Russian and/or Polish are not races. Other than the one incident involving these two groups there has been no increase in violence - there have been fewer arrest in Poland than on an average long weekend - just over 200 including the "riot" and we are a full week in. UK headlines are a joke - plain and simple and always have been. There is some great soccer going on and very little "bad" things. We are judging from afar with no idea of what is really happening. Poland and Ukraine - given their history's have done a fantastic job of hosting this huge event so far.

***Although I am a bit upset that they have arrested topless women.

Who said people WOULD die? Most people said it would be unsafe to be a visible minority in this part of the world. I still stand by that.

Nice gloating bili. It's so becoming.

Only if my shadow jumped out of a Poznan alley and shitkicked me.

GoF said: Before and after the Ukraine-England game is going to be a bloodbath, no matter what the result.

Yeah i was thinking the same earlier, especially if ingurland go through

croatia fa fined for fans lobbing a banana at Balotelli yesterday, its ok though nobody was killed

They haven't been fined for that.

Fined because of two pitch invaders and launching flares onto to pitch from the Ireland match. The Italy match still is going through the review process... Actually, I'm not sure a formal investigation launched yet ... I can't imagine there wouldn't be.

Just came across this documentary on Ukranian Ultras, it will help provide some perspective from the Ukranian side.

Maybe I am being naïve but I don't think anything major happens beteen the Ukrainian and English on Tues.

I thought you said they weren't being investigated for racism.

They weren't charged for racism yet - that was last night. This is today and the charge was laid.

I even said that they would be charged for racism.

The fine roderzz referred to was regarding a non racism issue from the Ireland match.

The longer Croatia is in the tournament, the more confusing it will get.

Seem to get charged @ each match for something.

I don't think that Scotland qualifies either way.

I pick Belgium to win that group with Croatia edging out Serbia to take the playoff. Scotland finishes 4th.

I wish these kind of stories would get more play. I'd say this is representative of 90% of visitors experience where people celebrate their similarities rather than differences:

http://www.vancouversun.com/mobile/sports/news/Euro+2012+Poles+Russians+show+each+other+friendship+Warsaw+hope+peaceful/6793941/story.html

But I guess blood and violence sells papers so we rarely hear about this.

bili said: I wish these kind of stories would get more play. I'd say this is representative of 90% of visitors experience where people celebrate their similarities rather than differences:

Agreed. But one could also argue that the sporting event itself is a positive event. The "joy of competition" and all that.

bili said: They weren't charged for racism yet - that was last night. This is today and the charge was laid.

I even said that they would be charged for racism.

The fine roderzz referred to was regarding a non racism issue from the Ireland match.

What is amazing is that the fine handed to Croatia was less than the fine to Bendtner for flashing his gitch. Obviously Uefa are more serious about eliminating underwear than racism!

seathanaich said: Maybe it's partly to do with the fact that Bendtner is clearly responsible for what he has done, compared to the Croatian FA who are (much?) less tangibly responsible for the actions of individuals within their supporters.

This was UEFA's chance to make a statement against a minnow. They failed.

Again - there is quite a bit being said about the poor refereeing from yesterday's match vs. Spain and that UEFA is quite happy to see Croatia go home. So maybe the unofficial penalty was lack of respect from the officials.

And the racism will just continue.

The good news is most of the Eastern Euro clubs are out of the tournament.

Yeah not so sure that one can be pinned on racism. More likely drunken stupidity. Very sad at any rate.

When someone dies.

I have no idea if Sol Campbell would have been right about that. We don't know how many minorities heeded his advice and stayed away. We don't know how many of them went to the games but didn't linger out late or did anything a typical Caucasion fan would/could do. We don't know how many of them might have been threatened, both verbally or physically but didn't report it.

I'm sure most of Ukraine and Poland is generally safe for everyone, but I'm not arrogant enough to pretend that I know what it's like to be a black fan travelling through Eastern Europe and whether their experiences are any different from someone who isn't a minority. Maybe Sol Campbell was grossly exaggerating, or maybe he knows first-hand of the potential dangers.

ETA: Remember Bili, it only takes one person to respond to racist taunts, one person to light the powder keg. It's possible nothing may happen in this tournament, or even the next, but as long as the possiblity exists should you dismiss it so easily?

Why do you say that? Am I missing something?

bili said: He is just disappointed that there haven't been serious injuries as a result of racism.

If I know anything about Brenton, it's that he's constantly cheering for hate crimes. Or is that chicken and waffles? They are so similar.

Bad_Gones said: Fucking waffles. Always pretending there SOOOO much better than pancakes.

I saw a guy eating pancakes the other day. He threw a banana at them, the racist prick! Then he cut up the banana on the pancakes and said they were delicious but I know what he was thinking.

Bad_Gones said: Fucking waffles. Always pretending there SOOOO much better than pancakes.

Who's waffles pretend that?

hard to beat a really good pancake, well it is actually, but damn it a good pancake is like a little bit of heaven.