Source: CCTV.com

07-02-2008 10:39

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

Spain's Euro 2008 champions continued their celebration on Tuesday. This time, they were honored at the gardens of Madrid's Royal Residential Zarzuela Palace, where King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain gave them a warm welcome at a reception.

Spanish national soccer team coach Luis Aragones, left, shows the trophy to Spain's King Juan Carlos at the Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts of Madrid, Tuesday, July 1, 2008, after Spain won the Euro  2008 Championships final against Germany.  (AP Photo/Paul White)

King Juan Carlos hugged the 23-man squad and joked with them about the victory. Crown Prince Felipe and wife Letizia and Princess Elena were also there, to congratulate the team personally for bringing home Spain's first major soccer trophy for 44 years. The Royal family also enjoyed lifting the coveted Euro 2008 trophy.

The official reception continued in the gardens of the Prime Minister's Moncloa Palace where the national players, dressed in smart black suits, staged yet another grand entrance. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero joined his office staff and their children in welcoming the national squad to the reception.