Violent clashes broke out over the weekend between fans of Greek basketball teams Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, who are in Berlin for the Euroleague Final Four, authorities said.
According to reports, the supporters of the two teams confronted each other near the Prenzlauer Allee railway station and outside a city hotel. A spokesperson for the German police confirmed the skirmishes to Berliner Zeitung, stating that approximately 60 fans used baseball bats and clubs during the violent altercations.
The incidents mark a continuation of unrest surrounding this year’s Final Four, as disturbances also occurred last Friday before the semi-final match between Panathinaikos and Fenerbahçe.
At the time, Panathinaikos fans gathered outside the Uber Arena awaiting entry when they were attacked by supporters of the Turkish team with thrown objects. Later, German police reported that some fans attempted to enter the stadium without tickets.
While the announcement did not clarify whether the fans were supporters of Panathinaikos or Fenerbahçe, German media outlets suggest they were likely Turkish.
The Euroleague Final Four has been marred by fan violence, casting a shadow over one of European basketball’s premier events. Authorities are now on high alert as they work to ensure the safety of all attendees for the remainder of the tournament.