Moment Of Unity As Spain Win Euro 2008

Under a merciless sun, many had camped out all day to secure a prime position in front of giant screens showing the game. For most, the wait for a Spanish footballing triumph had lasted a lifetime, and the memory of this night will not be easily extinguished.

Draped in Spanish flags, they spilled out of the plaza and on to the Paseo de la Castellana. The traffic immediately ground to a halt. But the incessant honking of horns was for the team, not the delay. Perhaps not quite believing what they had seen, some fans dived headlong into the fountains at Cibeles.

For a nation that boasts great champions in so many other sports, this long-overdue footballing success was a cleansing experience. "Finally!" was the apt Monday morning headline of the daily newspaper ABC, referring to the 44 years that had passed since Spain's last major tournament victory.

So often since then, talented Spanish teams have failed to live up to their potential, but this time, the paper declared, "Spain has put an end to its black footballing legend". On and off the pitch, this was a celebration of youth. But two venerable Spanish gentlemen gate-crashed the fiesta.

In the stands, a fist-pumping King Juan Carlos led the traveling support, and later took his turn at clutching the cup in the victors' dressing room. "I'm delighted for the boys, the team and for Spain," grinned the 70-year-old king. "We've suffered, but it was worth it."

The other prominent senior citizen was the man to whom these players owe their chance. On Sunday, Luis Aragones was coaching Spain for the final time.