Hundreds of English soccer hooligans clashed with German police in Munich for about 15 minutes this afternoon ahead of a key world cup qualifying match between England and Germany.
Fans near the city's main train station broke an uneasy calm to hurl bottles and glasses at police vans, provoking a charge by police who had previously kept a low profile.
At least two from the mob which had taunted police with English football chants were arrested by police wearing riot gear and helmets.
City police said they were ready to quell any violence in the southern Bavarian capital after authorities arrested 40 mostly German fans overnight, mostly in Frankfurt.