Turkish delight

We are the champions

By Ankara correspondent, Chris Morris.

Turkey has been plunged into scenes of wild celebration following Galatasaray's victory in the UEFA Cup

Right across the country, hundreds of thousands of Turks poured on to the streets after midnight to greet Galatasaray's victory with flags and flares, fireworks and gunshots.

Convoys of cars drove wildly through the streets, honking their horns, as Turkey celebrated its first European football success.

But this match was always about more than just football. It was about Turkey's need for respect from the rest of Europe.

National pride

It became an issue of national pride. More than 150 members of parliament attended the match in Copenhagen, and messages of congratulation have been flooding in from political leaders.

In the middle of major cities, patriotic songs blared out from loudspeakers as huge crowds danced, sang and banged drums.

For many people, Galatasaray's success may still be overshadowed by the deaths of two English fans before the semi-final in Istanbul against Leeds United.

But across Turkey that has been forgotten - the mood is of unrestrained celebration.