European champion Spain returned home yesterday to hundreds of thousands of jubilant fans, all celebrating its victory over Germany and the country's first major football trophy in 44 years.

The overjoyed and animated players emerged from an open-top bus to form a conga line to make their way to a stage at Colon Square. After hoisting coach Luis Aragones into the air several times, they gathered around captain Iker Casillas and the European Championship trophy to sing along to Queen's "We are the champions."

"We're just starting to become aware of what we have achieved," Casillas screamed to the crowd. "We were really motivated to get back here to share this.

"This cup is yours," the Real Madrid goalkeeper said before turning the microphone to the "one man who got us where we are today, Luis Aragones."

Even the normally melancholy Aragones was overcome by emotion and joined the singing of "A Por Ellos" ("Let's Go Get Them"), which has been one of the team's theme songs since the 2006 World Cup.

"If I couldn't manage the quality of players that we have here, then it would be impossible to win the Euro. Why? Because we have the best team in the world," said the 69-year-old Aragones, who will resign as Spain's most successful coach despite repeated pleas from his players Monday to remain.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina began the official celebrations with a resume of each of the 23 players before surrendering the microphone.

"Without you guys, we wouldn't have been able to win this," said striker Fernando Torres, whose 33rd-minute goal Sunday gave Spain its 1-0 win Sunday.

The team unfurled a banner honoring Genaro Borras, the longtime team doctor who passed away shortly before the start of Euro 2008. Spanish singer Manolo Escobar eventually emerged to lead a live version of "Vive Espana" (Long Live Spain).

"Never have I been part of a group as united as this one," midfielder Cesc Fabregas said. "There's friendship between all and such unity. Things like these are the greatest thing that football can generate."

The plane carrying the team, emblazoned with the freshly painted word with "Campeones," touched down at Madrid Barajas airport at 7:40 p.m. with a bus waiting to transport them to the adoring crowd in the center of Madrid.

Casillas and Aragones first emerged from the plane, each with a hand on the trophy before Casillas handed it over to his coach for a lift.

"I'm a man who doesn't show great emotions ... but listening to the players, I'm feeling emotional today," Aragones said.

The team spent the plane ride singing celebratory songs and others ones backing Aragones to stay. Aragones assumed command following a Euro 2004 campaign in which Spain failed to advance from the group stage.

He won 38 of 54 games, including victories at Euro 2008 over Sweden, defending champion Greece, world champion Italy and Russia, twice.

Aragones repeated yesterday that there "was zero possibility" of him remaining as manager.

"I'll never forget all that I learned from him," Fabregas said.

Traffic ground to a halt as the bus crawled into the capital, reminiscent of a bull run with chasing supporters clad in red trying to keep up. Both the fans and players exchanged chants of "Campeones" over the 90-minute drive into the city center.

The last time such scenes accompanied the national team was 1964, when Spain beat the Soviet Union 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu stadium for its first European Championship title and its sole major trophy prior to Sunday.

(Agencies via Shanghai Dialy July 1, 2008)