FRANKFURT, Germany _ The off-the-field calm of the World Cup's opening
day extended into Saturday, thanks to intensive security and a party mood after
England's first win.
English police believe they've corralled the main potential troublemakers by
ordering more than 3,500 known soccer hooligans to fork over their passports.
But with up to 65,000 English watching their team beat Paraguay 1-0 _ one of
three games in different cities on the tournament's second day _ security was
heavy.
Frankfurt police were ready wherever fans congregated, some wearing helmets
and bulletproof vests also toted video cameras.
They had little to do; there were no reports of post-game scuffles or
arrests.
Flocks of exuberant English supporters prepared for the game by heading to
bars in the morning. By the final whistle, victory and the afternoon heat
persuaded many who watched the game on a giant, floating screen to plunge into
the River Main, which bisects this financial capital.
Police estimated there were 65,000 English fans in town _ 40,000 at the
stadium and 25,000 around the city center.
"A party mood reigns," said Volker Bouffier, the region's top security
official.
It was a contrast to Friday night, when 20 people were arrested, mostly for
alcohol-related offenses.
"There was a fairly tense atmosphere at times," said Stephen Thomas, an
assistant chief constable from Manchester and part of the British contingent
working with German police. He credited local police with knowing how to handle
the crowds.
One Englishman believes his country's fans have changed since violent
eruptions such as at the last World Cup held in Europe, the 1998 tournament in
France.
"The people here, I think, have realized that England's fans are not what
they have been portrayed to be," said Luke Walters, who watched the game with
friends at a Frankfurt restaurant.
