thankful that we can fulfil our ambition through everything at st george's park. lots of european football this evening. two scottish sides are in the third round of europa conference league qualifying. hibernian are 3—1 up against luzern after last week's first leg at easter road. come through the second leg in switzerland, and they will face aston villa in the play—off round. it's obviously a big game. the lads know that. there is a thrust mentally towards that big game. and, yeah, they know it's a stretch, so it's a different factor going into it. and i suppose you could say it's the fear factor, but actually that creates the sharpness sometimes because you expect the quality of deposition to be able to capitalise if you are not on it. hearts have a tougher task. they are home for the second leg of their tie against rosenburg, but are 2—1 down against the norwegians. the tie is alive, to— one. 90 minutes— the tie is alive, to— one. 90 minutes for— the tie is alive, to— one. 90 minutes for the boys. you know, in european _ minutes for the boys. you know, in european ties you have to prepare to maybe _ european ties you have to prepare to maybe go— european ties you have to prepare to maybe go the full and extra time as well and _ maybe go the full and extra time as well and even penalty kicks. we are prepared _ well and even penalty kicks. we are prepared as — well and even penalty kicks. we are prepared as best we can and are hoping that we are good enough to go and win— hoping that we are good enough to go and win the _ hoping that we are good enough to go and win the game here and in front ofa and win the game here and in front of a fantastic crowd but it will be a tough — of a fantastic crowd but it will be a tough game. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making the headlines today. the usa head coach vlatko andonovski has resigned after their worst showing at the women's world cup. the reigning champions were knocked out by sweden in the round of 16. crystal palace winger michael 0lise has signed a new four—year deal at the club. chelsea had put in a bid for him earlier this week, but the 21—year—old has decided to stay at selhurst park. luton town have signed goalkeeper tim krul. the 35—year—old dutchman joins from norwich city and will compete for the number—one jersey with another new signing, thomas kaminski. now this is quite complex. 0wen farrell could still miss the start of the rugby world cup. if you remember, he had a yellow card for a dangerous high tackle upgraded to red under a new protocol after last weekend's win over wales. a disciplinary panel then rescinded that, but world rugby has appealed against that decision. they feel farrell should be suspended. luke griggs is ceo of the the brain injury charity headway and has criticised the process. i think it's been a huge embarrassment to the world rugby, and i think the way this has been handled, this is a problem with our own making. itjust adds to the confusion about what is safe and is not safe. 0n the community level is much as anything else and that's always where our major concern is because community support follows what they see on the big screen sent by elite level support. this is a very sorry state of affairs. for more on this, i spoke to the bbc�*s rugby union reporter sara 0rchard. it really is messy, particularly when — it really is messy, particularly when looking back a few months when world rugby announced with some fanfare _ world rugby announced with some fanfare the bunker of a new system is itself _ fanfare the bunker of a new system is itself also it was brought into games— is itself also it was brought into games and designed to help the officiat— games and designed to help the official speed things up and make tletter— official speed things up and make better decisions and for those who have not— better decisions and for those who have not seen it, when there is had contact _ have not seen it, when there is had contact or— have not seen it, when there is had contact or a — have not seen it, when there is had contact or a foul play that needs to be walked — contact or a foul play that needs to be walked back many times, the player— be walked back many times, the player is— be walked back many times, the player is initially sent off with a yellow — player is initially sent off with a yellow card and then additional television match official or the bunker— television match official or the bunker referee who has eight minutes to watch— bunker referee who has eight minutes to watch the footage back you decide if they— to watch the footage back you decide if they should upgrade to a read. that is— if they should upgrade to a read. that is what happened with owen farrett— that is what happened with owen farrell after he made contact with the head — farrell after he made contact with the head of another player. automatically it triggers a disciplinary hearing when you get that red — disciplinary hearing when you get that red card, and that's when many were _ that red card, and that's when many were expecting him to get a lengthy ban. were expecting him to get a lengthy ban that _ were expecting him to get a lengthy ban. that is due to his previous record — ban. that is due to his previous record but— ban. that is due to his previous record but however a 3—person panel put together by the summer series, the organisers of the six nations, cteared _ the organisers of the six nations, cleared him. it does appear to be very confusing. the argument used to clear him _ very