A crowd of around 20,000 welcomed back Germany's World Cup-winning women from China on Monday.

Germany successfully defended their world title without conceding a goal, beating Brazil 2-0 in Sunday's final.

They received the sort of reception usually reserved for their male counterparts at Frankfurt's city hall.

"I'm absolutely overwhelmed and overjoyed that so many people are here," Germany coach Silvia Neid told the crowd, estimated at 20,000 by the German Football Association.

"Now let's celebrate together."

Germany won the women's World Cup for the first time in 2003. The country's men have been world champions three times.

Reuters