This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28306321

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
World Cup: Germany welcomes conquering heroes home World Cup: Germany welcomes conquering heroes home
(35 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of German football fans in Berlin have gathered since daybreak to welcome the return from Brazil of their World-Cup-winning team. Tens of thousands of German football fans are giving a hero's welcome to the World-Cup-winning team in Berlin.
The flight bringing the triumphant players to the capital touched down from Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday morning. Many had gathered since daybreak to welcome the triumphant players who touched down from Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday morning. Huge crowds lined their bus route into the capital.
Celebrations will take place at the Brandenburg Gate, where the players will display the famous gold trophy. The main celebrations are taking place at the Brandenburg Gate, where the players will display the famous trophy.
The mood in the country is euphoric, with huge crowds expected for the parade through the city. Germany's fourth World Cup win - and the first since the 1990 reunification.
Many people have bought replica shirts with four stars on, marking Germany's fourth World Cup title. Berlin transformed
Team greeted The team's 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday's final sparked delirious scenes across Germany which culminated in Tuesday's celebrations in the centre of Berlin.
The team's 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday's final sparked delirious scenes across Germany.
Thousands gathered on a viewing stage at Tegel airport to witness the arrival of the plane, a Lufthansa jet rebranded "Fanhansa" for the team.Thousands gathered on a viewing stage at Tegel airport to witness the arrival of the plane, a Lufthansa jet rebranded "Fanhansa" for the team.
"This is a historic event," 34-year-old bus driver Bernd Hesse told the AFP news agency."This is a historic event," 34-year-old bus driver Bernd Hesse told the AFP news agency.
He said that fans of the team had waited 24 years for a German World Cup victory, the first since the country was reunited in 1990. He said that fans of the team had waited 24 years for a German World Cup victory.
"It's not every day that you get to see something like this," Mr Hesse said."It's not every day that you get to see something like this," Mr Hesse said.
Those members of the team that play for Bayern Munich will also get a separate welcome parade in Munich later.Those members of the team that play for Bayern Munich will also get a separate welcome parade in Munich later.
The BBC's Steve Evans in Berlin says that as many as half a million people are expected to greet the team when they arrive in central Berlin with the World Cup.
The triumphant side will appear on a stage in front of the Brandenburg Gate at one end of what is called the Fan Mile, where hundreds of thousands of people watched on big screens as Germany won the trophy on Sunday.The triumphant side will appear on a stage in front of the Brandenburg Gate at one end of what is called the Fan Mile, where hundreds of thousands of people watched on big screens as Germany won the trophy on Sunday.
Our correspondent says that Berlin has been transformed for the arrival, with the old sponsors' logos for the tournament torn down and new ones for the home-coming put up. The BBC's Steve Evans in Berlin says that Berlin has been transformed for the arrival, with the old sponsors' logos for the tournament torn down and new ones for the home-coming put up.
Commercial opportunities are being maximised, our correspondent says.Commercial opportunities are being maximised, our correspondent says.
It is not clear if Chancellor Angela Merkel will appear during the celebrations. She was photographed with the team shortly after the final whistle at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.It is not clear if Chancellor Angela Merkel will appear during the celebrations. She was photographed with the team shortly after the final whistle at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The German victory in Brazil was the first time the competition had been won in South America by a European nation.The German victory in Brazil was the first time the competition had been won in South America by a European nation.