confusing. the argument used to clear him was the actions of england hooker— clear him was the actions of england hookerjamie george in the tackle cost the _ hookerjamie george in the tackle cost the player to change direction. today— cost the player to change direction. today they — cost the player to change direction. today they have announced they will appeal— today they have announced they will appeal the decision to overturn the red card _ appeal the decision to overturn the red card in— appeal the decision to overturn the red card in a — appeal the decision to overturn the red card in a statement they said they fully— red card in a statement they said they fully import —— support the important — they fully import —— support the important role of the process plays in upholding the integrity and the values _ in upholding the integrity and the values of— in upholding the integrity and the values of the sport particularly regarding foul play and had contact. of course _ regarding foul play and had contact. of course they went on to say that player _ of course they went on to say that player welfare is the sport's number one priority, hence why you were hearing _ one priority, hence why you were hearing from a lot of charities in the moment including headway about why this _ the moment including headway about why this is _ the moment including headway about why this is so important. we have heard _ why this is so important. we have heard very— why this is so important. we have heard very recently that the hearing is going _ heard very recently that the hearing is going to — heard very recently that the hearing is going to be early next week but we don't — is going to be early next week but we don't have exact details of that yet. we don't have exact details of that yet but _ we don't have exact details of that yet. but you can see with the world cup so _ yet. but you can see with the world cup so close — yet. but you can see with the world cup so close wife world rugby will walk this — cup so close wife world rugby will walk this in some way to be resolved _ walk this in some way to be resolved. so walk this in some way to be resolved-— walk this in some way to be resolved. . . ,, resolved. so owen farrell back in limbo, disrupting _ resolved. so owen farrell back in limbo, disrupting hugely - resolved. so owen farrell back in limbo, disrupting hugely for - limbo, disrupting hugely for england. they have another warm—up task coming this weekend. england. they have another warm-up task coming this weekend.— task coming this weekend. that's ri . ht. task coming this weekend. that's right- they _ task coming this weekend. that's right- they are — task coming this weekend. that's right. they are away _ task coming this weekend. that's right. they are away in _ task coming this weekend. that's right. they are away in dublin - task coming this weekend. that's i right. they are away in dublin right now, _ right. they are away in dublin right now. going — right. they are away in dublin right now, going to play ireland on saturday _ now, going to play ireland on saturday. george ford will start at fly saturday. george ford will start at fty hatf _ saturday. george ford will start at fly half with his club mate actually outside _ fly half with his club mate actually outside him. rather interesting actuatty, — outside him. rather interesting actually, england have revealed that 0wen _ actually, england have revealed that owen farrell was meant to start or be of— owen farrell was meant to start or be of att— owen farrell was meant to start or be of all this weekend but the code he decided been wake it's preparation time had already been curtaited _ preparation time had already been curtailed so much that he was not going _ curtailed so much that he was not going to _ curtailed so much that he was not going to be involved. he had to essentially pull him from the squad but however he did say that he has travelled _ but however he did say that he has travelled to be with the squad in dublin. — travelled to be with the squad in dublin, although he is going to attract — dublin, although he is going to attract so — dublin, although he is going to attract so much attention when that match _ attract so much attention when that match starts on saturday, it's going to be _ match starts on saturday, it's going to be a _ match starts on saturday, it's going to be a really fascinating and intense — to be a really fascinating and intense few days not just for england _ intense few days not just for england but for the whole sport. well, as sara was saying, england are playing ireland this weekend, and their head coach is 0wen farrell's father, andy. and he has really been angered by the situation. i don't know or normally say too much _ i don't know or normally say too much because _ i don't know or normally say too much because of— i don't know or normally say too much because of that _ i don't know or normally say too much because of that type - i don't know or normally say too much because of that type of. i don't know or normally say too - much because of that type of reason, but about _ much because of that type of reason, but about my — much because of that type of reason, but about my son, _ much because of that type of reason, but about my son, but _ much because of that type of reason, but about my son, but what - much because of that type of reason, but about my son, but what i- much because of that type of reason, but about my son, but what i would l but about my son, but what i would