Thousands welcome Madrid back home after European triumph

MADRID (AP) - Tens of thousands of fans endured the rain to greet Real Madrid players as they returned home early Sunday from their Champions League triumph, then packed the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium at night to watch them lift the trophy one more time.

The celebrations lasted all day and culminated at the Bernabeu, where players were welcomed by a lights show and spectacular fireworks display.

"Without your support we wouldn't have been able to win this beautiful trophy," Cristiano Ronaldo said atop a stage set up at midfield, before singing along with the crowd.

The squad had already made stops at city hall to meet with local officials in the afternoon, and in the morning it celebrated with fans who had waited all night after watching the team's win over crosstown rival Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout on Saturday in Milan.

The players arrived in Madrid at about 6 a.m. local time and traveled on an open bus to the club's traditional celebration spot, the Plaza de Cibeles, where an estimated 30,000 supporters welcomed the team.

Players carried the Champions League trophy atop the bus, constantly showing it to the cheering fans. The word "Campeones" and "11" were displayed prominently on the bus, in reference to the club's 11th European title.

Team captain Sergio Ramos, who scored Madrid's goal in regulation time at the San Siro, took the walkway set up over the plaza's fountain and draped the statue of the goddess Cybele with the club's scarf and flag, then lifted the trophy high above the famous figure.

A huge video screen was set up at the plaza to allow fans to watch the final, and the party began right after Ronaldo converted the final penalty kick in the shootout to give the club its second European title in three seasons.

Atletico Madrid supporters, who again were denied the opportunity to celebrate the title, had gathered at a different viewing spot to watch the final.

There were no reports of major incidents between fans of the rival clubs.

Real Madrid said "almost 80,000" fans watched Saturday's final on four huge screens at the Bernabeu. The title celebration at the stadium included confetti thrown into the air as "We are the champions" played through loudspeakers.

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Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni