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After quiet night, Lille prepares fans clashing at Euro 2016

A steward checks the flag of a russian supporter at the stadium entrance prior to the Euro 2016 Group B soccer match between Russia and Slovakia at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, France, Wednesday, June 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
A steward checks the flag of a russian supporter at the stadium entrance prior to the Euro 2016 Group B soccer match between Russia and Slovakia at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, France, Wednesday, June 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) A steward checks the flag of a russian supporter at the stadium entrance prior to the Euro 2016 Group B soccer match between Russia and Slovakia at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, France, Wednesday, June 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

By Associated Press 3 min read

LILLE, France (AP) – After an unexpectedly quiet night in Lille, Russian and Slovakian fans are gathering at the Stade Pierre Mauroy for Wednesday afternoon’s European Championship match while a legion of English and Welsh supporters are still in town.

In the morning hours, dozens of Russian and Slovakian fans were peacefully walking the streets in the Villeneuve d’Ascq area, a 10-minute walk from the stadium.

Security forces were in place, with 15 police vehicles lined up along the district’s main road near a huge shopping mall. Visitors to the mall were checked with detectors before being allowed in.

“Russia and Slovakia, we are close as nations,” said Slovakia fan Maric Blesko, who is from Bratislava. “I don’t think there will be problems between us. Brits and Russians, they always fight, the Western and the Eastern countries.”

The city was expected to be the scene of fan rioting after Russian and English fans clashed before and during their teams’ game in Marseille on Saturday. England is playing Wales on Thursday in nearby Lens, and many British fans are staying in the bigger city of Lille, which is on a direct rail line from London and Marseille.