The Netherlands thumps Denmark

ROTTERDAM, JUNE 17. The Netherlands celebrated its victory which sent it into the last eight of the Euro 2000 on Friday, but the tournament was scarred by the first serious outbreak of hooliganism involving England fans.

Police fired tear gas during disturbances and arrested 139 England soccer fans, Brussels Mayor Francois-Xavier de Donnea said, speaking of ``a serious threat to public order.''

France beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Bruges before the Dutch co- host thumped Denmark 3-0 in Rotterdam, both winning their second Group `D' games and assuring their quarterfinals places before they play their last group matches.

The Feyenoord stadium in Rotterdam erupted in a sea of orange as fans celebrated their victory, but in Belgium the atmosphere was tense as hundreds of England fans began to arrive for their team's match with Germany in Charleroi on Saturday.

Dozens of drunken hooligans were arrested after riot police fired tear gas into a central Brussels bar in which they had barricaded themselves. Reuters reporters said the fans were chanting and throwing chairs and beer bottles at police.

Police wrestled them to the ground as they spilled out of the bar, many holding their hands to their mouths and some vomiting.

``They can stay in their own country,'' said bar owner Danillo Parmeggiani. ``I don't understand why we let them in. We knew this was going to happen.''

Earlier, a scuffle broke out in the southern Belgian town of Charleroi between England fans and Belgians waving French flags to celebrate France's victory in Bruges.

Charleroi is expected to be the flashpoint for trouble at the tournament with England and Germany's notorious hooligans converging on to a small town.

On the soccer pitches at least, the atmosphere was all good apart from doom and gloom among the Czechs and Danes who were eliminated.

The Dutch, unimpressive on Saturday in their 1-0 win over the Czechs, started slowly and left their fans wondering if they were ever going to get their act together.

Coach Frank Rijkaard must have had some harsh words to say at halftime with the score goalless and the Danes more than holding their own.

After the break, the Dutch responded to the roars of around 40,000 orange-clad fans in the stadium and moved forward with purpose, scoring through Patrick Kluivert in the 57th minute, substitute Ronald de Boer nine minutes later and Boudewijn Zenden in the 77th.

Denmark should have pulled one back when it was awarded a penalty 10 minutes from time after Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar pulled down striker Ebbe Sand. But captain Michael Schjonberg struck his spot kick wide.

France is the group leader because it has scored more goals than the Dutch and needs only a draw in its final match with the co- host in Amsterdam on Wednesday to stay on top.

The Dutch will have to win if they want to avoid leaving the Netherlands to play their quarterfinals and an eventual semifinals in Belgium.

- Reuters

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