Tens of thousands celebrate victory in Barcelona

Source: AFP

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Some 35,000 people packed the streets, according to police figures, gripped by the action in London's Wembley Stadium displayed on a giant screen at city's Triumphal Arch.

They erupted into cheers, launched fireworks and brandished imitation trophies as first Pedro, then Lionel Messi and finally David Villa banged the ball into the net.

At the final whistle the entire city exploded into a din of car horns and trumpets. Joyful city-dwellers hurled firecrackers into the streets from balconies.

"Barca! Barca! chanted supporters dressed in the blue- and claret-striped Barcelona team shirts as they waved team flags.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique cheered his team on Twitter and said the squad will go to a concert by his girlfriend Shakira who is playing in Barcelona on Sunday.

"Champions!! Champions!! thank you so much!!" Pique wrote. "Tomorrow at Barcelona and then the players will go to @shakira concert in the Olympic Stadium!!"

The 24-year-old Pique, a former Manchester United player, met Shakira last year while shooting the video to her song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" -- the official track of the 2010 World Cup won by Spain.

In Barcelona's nightlife district of Paralelo, bars burst with fans watching screens in bar terraces.

As soon as the match was over crowds of tens of thousands rushed to the city centre Canaletas fountain where Barcelona fans traditionally fete their biggest victories.

Fans also streamed into the Plaza de Catalunya square for a party set to rage through the night, snarling city centre traffic.

On the eve of the match, police cleared the Plaza de Catalunya of an encampment set up by hundreds of demonstrators decrying Spain's economic crisis, clashing with some who blocked city cleaning trucks.

Police said they had to dismantle the tents in readiness for the Barcelona victory party.

"We have come to celebrate. They are doing something quite different. I already came last night to show my solidarity," said 28-year-old unemployed waitress Ester Albino, wearing a Messi shirt.

Protesters said they welcomed the fans.

"We are a peaceful movement, tolerant, and a lot of us here are also Barcelona fans at heart," said a spokesman for the movement.

Barcelona will party on through Sunday when the players make a victorious homecoming parade. Celebrations begin at 5.30pm (1530 GMT) in Barcelona's port and wrap up with a musical spectacle in the Camp Nou at 10:00pm (2000 GMT).