say probably— but about my son, but what i would say probably at _ but about my son, but what i would say probably at this _ but about my son, but what i would say probably at this point _ but about my son, but what i would say probably at this point in time i say probably at this point in time is the _ say probably at this point in time is the circus— say probably at this point in time is the circus that _ say probably at this point in time is the circus that has _ say probably at this point in time is the circus that has gone - say probably at this point in time i is the circus that has gone around all this— is the circus that has gone around all this is— is the circus that has gone around all this is disgusting. _ is the circus that has gone around all this is disgusting. in _ is the circus that has gone around all this is disgusting. in my- all this is disgusting. in my opinion, _ all this is disgusting. in my opinion, disgusting. - all this is disgusting. in my opinion, disgusting. and ii all this is disgusting. in my- opinion, disgusting. and i support the people — opinion, disgusting. and i support the people who _ opinion, disgusting. and i support the people who love _ opinion, disgusting. and i support the people who love their - opinion, disgusting. and i support the people who love their time . opinion, disgusting. and i support the people who love their time inl the people who love their time in the people who love their time in the sun— the people who love their time in the sun to — the people who love their time in the sun to get _ the people who love their time in the sun to get a _ the people who love their time in the sun to get a few— the people who love their time in the sun to get a few more - the people who love their time in| the sun to get a few more days to keep— the sun to get a few more days to keep going — the sun to get a few more days to keep going out _ the sun to get a few more days to keep going out and _ the sun to get a few more days to keep going out and doing - the welsh rugby union have their first female chief executive. abi tierney will take up the role by the end of the year after handing in her notice at the home office, where she is the director general for customer services. her appointment comes nearly seven months after steve phillips resigned amid allegations of a "toxic culture" at the organisation. the number one priority is actually to engage with colleagues, to engage with stakeholders across the welsh rugby union to understand their from perspective what the priorities should be, where the challenges are but importantly what the opportunities are. so asking that question, i have had an answer —— chance to do that and my first priority is to listen to be out there and be visible at meet people where they are at and hear about what they want and expect for me. the former england head coach eddiejones, who's now back in charge of the wallabies, has torn into the australian media because of their negativity. he described the press conference before their departure to the world cup in france as the worst he's ever taken part in. australia have lost their last four tests, butjones took exception to the line of questioning. i know what's wrong with australian rugby. part of you blokes are the problem, cos you're so negative about everything. you're so negative about everything. we'll go out there and do our best, boys. if you haven't got anything positive to say, don't ask. don't ask any questions, boys. just be the pessimists you are. keep australian rugby where it is. love this negativity, it's fantastic. love it, love it. keep going, keep going. you know we're terrible. just tell us we're terrible. we'll prove you wrong. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making the headlines today. novak djokovic has won his first singles match in the united states in two years. the 23—time grand slam champion had been unable to compete in the us because of covid protocols. he was set up against alejandro davidovich fokina when the spaniard retired with a back problem. uk anti—doping has appealed against a decision to lift conor benn's suspension from boxing. benn failed two voluntary tests for a female fertility drug before his cancelled 0ctober bout with fellow brit chris eubankjr. in the hundred, trent rockets women have the first win of the day, beating the manchester 0riginals by nine wickets with 36 balls to spare. 0pener lizelle lee top scored with 1m. they move up to fourth. british triathlete beth potter won the olympic test event in paris today. after the 1500—metre swim in the seine, 40—kilomtere cycle and io—kilometre run, she held off the challenge of the home favourite cassandra beaugrand to win by six seconds. i spoke to her about the race and that first section, with so much work done by organisers to make the seine safe to swim. there is always a risk with competing in a triathlon and swimming in open bodies of water, but yeah i think they have been pretty high on testing and every day. and i did not do anything yesterday, but we had in place today. still 0k yesterday, but we had in place today. still ok the moment so hopefully i will be fine. i today. still ok the moment so hopefully i will be fine.