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50 arrests after Dutch match

Basel police arrested 50 fans after Netherlands' unexpected 3-1 defeat by Russia in their Euro 2008 quarter-final.

Originally Posted by eurosport.yahoo.com

Police spokesman Klaus Mannhart said most of the arrests were made following scuffles between the two sets of fans, as well as among the Dutch themselves.

Fifteen of those arrested were Swiss locals.

"A lot of alcohol was consumed and things got pretty hectic after the match as a combination of the result, the drinking and the warm weather," Mannhart said.

"There were small fights breaking out all over the town but we had no serious injuries."

Up to 180,000 supporters were estimated to have followed the match in Basel, a number roughly equal to the city's population.

The city centre had been packed out several hours before the game with Netherlands' orange-clad army of boisterous fans far outnumbering the Russian visitors.

"There were clearly some unpleasant incidents but when you look at the number of fans and the amount they had drunk, then I think the authorities passed what was definitely our biggest test," Basel tournament coordinator Hanspeter Weisshaupt said.

Officials estimated that up to 500,000 litres of beer had been consumed, not including any which supporters had brought with them.

Some 40 tonnes of rubbish had to be cleared from the city's streets.

Weisshaupt said that around 100,000 people were expected for Wednesday's semi-final between Germany and Turkey.

"We are of course aware of some of the tensions between Turkish and German supporters, but we are looking forward to another friendly encounter," he added.

"There is a large Turkish community in Basel who are very well integrated. Together with the large number of fans travelling from neighbouring Germany, it is another dream draw for us."

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Too much drinking and you lose your mind.

Anyway i don't think that was something bad.

Good job police.