Source: CCTV.com

07-01-2008 10:18

After their 1-nil triumph over Germany in the final of the 2008 European Championship, the Spanish football team have returned to capital Madrid where they were received with a spectacular welcome. Despite losing the final, the German squad also received a hero's welcome back in Berlin.

Spain's soccer captain Iker Casillas raises the trophyon the team's arrival at Barajas airport in Madrid, Monday, June 30, 2008, after Spain won the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships final against Germany.(AP Photo/ Paul White)

In Madrid airport, Captain Iker Casillas and coach Luis Aragones emerged from the plane carrying the trophy to an eruption of loud cheers. The champions then traveled to the Colon Square, singing celebratory songs. After arriving at the packed Square, the team paraded the Henri Delaunay trophy in front of their celebrating fans. Stunt jets flew over the square, adding to the celebrations.

Spain's soccer captain Iker Casillas, right, and teammate Fernando Torres hold the trophy on their arrival in Madrid, Monday, June 30, 2008, after Spain won the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships final against Germany. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

The win ended a long wait for Spanish fans, who last saw their nation lift a major trophy when they beat the Soviet Union to clinch Euro 1964.

German fans welcome their heroes

Although Joachim Loew's side were comprehensively outplayed by a much more skilful team in the final, they were met with a hero's welcome back at the German capital.

More than 300,000 fans welcomed their defeated team home at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin at a ceremony paying tribute to the Euro 2008 runners-up.