BERLIN, July 9: Hundreds of thousands of Germans waving flags of black, red and gold gathered at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on Sunday to pay tribute to their World Cup team, who clinched third place with victory over Portugal.

Fans held placards saying “You are the world champions of our hearts” and “We're proud of you” as the players waved to the crowd under blue skies and bright sunshine.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann's young team has triggered a wave of enthusiasm across the host nation with attacking football and an unexpectedly strong showing in the competition.

“We've experienced a party four weeks long like there's never been in Germany,” Klinsmann told the crowd at Berlin's Fan Mile, a pedestrian zone created for fans to party and watch matches on big screens throughout the World Cup.

“You're unbelievable!”

The German players sported T-shirts with the slogan ‘Danke Deutschland’ in the national colours of black, red and gold and the words ‘Team Spirit’ printed on the back along with the number ‘82 million’ — the population of Germany.

“Many, many thanks, you're the greatest!” captain Michael Ballack told the crowd to loud cheers.

Organisers said at least 500,000 people had turned out to thank the German team.

Coach Klinsmann, the target of heavy criticism before the World Cup, is now under strong pressure to remain in his job.

Despite calls from the crowd to stay on, Klinsmann, whose contract ended on Saturday, said he still needed more time to consider his future.

“I can't take it all in,” he said. “Give me a few more days.”—Reuters