German police foiled a suspected IS terror plot by raiding a series of addresses ahead of England’s Euro 2024 final match against Spain.
Officers took action after fears were raised of an attack on the Breitscheidplatz town square where thousands of Three Lions fans were gathered.
All the while, fans were unaware of any potential hazard and went on to enjoy the build up to the game, which England ultimately lost 2-1.
Three suspects were detained by German special forces who had raided addresses in nearby Potsdam.
The Sun reported that police searched three addresses while looking for five men, who were all known to be IS supporters, and found pictures on phones of Breitscheidplatz.
The town square was the scene of a 2016 terror attack when jihadists drove a lorry into a Christmas market, killing 12 people.
It was also reported that pictures of a Berlin church were found on a phone.
A spokesperson for Berlin Police told The Sun on Sunday: “The homes of three men were searched at three addresses in Potsdam.
“Forces from the special task forces were involved in the operation.
“The measures were carried out in connection with an immediate threat from the Islamist spectrum.”
Suspects have been released under police investigation, it has been reported.
German forces had been on guard against the threat of a terror attack around the Euros while Parisian police have made similar moves in the lead up to the Olympics.
The UK has also been wary of a rising terror threat and has in the past year updated its counter-terrorism strategy Contest.
Matt Jukes, who is Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, said the Israel-Hamas conflict has become a "radicalisation moment".
"In simple terms, that means more intelligence about potential terrorism and violent extremism, flowing through our systems than in recent years, from online reports, public reports and from MI5,” he said in January.
