German police detain six England fans in Cologne

COLOGNE, June 20 (Reuters) Six English fans, one German and one Swede were detained by police in Cologne in the early hours today for drunk and disorderly behaviour ahead of England's World Cup match with Sweden in the city.

''Alcohol is starting to take hold now and we expect more people to be detained during the night,'' a police spokesman said ahead of the Group B match at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion.

Under German law police can detain individuals for threatening behaviour or if they suspect they are likely to commit a crime.

Tens of thousands of England and Sweden supporters are expected in the western German city to follow today's match which begins at 2100 local time 2430 hrs Ist.

Thousands have already arrived and spent last night drinking and revelling in Cologne's old centre and along the banks of the river Rhine.

REUTERS PDS BST0558