(5 Jul 2004) SHOTLIST
1. Greece fans in Athens watching the game
2. Fans celebrating as final whistle is blown
3. Various fans celebrating in street
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox pop:
"Very proud for Greece."
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox pop:
"We are very proud for Greece. It is the better team and Haristeas is the best scorer. Portugal, no."
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox pop:
"I can't believe it right now. We would like to thank very much the whole team, the whole Greek squad."
7. Various of fans celebrating
STORYLINE
Millions of jubilant fans waving Greek flags and honking car horns poured onto the streets on Sunday to celebrate the national team's victory over Portugal in the final of soccer's European Championship.
The win - by a goal from Angelos Haristeas in the 57th minute - marked Greece's first title in a major international soccer tournament.
The Greek team defeated former champion France in the quarterfinals and favourite Czech Republic in the semis before beating Portugal 1-0 in Sunday's final.
Fans started to gather in busy Omonia Square in central Athens within minutes of the final whistle, waving Greek flags and singing the national anthem.
Some fans cried with joy and embraced while some jumped into fountains. Others lay the national flag in the street and bowed in front of it.
Even fire trucks and police cars joined the celebrations, parading along with the crowd through the capital.
It was the largest street party since 1987, when Greece's national basketball team won the European championship.
The entire city was illuminated as hundreds of colourful fireworks formed a bright drape over the ancient Acropolis and other monuments.
Canons under the city's Lycabetus hill fired celebratory shots.
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