Some 100,000 Germany fans have welcomed their team home to the capital after a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain in the European Championship final.

The cheering crowd has waved German flags and signs bearing slogans of appreciation as the team players have appeared one-by-one Monday on a stage in front of Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate.

"Ballack: I love you," read one woman's sign at the event on the so-called "Fan Mile," a venue set up for open-air viewings of the tournament matches.

Some 600,000 gathered there on Sunday to watch the live telecast of the championship from Austria.

Another has expressed the hopes of many that the team will build upon their strong showing in the European tournament for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa: "Danke: See you in 2010," the placard read.