Spain meets victorious football team as national heroes

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Winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Spanish national team, were greeted as heroes upon their arrival in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

Winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Spanish national team, were greeted as heroes upon their arrival in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

Spain won the World Cup for the first time in their history after defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the championship's final match in South Africa on Sunday.

The country's national TV, TVE1, conducted live broadcasts from places visited by the national team. Their plane landed at the Barajas airport at about 17:00 Moscow time [13:00 GMT]. Airport employees were the first to greet the players, chanting "Champions! Champions!"

After a brief rest in a Madrid hotel, the team arrived at the royal palace at 19:50 Moscow time [15:50 GMT], for an official audience with Spanish King Juan Carlos I, Queen Sofia, their eldest daughter Princess Elena, as well as Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia.

"Today is a very emotional day for us all, the day when we celebrate your deserved victory. You are an example of sporting attitude, honor, fair play and teamwork. Thank you, champions!" he said.

The players later headed to Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's residence. The premier was unable to visit the final in Johannesburg due to his tight schedule.

"I would like to congratulate all 23 team members. It is their victory... They won, because they were the best, because of their fair play and dignity, because they proved that they are good and dignified people," the prime minister said.

The minister also singled out Andres Iniesta, who revealed a white T-shirt with the message: "Dani Jarque: always with us" after scoring the victorious extra-time goal. The move was in memory of 26-year-old player who died of a heart attack after a training session.

"I want to mention somebody who yesterday remembered someone who is no longer with us when he scored the winning goal," the minister said.

The team later made a tour in an open bus along the city's main streets, cheered by thousands of fans, waving national flags and chanting "Thank you, champions!"

The two-hour parade ended at Puente del Rey, where celebrations would continue throughout the night.

MADRID, July 13 (RIA Novosti)

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