The Netherlands are due to play Poland at 2pm in Hamburg today and the build-up to the match has been marred by an incident which took place near to one of UEFA’s fan parks
A man who attacked police officers with an axe and was carrying an “incendiary device” has been shot dead near the Euro 2024 fan park in Hamburg.
The attacker was reportedly “severely injured” and taken away in an ambulance. Thousands of Dutch and Polish fans have gathered in the German city ahead of today’s 2pm Group D kick-off.
Police immediately closed off the city’s famous boulevard, the Reeperbahn, after the attack. The man reportedly attacked police officers with a golden pickaxe at around 12.30pm local time.
His colleagues first tried to disarm him with pepper spray and then fired several shots. The man then collapsed and the scene was quickly cleared of his supporters.
Hamburg police released the following statement on social media: “According to initial findings, an individual threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. Police then used their firearms.” The assailant was injured and is currently receiving treatment. ‘
In a subsequent post, police confirmed their belief that the assailant was a lone actor, noting that the area is still accessible. There are various security checks and it is well secured. We currently presume that the assailant acted alone.
Manuel Ostermann, from the German police union, responded to the attack on social media, saying: “Germany, you have a security problem. It is homemade by politics over the last few years. I want to thank my colleagues for their important work saving lives.
Sunday’s incident followed an incident in Dortmund yesterday, when around 100 Albanian ultras attacked Italian fans near a fast food restaurant in the city. Players were also targeted, but riot police with batons quickly intervened to combat the pre-match unrest.
“The Albanian and Italian fans had been singing all day without a problem and then suddenly they started singing. The riot police moved very swiftly and quickly had the thugs nailed to the wall.” Only weak alcohol is served at Schalke’s Veltins Arena but FA chief executive Mark Bullingham insists police are ready for any issues and hopes England fans can continue their recent good run.
“What I want to say is that England fans have given us really great support over the last few years, especially in the stadium. There will be a lot of people here,” Bullingham said.
“The best thing the fans can do to help us do well in this tournament is to show respect for their country. We want them to do that and remember we were fans in the 2006 tournament – they were fantastic then.”
The Netherlands and Poland meet today at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion in the first of three Euro 2024 group matches, which also includes England vs Serbia’s opener in Gelsenkirchen. Group C’s match between Slovenia and Denmark will also be held in Stuttgart.
The Netherlands and Poland have good supporters in Hamburg as they both share a border with Germany. The Netherlands are expected to feature captain Virgil van Dijk, his Liverpool teammate Cody Gakpo and former Manchester United striker Memphis Depay in their starting XI.
Poland are expected to be without talismanic No.9 Robert Lewandowski, who pulled a muscle in a friendly earlier this week. Coach Michal Probierc said the player would “probably” be fit to play against Austria next Friday, but the Netherlands also struggled with injury problems in the week leading up to the tournament.
Midfield duo Frenkie de Jong and Teun Coopemeiners have been ruled out for the entire tournament, while striker Brian Brobbey missed Holland’s final training session ahead of today’s match. France, one of the favourites to win the 2024 European Championships, is also in Group D and has the highest average FIFA World Ranking of the four teams in the group.