STOCKHOLM (EJP)---Between 6,000 and 10,000 anti-Israel demonstrators marched on Saturday in the streets of Malmo to protest against the Israel-Sweden tennis match.
Dozens of them clashed with Swedish police in the southern city as they sought to disrupt the match Davis cup match.
At least five rock-throwing protesters were held, police say. There were no reports of injuries.
The demonstrators, mostly youths, tried to storm an arena where the Sweden-Israel Davis Cup match was being held.
They chanted slogans condemning Israel's operation in Gaza and urged support for the Palestinians.
"We are ... anarchists who want to protest against the fact that there are this many police officers to protect the representatives of a repressive occupying force that massacred so many innocent people in Gaza," a demonstrator, who identified himself only as Jan, told AFP.
wedish police said the clashes near the Baltic Hall arena began soon after thousands of people attended the peaceful Stop the Match rally in central Malmo.
Some protesters then tried to break through police barricades set up around the sports complex, police said.
They hurled stones, firecrackers and bottles of paint at police vans, but were dispersed by hundreds of riot police.
Spectators were barred from watching the Davis Cup play because the city said it could not guarantee the Israeli players' safety, with only about 300 to 400 media representatives, sponsors and guests in attendance, according to reports.
Israeli player Andy Ram said it was a "stupid decision" to play the tie behind closed doors.
"Playing without a crowd is like playing a practice match," he said.