(10 Jun 2012) Croatian a fans covered \ central square with a gigantic flag in the Polish city of Poznan on Sunday, ahead of their opening Euro 2012 football championship match against Ireland.
Croatian and Irish fans were seen dancing beneath and around the giant flag as both sets of fans celebrated together.
"The Irish have shown that they are Croats, and the Croats have shown that they are Irish," Croatian fan Daniel Yuric from Zagreb said.
The joyous scenes were a far cry from the tension displayed overnight when Polish police said they arrested 14 football fans involved in a brawl in Poznan.
Police official, Andrzej Borowiak said police detained 10 Poles, three Irish fans and one Croat, and were still trying to determine what role they had in the fight.
Both sides are hoping for a successful start to the 2012 European Championships when their teams clash at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan later on Sunday.
Ireland may be a rank outsider to win the tournament - the team isn't even favoured to qualify from its toughest group - but that hasn't put off the fans .
"Quarterfinals. No, we will win the thing, we'll win the thing," Irish fan Owen Teasy from Dublin said.


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