Charleroi celebrates

England won the battle on the pitch

The mayor of Charleroi says the trouble which flared prior to the game between England and Germany has failed to prevent the Belgian town from gaining a positive image.

"There was much enjoyment here. The five minutes during which chairs flew through the air changed nothing," said Jacques Van Gompel.

"There was no more trouble than at a hearty carnival."

Van Gompel also said Charleroi and the organisers of the two matches staged there had been vindicated by how well the games had passed off, particularly the crunch meeting between Germany and England.

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"We were able to prove that Charleroi could stage this match," he said.

"The stands did not collapse, the town was not destroyed and there were no deaths."

Happy union: Germany and England fans are all smiles

In the weeks leading up to the tournament, officials from both Belgium and England had questioned the safety of the Charleroi stadium's three tier-terrace and the speed at which supporters could be evacuated through the narrow surrounding streets.

Belgian police arrested over 900 English fans during two days of violence last weekend in Charleroi and the capital Brussels. An England fan was stabbed in Charleroi.