Three young spaniards are recovering in hospital after a brutal attack last Wednesday evening in a cafeteria in the centre of Zagreb.

According to a report in the 'Jutarnji' newspaper, the incident occurred at around 9pm in the 'Boban-Vinodol' bar.

Eye-witnesses said that the three youngsters were followed into the bar by four local men dressed in dark clothing, who forced them into a corner.

One of the victims was reportedly hit over the head with a bottle while another had his head repeatedly smashed into the bar counter.

The alarm was raised by one of the waitresses, who slipped unnoticed out the back door and called the police from a nearby bar.