updated 5:51 p.m. ET June 30, 2008

MADRID, Spain - Hoisting their coach in the air and singing “We Are the Champions,” Spain’s victorious soccer players returned home Monday to hundreds of thousands of joyous fans ready to celebrate the European title.

The players emerged from an open-top bus to form a conga line toward a stage at Colon Square. After tossing 69-year-old coach Luis Aragones several times, they gathered around captain Iker Casillas and the European Championship trophy to belt out the song by Queen to mark the country’s first major soccer championship in 44 years.

“This cup is yours,” Casillas screamed to the crowd before turning the microphone to the “one man who got us where we are today, Luis Aragones.”

Even the normally melancholy Aragones was overcome by emotion and joined the singing of “A Por Ellos” (“Let’s Go Get Them”), one of the team’s theme songs since the 2006 World Cup.

“If I couldn’t manage the quality of players that we have here, then it would be impossible to win the Euro,” he said. “Why? Because we have the best team in the world.”

Aragones will resign as Spain’s most successful coach despite repeated pleas to stay from his players Monday. He reiterated there was “zero possibility” of that happening.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina began the official celebrations with a resume of each of the 23 players before surrendering the microphone.

“Without you guys, we wouldn’t have been able to win this,” said striker Fernando Torres, whose 33rd-minute goal Sunday gave Spain its 1-0 win over Germany on Sunday in Austria.

The team unfurled a banner honoring Genaro Borras, the longtime team doctor who died shortly before the start of Euro 2008. Spanish singer Manolo Escobar led a version of “Vive Espana” (Long Live Spain).

The plane carrying the team — emblazoned with the freshly painted word with “Campeones” (champions) — touched down at Madrid’s Barajas airport at 7:40 p.m. with a bus waiting to take them to the center of Madrid.

Casillas and Aragones first emerged from the plane, each with a hand on the trophy before Casillas handed it over to his coach for a lift.

“I’m a man who doesn’t show great emotions ... but listening to the players, I’m feeling emotional today,” Aragones said.

Slideshow Just for kicks Take a look at soccer wives and girlfriends from all over the world. NBCSports.com

Aragones took over the team following a Euro 2004 campaign in which Spain failed to advance from the group stage. He won 38 of 54 games, including victories at Euro 2008 over Sweden, defending champion Greece, world champion Italy and Russia twice.

Traffic ground to a halt as the bus crawled into the capital, reminiscent of a bull run with chasing supporters clad in red trying to keep up. Both the fans and players exchanged chants of “Campeones” over the 90-minute drive into the city center.

After the late-night celebrations Sunday, a 40-year-old man wearing a red Spain jersey was found dead in Madrid. He sustained head injuries apparently from a fall, media reports said. There were 52 arrests.

The last time such scenes accompanied the national team was 1964, when Spain beat the Soviet Union 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu stadium for its first European Championship title and its sole major trophy until Sunday.

MORE FROM SOCCER

Soccer Section Front

Beckham, Galaxy trying to continue hot streak Slideshow: The life of Beckham on and off the field Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire set for showdown Widow: Germany goalkeeper Enke was depressed Germany stunned by Enke's suicide death Germany-Chile game canceled after Enke's death   Opinion: All guns are blazing at Arsenal US player Charlie Davies released from hospital Maradona to attend FIFA disciplinary hearing MLS scores, schedules, standings, more Soccer Section Front   Add Soccer headlines to your news reader: