Russian and Polish football fans were involved in violent street fights ahead of last night's Euro 2012 meeting between the two national sides in Warsaw.
Police fired rubber bullets and used water cannon on the hooligans who fought running battles in the streets of the Polish capital.
The trouble flared during a march by 5,000 Russian fans observing a national day that marks the end of the Soviet Union.
Punches, bottles and missiles were thrown despite the attentions of 6,000 officers. The Poles are said to have used a bridge to ambush their rivals.
‘It was just a free for all and a disgrace,’ said one eyewitness. ‘Innocent people were running and screaming just to get away from these men who behaved like animals.
'They were kicking out at each other, in the face and the body as they lay on the ground.’
In a separate incident, around 50 Polish fans wearing masks attacked Russian rivals in a Warsaw cafe.
Tensions were already running high with home fans having mocked the Russians over a Polish army victory in 1920. The two countries are uneasy neighbours with Russia having occupied Poland for more than a century and dominating the country after the Second World War.
The Russia Day marchers were waving Soviet flags – a provocative symbol to many Poles.
Football governing body Uefa has already begun disciplinary proceedings against Russian fans caught on film kicking and punching stewards near a walkway at the Wroclaw stadium after their side beat the Czech Republic 4-1.
The two countries share a difficult history, including decades of control by Moscow over Poland during the Cold War. Many Poles felt the Polish authorities should not have allowed the Russians to march as a group in Warsaw given the historical wounds.
Police fired rubber bullets and used water cannon on the hooligans who fought running battles in the streets of the Polish capital.
The trouble flared during a march by 5,000 Russian fans observing a national day that marks the end of the Soviet Union.
Punches, bottles and missiles were thrown despite the attentions of 6,000 officers. The Poles are said to have used a bridge to ambush their rivals.
‘It was just a free for all and a disgrace,’ said one eyewitness. ‘Innocent people were running and screaming just to get away from these men who behaved like animals.
'They were kicking out at each other, in the face and the body as they lay on the ground.’
In a separate incident, around 50 Polish fans wearing masks attacked Russian rivals in a Warsaw cafe.
Tensions were already running high with home fans having mocked the Russians over a Polish army victory in 1920. The two countries are uneasy neighbours with Russia having occupied Poland for more than a century and dominating the country after the Second World War.
The Russia Day marchers were waving Soviet flags – a provocative symbol to many Poles.
Football governing body Uefa has already begun disciplinary proceedings against Russian fans caught on film kicking and punching stewards near a walkway at the Wroclaw stadium after their side beat the Czech Republic 4-1.
The two countries share a difficult history, including decades of control by Moscow over Poland during the Cold War. Many Poles felt the Polish authorities should not have allowed the Russians to march as a group in Warsaw given the historical wounds.
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Hello readers we are bringing you the live streaming video and live update of the Champions League Final of 2012 and it will begin after some hours from now. Bayern Munich will face Chelsea on 19th May, 2012 at 12:30 NST or 12:15 IST, 19:45 BST at Allianz Arena Ground that is also a home ground ofBayern Munich. If you are can’t reach the stadium, you can watch live match in your Television sets either on Sky Sports HD1 and on ESPN and on Soccer HD1 TV channels and also listen live on BBC Radio 5. If you aren’t at home you can watch the live streaming Video of Champions League Final betweenBayern Munich and Chelsea in your PC or Cell phone as we will provide youLive Stream Links of Bayern Munchen vs Chelsea Match Here , will be available 15 minutes before the Kickoff time so be with us to get the live streaming link.
Probable Line ups:
Chelsea: Peter Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien, Bosingwa, Frank Lampard, John MikelObi, Gary Cahill, Malouda, Salomon Kalou, Juan eyes, Didier Drogba.
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm, Rafinha, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Mario Gomez..
Hello readers we are bringing you the live streaming video and live update of the Champions League Final of 2012 and it will begin after some hours from now. Bayern Munich will face Chelsea on 19th May, 2012 at 12:30 NST or 12:15 IST, 19:45 BST at Allianz Arena Ground that is also a home ground ofBayern Munich. If you are can’t reach the stadium, you can watch live match in your Television sets either on Sky Sports HD1 and on ESPN and on Soccer HD1 TV channels and also listen live on BBC Radio 5. If you aren’t at home you can watch the live streaming Video of Champions League Final betweenBayern Munich and Chelsea in your PC or Cell phone as we will provide youLive Stream Links of Bayern Munchen vs Chelsea Match Here , will be available 15 minutes before the Kickoff time so be with us to get the live streaming link.
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| See Here to know how these two team reach the Final of UEFA Champions League |
Chelsea: Peter Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien, Bosingwa, Frank Lampard, John MikelObi, Gary Cahill, Malouda, Salomon Kalou, Juan eyes, Didier Drogba.
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm, Rafinha, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Mario Gomez..
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| FC Bayern München | 19/05/2012 13:45 CDT | Chelsea FC |