Police prepared for tense encounter between Germany and Poland
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-14 13:56 So far, seeming tranquility that has conquered World Cup-hosting cities has
dissipated much of the fear over widespread hooliganism at soccer's biggest
event and surprised police forces which had braced for the worst.
Authorities have reported little trouble, surprisingly low arrest numbers and
sometimes bewildering descriptions of their cities as oases of calm.
"On a normal Sunday there might have been more for the police to do," said
Nuremberg police spokesman Michael Gaengler after his city's first match,
between Mexico and Iran. "Things are much better than we expected."
The story has repeated itself across the country, where there are tens of
thousands of security forces involved in keeping the peace.
Polish police provided German officials before the tournament with a list of
500 hooligans banned from entering stadiums in Poland. Recent incidents have
occurred in Katowice, Krakow and Warsaw
Last week, German police stepped up checks on the Polish border. A group of
68 Polish officers also have been lending a hand, traveling to Germany to help
their German counterparts identify troublemakers from Poland.
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