Triumphant Germany return to heroes' welcome

Germany's UEFA Women's EURO-winning squad were welcomed home from Sweden by over 7,000 fans at the Frankfurter Römer on Monday afternoon.

Silvia Neid's charges had celebrated at their team hotel in Solna following Sunday's 1-0 final success against Norway which clinched a record sixth straight European title – before returning home to an enthusiastic reception. The squad appeared on the famous balcony of Frankfurt's town hall where a number of triumphant Germany teams have been honoured in the past.

"I hope you are all in the mood to join our party," said goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who saved two penalties in the final, and whose coach Neid was basking in the glory of arguably the side's greatest victory. "This title is extraordinary," said Neid. "Nobody would have believed we could win it with all the young players. This tournament and our players have made me ten years younger, but I am not sure I will feel the same after the party."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also sent a message of congratulations to Neid and her squad, which had entered the tournament missing several key players through injury. "Your impressive team showed their international class, playing high-quality football," she said. "They have inspired the people in our country with their passionate and battling way of playing."

Neid, meanwhile, was singled out for praise by German Football Association (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach, who had spoken warm words to the coach in Solna. "This team have a great future and they were a real unit – which was the key to success," Niersbach told DFB radio."You [Neid] have done a great job in the successful transition, integrating young players."

Germany will next prepare for 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying, which begins with a home game against Russia on 21 September in Cottbus.