Spirits high in debt-stricken Spain after win

Even here in unemployment lines, Spain is forgetting for a fleeting moment about the country's deep economic woes after their team won the Euro 2012 title.

Despite joy over the historic win, one in four workers are out of a job, and the country's fragile banking system has needed European support of up to 100 billion euros.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNEMPLOYED CONSTRUCTION WORKER, CARLOS IGLESIAS, SAYING:

"We turn to football because no one can fix this economic crisis. For a long time now, since Rajoy was the interior minister this was already happening. You know it. And today I just came back here. I've been working three months and now I'm again unemployed. No one can fix it, thank goodness, at least we have football."

Meanwhile in Italy, newspaper front pages showed Italian players in tears and spoke of delusion.

"Monti brings bad luck," read Il Libero, referring to Prime Minister Mario Monti's attendance at the match.

"Goodbye to the European dream but thanks anyway," read Il Giornale.

Despite the disappointment, some tried to look on the bright side after an unanticipated 2-1 victory over Germany.

Sarah Sheffer, Reuters