Mikulov - Checkpoints at the border between the Czech Republic and Austria provide an unusual view. Instead of deserted customs houses that have become obsolete after the country's entry to the Schengen zone, there are Austrian police controls located at the three major checkpoints in Mikulov, Dolní Dvořiště and Hatě.

After passing the custom house in Mikulov, travelers need to undergo another control in Drasenhofen cusom house on the opposite part of the border, where Austrian police is accompanied by their Polish and German colleagues.

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Polish fans

The reason for this increased activity is that Mikulov - Drasenhofen checkpoint will be one of the most frequented by Polish fans travelling to Wien and Klagenfurt.

"Of all the fans that could be travelling through this place, Poles are the worst," said the chief of police of Mistelbach, Florian Landengruber district.

The strictest border checks are to be expected during the time when the Polish football team will be playing its matches. The lines at border corssings could be significantly prolong then.

Minor checkpoints less controlled

People that are not travelling to the Euro championship should opt to cross the border at smaller checkpoints where controls will be done less frequently.

In addition, football hooligans from parts of eastern Germany may also be travelling to Austria through the Czech Republic.

The German and Polish teams will play each other on Saturday in Klagenfurt, thus intense traffic is expected in Southern Moravia.

Weapons prohibited

Czech fans present less of threat to the police.

Austrian and Czech police are prepared to strictly control what items are carried across the border. "Finding any weapons, baseball bats or anything similar will be a reason to prevent the owner from entering Austria," assured police chief in Mistelbach.

On Wednesday, four men from Chechnya trying to get into Austria were detained near Mikulov as a result to the increased border patrol.