Addressing reporters at the Croatian embassy in Belgrade after meeting with Veljovic, Vitez expressed confidence that the Serbian police had done everything possible to make tonight's event incident-free.

Calling on Croatian fans to cheer their team, Vitez recalled that before the European Handball Championship in Serbia the two countries' police forces had signed a protocol on cooperation, agreeing to cooperate and exchange information in ensuring that there were no incidents during the tournament.

"Our police officers in charge of sport fans are also here, working with Serbian police and helping our fans," he added.

Asked if he believed that assaults on Croatian supporters this past Tuesday were to be blamed on both police forces or on Serbian police, Vitez said that it was difficult to say.

"The Croatian Ministry of the Interior forwarded all relevant information to (the Serbian police), but incidents are always possible and we condemn them. We are pleased that the Serbian police acted promptly after the incidents, that the perpetrators are being tracked down and arrested and that they will be punished in line with the law."

Commenting on two buses with Croatian fans having been sent back to Croatia from Bajakovo, a crossing on the border with Serbia, Vitez said the fans in the two buses did not have tickets for tonight's game, and that both police forces had recommended returning fans without valid tickets.

Serbian police director Veljovic said during the meeting with Vitez at the Serbian Interior Ministry earlier in the day that the two police forces wanted the Croatia-Serbia semi-final match to be held in an atmosphere befitting a sporting event, adding that politics and hooligans were not welcome at the match.

Veljovic welcomed all Croatian handball fans, saying the Serbian police had done everything possible to make sure security at tonight's event was at a high level.