(1 Jul 1996) Grman/Nat
Germany's victorious soccer team has been given a heroes' welcome in Frankfurt after flying home from Britain.
Germany scored a goal in extra-time in Sunday's Euro 96 final at London's Wembley stadium to beat the Czech Republic 2-1.
The victory marked the national team's first World Cup or European Championship win since German unification in 1990.
The victorious German team arrived at Frankfurt International Airport to a rapturous welcome after winning the European Championship final at Wembley on Sunday night.
The players were greeted with flowers from cheering fans as they disembarked the plane.
Many devoted supporters waited all morning just to catch a glimpse of their national heros.
With the European Cup in hand goalkeeper Andreas Koepke walked down the stairs of the plane.
Though the players and coach refrained from making any comments to the press, they were ready to give autographs to fans.
Oliver Bierhoff - hero of the final having scored both goals against the Czech team - carried flowers given to him by an adoring fan.
The team were then driven to City Hall by police motorcade to show off their silverware to the tens of thousands of fans waiting for their return.
The German squad arrived at Roemerberg Square - or Roman Square - where over 30 thousand singing fans waved German flags.
Berti Vogts, Andreas Koepke, and Juergen Klinsmann signed autographs and chatted with supporters as they walked up the stairs of City Hall.
The German side then stood on the balcony and gave their devoted fans a rendition of "We are the Champions" sung in English.
The players later received a well deserved beer, while the major of Frankfurt Petra Roth toasted the German national side.
The tens of thousands remained in the square for celebrations that are sure to go long into the night.
Although most fans peacefully waved flags and drank beer, there were some arrests in various German cities as some drunken fans ran riot.
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