- hopefully i will be fine. i was aroin to hopefully i will be fine. i was going to say. _ hopefully i will be fine. i was going to say. if _ hopefully i will be fine. i was going to say, if you - hopefully i will be fine. i was going to say, if you weeks i hopefully i will be fine. i was l going to say, if you weeks ago hopefully i will be fine. i was - going to say, if you weeks ago you completed in summerlin and so many competitors went down with sickness after that one. i competitors went down with sickness after that one-— after that one. i actually did an individual _ after that one. i actually did an individual in _ after that one. i actually did an individual in sunderland, - after that one. i actually did an individual in sunderland, so . after that one. i actually did an individual in sunderland, so it| after that one. i actually did an i individual in sunderland, so it was a much shorter time in a different day so maybe i got i don't know. and day so maybe i got i don't know. and as for the race _ day so maybe i got i don't know. and as for the race as _ day so maybe i got i don't know. and as for the race as a whole, the bike and the run as well as the swim, is and the run as well as the swim, is a beautiful city and you pass through such iconic parts of it as well so it must be great to take in evenif well so it must be great to take in even if you are competing. i got well so it must be great to take in even if you are competing.- even if you are competing. i got a bit choked — even if you are competing. i got a bit choked op _ even if you are competing. i got a bit choked up in _ even if you are competing. i got a bit choked up in my _ even if you are competing. i got a - bit choked up in my warm-up because bit choked up in my warm—up because i ran by the champs—elysees and it was my second time here in paris and it running on the streets. and i was warming up at 5:30am this morning and said i cannot believe i'm here now, five years ago i would've given my back teeth to be doing this. so i just felt like really privileged to be in that position. you just felt like really privileged to be in that position.— just felt like really privileged to be in that position. you have had a terrific year — be in that position. you have had a terrific year but _ be in that position. you have had a terrific year but no _ be in that position. you have had a terrific year but no allies _ be in that position. you have had a terrific year but no allies or - be in that position. you have had a terrific year but no allies or on - terrific year but no allies or on spain, is that right, and next month is basically you and cassandra going head—to—head again for top of the rankings? head-to-head again for top of the rankinas? ., , head-to-head again for top of the rankinas? . , , head-to-head again for top of the rankinas? ., , , ., head-to-head again for top of the rankinas? . , , ., rankings? yeah, my number one goal this season — rankings? yeah, my number one goal this season was _ rankings? yeah, my number one goal this season was to _ rankings? yeah, my number one goal this season was to come _ rankings? yeah, my number one goal this season was to come and - rankings? yeah, my number one goal this season was to come and win - this season was to come and win in paris and i thought that was a huge asked. i was aiming to win and that surpassed expectations and i'm not going to dwell too much on that. i'm just going to go out and execute all the processes i need to do and i know if i do that, i will have a good race. iwould not know if i do that, i will have a good race. i would not think about the outcome but willjust look the outcome but will just look about taking it off and the jobs the outcome but will just look about taking it off and thejobs i on the way to get to the end. beth potter who won in paris today in her 0lympic test event. the world athletics championships starts on saturday in budapest. there'll be no eilish mccolgan for great britain. she'd been due to race in the 10,000 metres, but a long standing injury has ruled her out. ade adedoyin is there for us. disappointing but not a real surprise because she is not raised at all since april this year. frustrating i guess because she had been having a successful campaign last euro she won the 10,000 metres and the commonwealth games immolating the feet of her mother, who also won gold in 1986 and 1990. and she said in may that it would be a pipe dream to win gold here because she simply had not raised at all and eventually began light training. hope to return and autumn on the road and then begin preparing for paris next year.— for paris next year. staying with the british _ for paris next year. staying with the british team, _ for paris next year. staying with the british team, what - for paris next year. staying with the british team, what is - for paris next year. staying with the british team, what is going| for paris next year. staying with l the british team, what is going on with reese prescod was mica falling out there? brute with reese prescod was mica falling out there? ~ , ., ., with reese prescod was mica falling out there? ~ , . ., ., , out there? we understand that he has ruit the out there? we understand that he has quit the team — out there? we understand that he has quit the team and _ out there? we understand that he has quit the team and is _ out there? we understand that he has quit the team and is disappointing - quit the team and is disappointing because he was a huge part of the team. he won a bronze medal last year behind the us and canada but we understand he has not been attending the relay training camps and things flared up this week and a big decided to step away from that. what i do have is a big pool of athletes to choose from and have shown over the years it can be competitive over the