Spain and Germany enjoy final Viennese waltz

The temperature in the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria reached fever pitch as Germany and Spain kicked off their campaign for glory in the European Championship final today.

While German fans sporting their team's white tops outnumbered their Spanish counterparts flaunting their vibrant red and yellow colours, the latter gave no ground when it came to chanting, cheering and partying for their side.

"Spain are going to win 4-2 and it is a fantastic night tonight," said Leo Berrera from La Rioja.

Some Spanish fans were dressed as matadors and flamenco dancers, but not wanting to miss out showing off their national costume, some Germans had arrived dressed in their lederhosen.

Many non-Spaniards and especially soccer fans from co-hosts Austria and Switzerland had opted to support the Spanish side in defiance of their bigger neighbour, Germany.

But German supporters were undeterred.

"The atmosphere is really great, we were all singing in the underground on the way here and now we will out-sing the Spanish," said Tobias Scholz, 25, from the German city of Kaiserslautern as a group of German fans passed behind, sporting tin-foil trophies on their heads.

"This will be the best game I have ever been to," said Christine Mueller, 23, from Stuttgart.

With waltzes being played in the stadium, balloons in the colours of all participating nations were paraded out and actors dressed in Mozart-style outfits danced around the pitch.