Russian fans gather for march to stadium in Warsaw

WARSAW, Poland (AP) -Russia fans waving their country's flag are getting ready for a march to the National Stadium before their team's match with Poland, watched closesly by police who fear clashes.

Polish authorities are taking huge security precautions out of fear that small groups of football hooligans on each side could start trouble.

The two countries share a difficult history, including decades of Moscow control of Poland during the Cold War, and Russians marching in Warsaw is seen as a provocation by some Poles.

Russia fans are blowing horns and whistles, but they say they just want to show support for their team and celebrate their country on the Russia Day holiday Tuesday.

One fan said, "we want Russia to be big, to be strong. We are celebrating our holiday and we are not thinking about the Poles.''