Fans fill Frankfurt

The World Cup is upon us. And the English invasion of Germany has begun.

Except, of course, terms like "invasion" are nothing if not inflammatory.

So far, Frankfurt, the venue for England's group opener against Paraguay, is an oasis of good natured banter and peace.

Well, as peaceful as the presence of what the Independent predicts will be 40,000 raucous England fans will allow.

"Frankfurt reverberates to themes from 'The Great Escape' and 'The Dambusters'" writes the paper, adding that for all the World War Two connotations of those songs, fans have been warned not to go overboard and indulge in anti-German chants.

The Indy says the Frankfurt police chief has "hinted at a tolerant approach to songs that poke fun at Germans".

Meanwhile the Times reports that "three Englishmen who vandalised a taxi within minutes of arriving in Germany for the World Cup" have been held at Cologne airport.

It adds that they are "believed to be the first hooligans of any nationality to be arrested".