Madrid honours Real champions

"Championes": Real Madrid fans pack the Spanish capital

MADRID, Spain -- Thousands of fans celebrated throughout the night after Real Madrid were crowned champions of Europe for a ninth time.

They packed the streets of the Spanish capital, singing and dancing, following Wednesday night's 2-1 win over German team Bayer Leverkusen at Glasgow's Hampden Park.

In Scotland, thousands more Real fans sang "Happy Birthday" to toast the victory that crowned Real's centenary year. Captain Fernando Hierro conducted the crowd while Spanish King Juan Carlos -- a Real fan -- looked on.

Later, in Glasgow's city centre, Scots joined Spanish fans in a huge conga in the rain, chanting: "Championes," "We are the Champions" and "Ole."

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Spanish striker Raul and French World Cup star Zinedine Zidane scored the goals for Real at the scene of their 7-3 triumph over another German team, Eintracht Frankfurt, in 1960. (Full story)

Student Carlos Martinez, 23, from Madrid, told the UK Press Association: "It is unbelievable. My dad brought me up telling me up about 1960 and it is wonderful to win it at Hampden again.

"Glasgow has a special place in the hearts of Real fans and the people have made us feel so welcome. We love this city."

Engineer Miguel Rabelo, 36, also from Madrid, said: "Zidane's goal was out of this world. To win it in our centenary year is special and the atmosphere was unbelievable."

His wife Helena, 32, a primary school teacher, added: "We go to lots of football matches in Spain and there is always a family atmosphere. The atmosphere here in the UK tonight was the same. Everyone was smiling and clapping. I think the people of Scotland should feel very proud tonight."

Police in Glasgow reported no trouble among the estimated 18,000 Real and 7,000 Bayer fans. Instead, officers posed for photos with fans.