Euro 2024 violence: Over 100 thugs attack rival fans in ugly scenes while shots are fired

Violent scenes erupted in both Dortmund and Berlin as Italy and Albania clashed at Euro 2024.

The game between the near neighbours from across the Adriatic Sea was always seen as a potentially combustible fixture by German authorities, and although the vast majority of fans mingled happily there were still some violent moments.

Early on Saturday afternoon around 100 Albanian ultras dressed all in black launched an attack on Italian fans near a fast-food restaurant, which was also targeted.

Riot police with batons quickly swooped in to deal with the disorder. An eyewitness told the Mail Online: "The violence came out of nowhere. The Albanian and Italian fans had been singing all day long without any problems but then it all suddenly kicked off. The riot police moved in very quickly and soon had the thugs held up against the wall."

Footage of the ultras was posted on the Czech website Hooligans.cz, which celebrates and promotes hooligan behaviour.

There were an estimated 50,000 Albania fans in Dortmund for the match, and they staged a boisterous march up towards Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park prior to kick-off. There was no trouble during the march, although smoke bombs were set off and flares lit.

A huge security operation was in place outside the stadium and at the meeting points for various road and rail routes, but the huge majority of fans took the occasion in good spirits. A clip went viral on social media showing Albania fans jokingly snapping spaghetti in front of Italian supporters, who took it all with good humour.

However, prior to kick-off fans dressed all in black could be seen forcing their way to the front of the end which housed the majority of the Italy supporters, with some doing Nazi salutes during the Italy national anthem.

Disorder wasn't just confined to Dortmund either, with one person seriously injured when a shot was fired while fans watched the match in Berlin.

German outlet Bild report that the incident happened in the district of Moabit, with police now launching a search for the gunman.

Italy fell behind after 23 seconds of the match before recovering to register a 2-1 victory and get the defence of their Euros crown off to the best possible start.

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