The friendly match between Germany and Netherlands in Hanover on Tuesday night was called off less than two hours before its start for fear of a bomb attack, German police have said.

BREAKING: Hanover chief of police: "There was a device intended to be detonated inside the stadium." #GERNED

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) November 17, 2015

Hanover Police President Volker Kluwe told state broadcaster ARD that authorities had taken seriously indications of a planned attack with explosives. He did not elaborate.