Celebrations for Spain at the World Cup fan park

More than 7500 Dutch and Spanish football fans, as well as a few neutrals, turned out in Castlefield to support their national teams in the World Cup Final at the Hyundai Fan Park on Sunday evening.

Continuing the happy atmosphere that has prevailed at the fan park throughout the tournament, Spanish fans were overjoyed to see their team triumph in the nail-biting final, which ran to extra time and saw Spain triumph 1-0.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure said: "It was fantastic to see the footballing spirit of this city portrayed by so many international football fans gathering with their families to support the Netherlands and Spain in Manchester. It was a fitting confirmation that this city is a centre of footballing passion and an exemplary final to the Hyundai Fan Park in Manchester.

Screenings of World Cup matches at Castlefield Arena have been accompanied by additional entertainment. The five-a-side beach football festival, which was won by St Brigid's Primary School from Beswick, has been a tremendous success at the venue as was an event in tribute to comedy-genius Chris Sievey, the man behind Frank Sidebottom.

It is now hoped that the beach that has been located at the fan park for the duration of the World Cup will now stay for the rest of summer with a series of family events and activities planned.