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By Gennady Fyodorov
MOSCOW, June 26 (Reuters) - Disappointed but proud Russia fans spilled onto the country's streets on Thursday night after watching their team lose 3-0 to Spain in the Euro 2008 semi-finals at the Ernst Happel stadium in Austria.
Many hoped for a repeat of Saturday's celebrations when in Moscow alone more than 700,000 rejoiced into the night after Russia beat the fancied Netherlands 3-1 to reach the last four.
Russian television reported that Moscow police had estimated even bigger crowds on Thursday night if Russia beat Spain.
"It could reach three million people," the state-run Vesti news programme quoted police as saying before the match.
Thousands of riot police were on guard throughout Moscow on Thursday to keep the supporters under control and no major disturbances or serious injuries were reported.
While most fans, who watched the match being played in Vienna in sports bars and restaurants, were left heartbroken following the heavy defeat and went home quietly, loud cheers were still heard throughout the city.
NATIONAL HERO
Chants of "Rossiya, Rossiya" echoed into the night air as others shouted "Guus, Guus, Guus", in honour of Russia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.
Hiddink has become a national hero to millions of Russians overnight for moulding a team many regarded as underachieving and dull into one of the most attractive sides at Euro 2008.
For the past two weeks football fever has gripped the world's largest country from the Baltic Sea to Siberia and the Far East as Russia's improbable run continued at the tournament being co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.
"It was like a dream, but like any dream it must end sooner or later," said one fan, wrapped in the Russian flag, as he walked out of a bar near the city centre.
"But we're still proud of our team and we're very proud of Guus Hiddink, our coach, for all that he has done for Russian football. I just really hope he stays in the job and continues his work, then next time we'll definitely come out on top."
Spain will now play Germany in Sunday's final.