years it can be competitive over the four by 100 m but disappointment that he will be part of that and where it leaves his future, we will wait to see. where it leaves his future, we will wait to see-— wait to see. lord coe is being resulted for _ wait to see. lord coe is being resulted for a _ wait to see. lord coe is being resulted for a final _ wait to see. lord coe is being resulted for a final term - wait to see. lord coe is being resulted for a final term as i wait to see. lord coe is being. resulted for a final term as the world athletics president and he is done so much over the last few years with the doping issues in the russian and belarusian bands because of the war in ukraine and transgender issues. what is he doing to look at this more in his final term? , , ., term? his focus over the next few ears is term? his focus over the next few years is to — term? his focus over the next few years is to future _ term? his focus over the next few years is to future proof _ term? his focus over the next few years is to future proof track - years is to future proof track and field to make it more innovative and i manic and appealing to younger audiences was of the other thing he said as he is not ruled out or ruled in the possibility of running for the ioc presidency in 2025. there is a growing belief that he could be the next ioc president but for him to do that he would have to step down if the world athletics president but he says as of now no decision has been made. the world at that escaping ships they are in budapest beginning on saturday. we will have our correspondent there with all the very latest. a busy weekend. the men's and women's european hockey championships start this weekend in germany. england are the strongest of the home nations taking part, and if either team win the tournament, that would secure see great britain direct entry to next year's olympics. europeans is one of the toughest tournaments out there. you kind of have six of the top ten teams in the world are there. so every game is a hard—fought one and outside of the top ten, you also have the home nations teams like scotland which for england is also never easy. so, yeah, every game is a battle. but when we play well, we played really well and it's really exciting and possibly the most excited i've been in a team over the past ten years in terms of when we play well. but equally we have games where we dump and within the game we have flashes of really good stuff in periods of not so good stuff soaked consistency i think is a thing we need to just really focus on. we can deliver it but it's just delivering it more of the time for 60 minutes. so european is the focus and if we don't win that we get to go back to team tp in september and focus on qualification in january. brute september and focus on qualification in janua . ~ ., ., , ., in january. we want to be deeded to net better in january. we want to be deeded to get better as — in january. we want to be deeded to get better as we _ in january. we want to be deeded to get better as we know _ in january. we want to be deeded to get better as we know we _ in january. we want to be deeded to get better as we know we have a - get better as we know we have a massive — get better as we know we have a massive challenge ahead of us as this is— massive challenge ahead of us as this is one — massive challenge ahead of us as this is one of the toughest ones you can win _ this is one of the toughest ones you can win the — this is one of the toughest ones you can win. the top four in the world are att— can win. the top four in the world are all from — can win. the top four in the world are all from europe so therefore the summer— are all from europe so therefore the summer is— are all from europe so therefore the summer is exciting and we know there is a big _ summer is exciting and we know there is a big care _ summer is exciting and we know there is a big care at the end of being able to— is a big care at the end of being able to qualify for paris. we have seen _ able to qualify for paris. we have seen from — able to qualify for paris. we have seen from the world cup with germany, _ seen from the world cup with germany, who really were perhaps not favourites _ germany, who really were perhaps not favourites to _ germany, who really were perhaps not favourites to win it, go into some incredible — favourites to win it, go into some incredible things and come back and the shoot—out which means we have a lot the shoot—out which means we have a tot to _ the shoot—out which means we have a tot to say _ the shoot—out which means we have a lot to say. the doctor played really well at _ lot to say. the doctor played really well at the — lot to say. the doctor played really well at the minute and spain have done _ well at the minute and spain have done wett— well at the minute and spain have done well as well and the thing in paris _ done well as well and the thing in paris is _ done well as well and the thing in paris is maybe it's always in the back— paris is maybe it's always in the back of— paris is maybe it's always in the back of our— paris is maybe it's always in the back of our minds, but the europeans is a massive _ back of our minds, but the europeans is a massive achievement to win in for a _ is a massive achievement to win in for a tot— is a massive achievement to win in for a tot of— is a massive achievement to win in for a tot of us— is a massive achievement to win in for a lot of us who have been around the programme for a long time now, watched _ the programme for a long time now, watched the girls when quite a number— watched the girls when quite a number of metals now and we have always been close and just missed out on _ always been close and just missed out on things. that would be special given— out on things. that would be special given the _ out on things. that would be special given the world rankings in terms of the men _ given the world rankings in terms of the men at — given the world rankings in terms of the men at the minute with the top for being _ the men at the minute with the top for being in— the men at the minute with the top for being in europe, that would mean a little _ for being in europe, that would mean a little bit _ for being in europe, that would mean a little bit more special as well. good luck to england and 12 and scotland who were also taking part. we will keep tabs on their progress from the weekend onwards. but do forgive us if we put most of our attention on that match at 11am sunday morning, england facing spain in the world cup final. that is our top story. three days to go until that final. looking up in sydney shortly, only two days to go there and of course all the build up to that historic game over the next few days, we will have that for you here and also across the bbc sport website. but for me and the rest of the team, that's all for now. hello there. the next 2a hours looks fairly unsettled with the risk of some really heavy, thundery rain in places and also strong winds. so quite a mixture of weather to come for friday. windy in places. it will feel quite warm and humid, and we'll have thundery showers spreading northwards. now, we've got two weather fronts associated with the low pressure system. this is the main weather front. ahead of it, we'll see a line of showers and storms spreading northwards. that's during friday. but through tonight, it should stay largely dry across much of the country, clear spells, more cloud through central and eastern areas. but we'll start to see those showers pushing to northern ireland, wales and south—west england, and some of them may turn out to be heavy and thundery in places. quite a warm and muggy night to come, particularly towards the south. then for friday, that line of showers, thunderstorms spreads northwards across northern ireland, wales, central, southern england, but starts to fizzle out as it moves northwards. it'll become very windy around irish sea coasts, especially northern and western wales, with gusts in excess perhaps of 60 mph. not a bad day to come across scotland. best of the sunshine in the west, high teens here. further south, because there's a bit more cloud around and some showers, top temperature around 22—23 degrees, but it will feel humid. and then through friday night, the action really gets going. this band of heavy and thundery rain spreads northwards across pretty much all areas. you can see the livid colours indicating embedded thunderstorms there, so localised flooding could be an issue in one or two locations. and a warm and humid night to come for many, particularly across england and wales. so into the weekend, that area of thundery rain will continue to journey northwards with fairly strong, gusty winds on it. moving northwards across scotland through saturday morning, becoming confined to the northern isles, and then the rest of the country has a fine day. sunny spells with scattered showers across northern and western areas, and it'll be more blustery here with temperatures in the low 20s. so feeling fresher, but still warm in the south—east, 25—26 degrees. similar story for part two of the weekend. most of the blustery showers will be in the north and the west of the country, where it'll feel a bit fresher. but again, across central, southern and eastern areas, closer to high pressure in the near continent, it'll stay sunnier, less windy. and we should see temperatures again around the mid—20s. now it could turn very warm or even locally hot across the south—east for a time monday and tuesday. plenty of sunshine here, but cooler and fresher with showers further north and west. with stars such as muhammad ali and madonna appearing on his talk show parkinson. that's it. i'll have our late news for you at 10:30 this evening. until then, you can tune in to bbc radio london or other bbc local radio station on the bbc news app. bye for now. live from london, this is bbc news. canada begins evacuating thousands of people from the north western city of yellowknife as a huge wildfire approaches. students in england, wales and northern ireland receive their end—of—year exam grades, as the proportion of top marks falls. hello, i'm nancy kacungira. welcome to the daily global, where we'll bring you the top stories from around the world. we begin in canada, where emergency workers have begun evacuating thousands of residents of an entire city in the north—west of the country, which is in the path of a huge wildfire. more than 20,000 people in yellowknife — the capital city of canada's northwest territories — have been told to leave by friday. the authorities said the wildfires had taken a turn for the worse and posed a "real threat". yellowknife is now blanketed in smoke. and fires are burning close to the one major road into and out of the city. shane thompson is the minister of environment and climate change for the northwest territories. he's involved in the emergency effort and joins me from fort simpson. thanks very much for coming onto the programme. just tell us how it's going with this