A man wielding a pickaxe has been shot after threatening police officers in Hamburg, Germany, ahead of a Euro 2024 game in the city. 

Local police said the man is currently receiving medical treatment for a leg wound following the incident in St Pauli which is near a fan zone for supporters of the Netherlands, the BBC reports. 

The man's injuries are not life-threatening. 

A police statement said the attacker also tried to set fire to a Molotov cocktail before approaching several people, including police officers.

The Netherlands are due to play Poland in the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in a matter of hours. The tournament is taking place in cities across Germany and runs through July 14. 

There is no evidence the man had any connection to the football tournament and the motivation is still unclear, police say. 

"He apparently tried to set fire to this Molotov cocktail and then approached several people including police officers, and the police officers then had to make use of their firearms," said Hamburg police spokesperson Sandra Levgruen.

"We assume that this is an isolated case, that is, disconnected from football... I don't see any threat at all or any impact on the game today," Ms Levgruen said.

Officials said a major police incident is ongoing. 

"At St Pauli, there is currently a major police operation," a Hamburg police statement said. 

"According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms.

"The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment."

It comes a day after German police shot to death an Afghan man after he fatally attacked a compatriot and later wounded three people watching the televised opening game of the Euros in eastern Germany.

ABC/Wires