The Russian Football Association and Warsaw security authorities have both issued pleas for calm from supporters prior to the potentially explosive game between Poland and Russia in the Polish capital.

Ten thousand Russia fans have tickets for a game that falls on 'Russia Day', the date marking the end of the Soviet Union in 1990.

But there are expected to be twice as many Russians in Warsaw and some 5,000 have planned a march to mark their national day. To many Poles, whose rivalry with Russia extends well beyond football, this is a provocative demonstration.

Red alert: Authorities are preparing for any potential violence

The imagery in the Polish press in the build-up to the Group A match, which could take Poland to the brink of elimination should they lose, has been nationalistic and militaristic.

A famous Polish Army victory over the Russian Bolsheviks in 1920 in Warsaw has been invoked, with Poland manager Franciszek Smuda mocked up in a uniform of the time.

The headline translates as 'Faith, Hope, Smuda,' - a play on an old army motto: 'Faith, Home, Motherland'.

Tabloid Super Express chided Russian complacency that they will win tonight - 'In 1920 they also thought that and... they got a spanking.'

It is not an occasion that requires such hype and, with some Russian fans involved in unpleasant scenes inside and outside the Wroclaw Stadium after the Friday's game against the Czech Republic, there is a fear of further and more serious incidents.

Ewa Gawor, head of Warsaw security, said she had spoken to the Russian march organisers.

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