At least 63 arrested for riots before the first semifinal of the basketball Final Four in Berlin

BERLIN, May 25. (DPA/EP) –

The Berlin Police have confirmed that they arrested 63 people last Friday during the riots prior to the start of the first semi-final of the top European basketball competition, the Euroleague, in the final matches being held in Berlin, traditionally known as Final Four.

Of those arrested, fifty are now under disciplinary proceedings for clashes between the fans of Greek Panathinaikos and Turkish Fenerbahce, during which security forces seized two machetes, two cans of pepper spray and an extendable baton.

The tension ended up boiling over when a group of 80 fans tried to take advantage of the relaxed security measures around the venue of the matches, the Berlin Arena, to sneak into the venue.

The riots also left two police officers injured, according to the balance sheet of the security forces, who have announced a tightening of protocols on Sunday ahead of the third and fourth place match, as well as the grand final that will pit the Greek team against Real Madrid, which defeated Olympiakos this past Friday.