Spain’s players celebrated the second European Championship title in the country’s history in the heart of Madrid, as hundreds of thousands of fans from all over Spain joined the Spanish national team players. Traffic came to a standstill in the capital as supporters wearing red and yellow lined the streets from Barajas airport to Plaza Colon. Fans could also be seen climbing up trees, on to cars, vans, and bus stops as they all tried to get a view of their heros.

The whole country was gripped on Sunday night as millions of viewers (80% of the domestic television audience) watched the match live. Fernando Torres’ goal in the 33rd minute led to wild celebrations throughout the night across Spain as revellers partied in a nationwide fiesta to celebrate the European Championship triumph.

Many fans had camped out all day to secure a prime position in the central square before the Spanish expedition landed at Barajas airport at 19:35 hours (CET). The players paraded the European Championship trophy in an open-top bus along the 15 kilometre journey to Plaza Colon, before being meet by the red sea of fans.

All of the players received a hero’s reception as they took the stage led by the Liverpool number ‘9’, before the squad danced and celebrated with fans for three hours.

The players paid an emotional tribute to former Spain doctor Genaro Borras, who passed away a few weeks before the European Championships started. The squad and coaching staff all held a banner with the doctor’s name as the fans applauded.

Following some words from captain Iker Casillas and the Spanish coach Luis Aragones, Fernando Torres took to the microphone: “I would like to thank all the fans. This triumph belongs to you, because without your support we would not be here now. Thank you.”

Fernando Torres’ Liverpool team-mate Pepe Reina then took centre stage as he presented each and every one of his team-mates to the delight of the players and crowd present.

Spain last won a major international trophy in 1964 with victory over the former USSR in the European Championships, though the 44 year wait was brought to an end by the current sqaud of 23 players led by Luis Aragones, and with a goal in the final from Fernando Torres. The party though did not end at Plaza Colon as fans across Spain celebrated long into the night.