German hooligans detained

Police arrested 45 German hooligans in the western city of Cologne early Wednesday after they had scuffled with and taunted foreign fans after England's 2-2 draw with Sweden in a World Cup match.

The troublemakers were known to the authorities, who intervened when it appeared "they were planning something" in a local bar, a police spokesman said.

Several people were slightly injured in the brawls.

The worst trouble came after the match, which thousands of England fans watched on a big screen on the bank of the river Rhine before going on to drink in the bars and pubs of the old town, police said.

About 50 Germans provoked a group of mainly England fans in one bar and they came to blows before police intervened.

Around the stadium "the situation was equally tense" a police spokesman said, although there were no reports of arrests there.

Some 200,000 people were partying into the night in the streets of Cologne, according to police.

Some 35,000 English fans and 10,000 Swedes attended the match which ended in a 2-2 draw.

The result meant that England won the group stage and thus avoid playing Germany in the next round, taking on instead Ecuador on Sunday in Stuttgart. Sweden also progressed and will play Germany next in Munich on Saturday.

Tens of thousands of fans who could not get tickets for the game watched it on a giant screen with English commentary in the square outside Cologne Cathedral.