Eight injured in clash of Russian and Slovakian fans

Russia fans in Bratislava for their team's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Wednesday broke shop windows and were involved in clashes that injured eight people. Russian news agency Interfax reported that two Russia fans were stabbed, but were not in immediate danger.

Fifty Russian speaking people were involved in incidents late Tuesday. Among those injured were three Slovaks and three people were hospitalized, police spokeswoman Silvia Mihalikova said.

Mihalikova said 20 police patrols were called to the scene. A group of 34 people were detained and questioned, she said, adding that more than 190 police officers will be on duty in the Slovak capital Wednesday before and during the match, the AP reports.

Slovakia and Russia are tied for second place in their group and have no chance of catching leader Portugal.

However, second place will bring a two-legged playoff against another runner-up, with the winner advancing to next year's World Cup in Germany. It would be Slovakia's first World Cup appearance since the country declared independence 12 years ago.

T.E.