Ecuadoreans celebrate shock victory

QUITO, Ecuador, June 10 (Reuters) - Thousands of chanting Ecuadoreans poured into the rain-washed streets of the capital Quito on Friday to celebrate their team's World Cup victory in its opening game against Poland.

''We have showed the world that Ecuador is a major South American powerhouse,'' said 34-year-old Luis Vicente yesterday holding a beer bottle in one hand and the national flag in the other.

''We did a wonderful job and I will party until my body can't take it anymore.'' Defying rainy, gloomy weather, droves of fans wearing their national team's yellow jersey flooded Quito's main avenues, dancing and hugging each other.

Ecuador produced the first shock of the World Cup beating Poland 2-0 after a string of friendly games defeats in recent months had worried fans back home.

Humberto Sanchez, a 46-year-old street vendor celebrating with friends, said the victory gave his countrymen a much-needed morale lift from everyday worries.

''Nothing matters any more,'' bellowed Sanchez jumping up and down on the middle of an avenue. ''For one day we will forget all our economic and political problems.'' Nearly half of Ecuadoreans are poor and the banana-producing country has struggled in recent years with political instability. In the last decade, popular and congressional turmoil have toppled three democratically-elected presidents.

During the match, Quito's streets remained nearly empty as thousands of workers, some wearing the team's jersey under their jackets and sweaters, headed back home early to watch the game.

The government declared a half-day holiday yesterday to allow supporters to watch the game live.

Shortly after the match, President Alfredo Palacio called the country's soccer federation chief in Germany to congratulate the team, a government spokesman said.

''This is an example for all Ecuadoreans to join forces in an effort to achieve progress,'' the spokesman said. ''This was a spectacular victory.'' REUTERS AD VC0605