SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - A huge crowd gathers in Madrid's Cibeles square to celebrate the Euro 2012 victory over Italy

Record ID: 702285

  • Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - A huge crowd gathers in Madrid's Cibeles square to celebrate the Euro 2012 victory over Italy
  • Date: 2nd July 2012
  • Summary: PEOPLE AT CIBELES FOUNTAIN GIRL HOLDING SPANISH FLAG AND CHANTING "CHAMPIONS" BARBEQUE SUPPORTERS HOLDING SPANISH FLAGS FANS CELEBRATING WITH FIRECRACKERS FANS HOLDING FLARE
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAE1GUYMD9UUDPXE8YTMTY8767S
  • Story Text: A sea of red and yellow filled the streets of Madrid late on Sunday (July 2) as many Spaniards, draped in the colours of the national flag, celebrated their team's Euro 2012 triumph and forgot for a moment about the country's deep economic woes.
    A 4-0 drubbing of Italy in Kiev saw Spain retain their European Championship title, underlining the country's dominance of the soccer stage after winning the World Cup in South Africa two years ago.
    Spain's sporting success has brought relief to a country where one in four workers are out of a job and whose fragile banking system has needed European support of up to 100 billion euros ($126.91 billion).
    For a moment, Spaniards could not care less about the economy and celebrated the triumph of "La Roja" (The Reds) in central Madrid's Cibeles square alongside people from all over the world.
    "I am Japanese, Japanese, Japanese, but I love Spain," a "La Roja" fan sang, emulating one of the famous Spanish cheering chants when the national team plays that says "I am a Spaniard, a Spaniard, a Spaniard."
    Spain´s feared Italy striker Mario Balotelli had an off night and didn´t find the net and fans at Cibeles square were happy it had been that way.
    "Ballotelli, these four are for you. That is for you, buddy!," two fans dressed up in "La Roja" colours said.
    As local newspapers were already giving Spain forward Fernando Torres, who scored the third goal and gave the pass to the fourth to his Chelsea team mate Juan Mata, the EURO 12 Golden Shoe, fans were divided about who who deserved the prize.
    "(The best is) Torres, Torres, " one fan said.
    "No, It is Iniesta, Iniesta for sure," his friend added.
    The Spanish team will return home from Ukraine on Monday and will celebrate with fans in the evening in central Madrid.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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