Intro:

Clashes between football fans and police overshadowed the viewing of France's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Spain in Paris on Saturday night.

Script:

Ugly clashes between supporters and police marred the viewing of France's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Spain in Paris on Saturday night.

During the match fans threw flares, bottles and stones at police at one of the fans parks in the French capital.

Away from the violence French and Spanish supporters mixed fairly peacefully next to the Eiffel Tower to watch the game.

Xabi Alonso scored twice for defending champions Spain as they advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and sent France home.

French coach Laurent Blanc had set his team up to contain Spain to start but it never worked and some supporters weren't happy with the way their team played in the last eight encounter.

SOUNDBITE (French) Valentin Picard, France supporter:

"They were really better than us, we couldn't do anything. We were playing in defensive way for too long. We were in a trap. We should play more offensively, that's it.

As for Spain, they will now face Portugal in Tuesday's first semi-final, with supporters hoping they can become the first team to win three successive major tournaments.

SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Peres, Spain supporter:

"I am very happy and I hope we will win over Portugal and that we will arrive to the finals."

France and Spain will meet again later this year as part of their World Cup qualification campaigns.