A small number of West Ham fans have been arrested in Zagreb following an incident in a local cafe on Wednesday evening.
The atmosphere in the Croatian capital has been a friendly one with Hammers fans and locals socialising together the evening before the match, and during the day building up to kick-off.
However, the Croatian press have reported that following injuries sustained by a Croatian citizen a number of West Ham supporters were detained.
A police statement read: "Yesterday, September 15, 2021 at around 9.25 pm at the address in Zagreb in Tkalčićeva Street, police officers who were deployed for security work on the occasion of tonight's match that is taking place at Stadion Maksimir noticed tensions between guests on the terrace of the restaurant followed by a fight between several people, ie visiting and home fans.
"Police officers in a timely manner, using coercive means and batons, isolated and detained four British citizens aged 23, 20, 25 and 23 who were in a group that was physically and using other objects (chairs, mugs, bottles) attacked two Croatian citizens aged 26 and 21. In the conflict, given that the 26-year-old was injured, an ambulance was called while the 21-year-old had no injuries."
Two other British men aged 31 and 35 were arrested following their involvement in the altercation.
Despite this isolated incident the city is calm and there has been no other incidents reported with West Ham fans enjoying the build-up to their first ever Europa League group stage.
There are expected to be around 2,000 Hammers fans in Zagreb ahead of the match with Mark Noble thrilled the supporters have made it over.
The match kicks off at 5:45pm UK time with David Moyes expected to field a strong team. NiKo Vlasic is set for his full Hammers debut after his father revealed the Croatian will be in the starting line-up.
Moyes could also hand debuts to Kurt Zouma and Alphonse Areola with Alex Kral understood to be handed a place on the bench.
