HAMBURG police today shot a man they say was armed with an “axe-like object” and a “Molotov cocktail” just hours before the city staged its first game of Euro 2024.

The German city’s police force said officers were threatened by the individual and, after he refused to drop the incendiary device, he was shot in his leg.

The incident took place near the city’s fan park in the St Pauli district around two-and-a-half hours before the Netherlands faced Poland at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion.

A statement from Hamburg police added: “The police officers immediately provided first aid, which was continued a short time later by medical personnel. The man is currently receiving further care in a hospital.”

Pictures on social media had earlier shown thousands of Netherlands supporters in the city enjoying the build-up to the Group D opener.

The incident reportedly took place near to where a large crowd of Dutch supporters were gathered, however the police could not say whether the fans were being targeted.

“A football connection cannot currently be determined, nor are there currently any insights into other motivations,” Hamburg police added.