Belgrade, Aug 4 (DPA) Some 20,000 people gathered Monday in downtown Belgrade to welcome Serbian gold-medal winners from the world championship in Rome -- swimmers Milorad Cavic and Nadja Higl and the national water polo team.

A roaring crowd also welcomed the Serbian junior basketball team, which won a gold medal at the European Championship Sunday in France.

Fans waved flags and banners, lit flares and sang and chanted 'champions' as the golden boys and girl appeared on the balcony of Belgrade City Hall.

Welcome-home parties became a tradition in Serbia after successful basketball and volleyball teams and tennis players brought respite from the 1990s wars and international political isolation.

Cavic won a gold medal in the 50m butterfly and silver at 100m, while Higl was a surprise winner in the women's 200m breaststroke.

The Serbian water polo team beat Spain in a dramatic match and won world championship gold.