Police fired teargas and used dogs to break up renewed fighting between rival English and Turkish soccer fans hours before the UEFA Cup final yesterday, and at least five people were injured.
However, there were no immediate reports of trouble after the match - in which Turkish side Galatasaray beat Arsenal 4-1 in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. Earlier, mobs fought running battles in the streets, leaving one Briton, one Turk and a Dutchman suffering stab injuries. A second Briton was seriously injured after being attacked with an iron bar. Another man's ear was partially severed in the violence.
In Copenhagen, police spokesman Supt Flemming Munch said there had been nine injuries, of which two were serious. There had also been 33 arrests.
The city's Rigshospital confirmed that five people, including at least one Briton, were brought in for treatment. One was a Dutchman who had suffered stab wounds to his stomach.
Gangs of fans chanting "England, England" attacked Turkish supporters in the city's main square, hurling missiles and wielding sticks. Riot police formed a line between the warring groups as the situation threatened to boil over in Radhuspladsen Square, with scenes reminiscent of the violence which led to the fatal stabbings of two Leeds United fans in Istanbul before last month's UEFA Cup semi-final first leg.
Throughout Copenhagen's central area, large groups of fans massed outside pubs to taunt each other. A few minutes later a full-scale riot broke out and police were forced to use teargas to disperse the rival groups.