Enormous crowds flocked to Callao Square, adjacent to the famed Gran Via in Madrid, every single day of the year for shopping, film premières and theatre shows, but all it took for the ever-busy square to come to a standstill on Monday was 12 men.
The players of the Spanish national team which conquered the EuroBasket 2015 crown on Sunday night in Lille celebrated the success in the central Madrid square in early Monday afternoon, together with an estimated crowd of 3,000 fans.
The EuroBasket 2015 champions, carrying the trophy, stepped on a stage in the middle of the square facing the Gran Via and with their backs to a billboard depicting the moment of their coronation at the top of the podium in Lille, just hours later.
The sign above the giant photo of the medal ceremony read 'Heroes of Europe' in Spanish while 'Shout Out To The Champion', the song that was composed specifically for Spain's EuroBasket 2015 campaign was playing on the loudspeakers.
The enthusiasm of the fans, who had gathered since early morning in red Spanish jerseys for a chance to celebrate their national team's big success, was undoubtedly infectious as every single player maintained surprisingly high amounts of energy despite the fact they had barely enjoyed a couple of hours of sleep following their 80-63 victory over Lithuania on Sunday night.
"Without you and without your support we wouldn't be here right now," Spain captain Felipe Reyes told the crowd amid applause.
As expected, the biggest cheer was reserved for Spain's hero, EuroBasket 2015 MVP and top scorer Pau Gasol, who was the last one to step on the stage.
Pau Gasol welcomed by hoardes of fans
There was little question about who the majority of the fans had turned out to see
"Thank you for enjoying our sport," Gasol told fans.
"We hope to experience more moments of happiness like this."
The Callao celebration was the second stop for the EuroBasket 2015 champions following their arrival in the Spanish capital in the morning.
The team boarded a bus at the airport and headed directly for Moncloa Palace, where they were received by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy just before midday.
"I want to thank you all because you have achieved something very rare, you have made so many people so happy without asking for anything in return," Rajoy told the EuroBasket champions.
"The group phase was difficult but you overcame that situation because you never gave up and kept fighting.
"This gold medal you brought back is a reward for your faith, talent, strength and conviction."
The day after for the EuroBasket champions concluded in a Madrid restaurant where this time the players and national team staff had the chance to celebrate privately, together with their families.
In late afternoon, Spain's 2015 triumphant campaign came to an official end as the gold medallists departed for their homes and will be rejoining their respective clubs in preparation for the new season from Tuesday morning.
Willy Hernangomez and Pau Ribas were the protagonists of the final moments of this glorious Spanish summer.
The youngest member of the Spanish squad, who joins Real Madrid on Tuesday, nearly dropped the EuroBasket trophy amid the celebrations but showed great reflexes in managing to avoid the accident.
Meanwhile the new FC Barcelona guard somehow found the time prior to the plane touching down in Madrid to shave his head, fulfilling the promise he had made prior to the tournament in the event Spain were proclaimed EuroBasket champions.
Meanwhile, in Vilnius, Lithuania the sun broke through on Monday evening as the silver medalists were welcomed into Town Hall Square by 9,000 fans.
Amongst the welcoming party was Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, thanking them for their service to the country. "I would like to thank the national team for the miraculous effort they showed. They proved that they are among the best in the entire continent.
"The team was spurred on by its desire to win, belief and their love for Lithuania. The players gave us plenty of joy and pride.
"I would like to wish them [the best of luck] preparing for the Olympic Games next year!"
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