ALBANY — Michael Ely gazed down at the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a camera flash illuminated the room.

On his hand was a diamond-studded, white gold Super Bowl ring, which gleamed in the dim light of the Across the Street Pub. He grinned broadly as he posed for another picture by the glimmering trophy, flanked by a pair of New York Giants helmets.

“I’ve been a Giants fan all my life,” the elated Greenwich man said. “This is a dream come true to see it in person.”

Ely was among scores of Giants fans who descended upon the restaurant Wednesday evening to get a glimpse of the 23-inch-tall Super Bowl trophy. Pat Hanlon, the Giants’ vice president of communications, brought the trophy and his own Super Bowl ring for fans to see as the team prepares to open training camp this week at the University at Albany campus, across Western Avenue from the restaurant.

Excited fans formed a line that ran from a back room all the way down the steps leading up to the front entrance. Some waited patiently in the

rain, as each took turns wearing the ring and admiring the trophy.

One man posed for a picture on one knee as he slid the ring onto his wife’s finger. Others opted for less elaborate poses, sporting the ring and ear-to-ear smiles.

Hanlon said the team had been planning to bring the trophy to the Capital Region ever since beating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in February. He said the Giants players and staff felt it fitting to make the trophy accessible to the fans who have supported them ever since they established their training camp in the city 12 years ago.

“We view our team as a blue collar team of the people,” he said. “Now we’re sharing the championship with them.”

Pub owner Michael “Ardi” Arduini said members of the team’s front office staff have been faithful patrons of his establishment for years. He said they contacted him Tuesday and asked if they could display the trophy in his dining room.

Arduini, a diehard Giants fan, was quick to say yes. And it didn’t take very long for word to travel.

“This is the Lombardi Trophy,” he said. “This is elite.”

The trophy will make another appearance at noon in Albany City Hall Friday and again at the Giants’ autograph session at the UAlbany campus following Monday’s practice. But those on line at the pub Wednesday clearly had no intention of waiting that long.

Patrick Paratore rushed down to the restaurant with his 8-year-old twin daughters, Lea and Giovanna, after his wife learned about the display from coworkers Wednesday. The South Colonie family religiously watches the Giant games together and was more than ready to drop everything to make the short trip.

“I said I’ve got to get a picture of them with the trophy and the ring,” he said while waiting on line. “It’s right here in our backyard.”

Ely, the fan from Greenwich, was already making plans to frame his keepsake photo with the trophy and ring. He also planned to post a digital copy of the image on Myspace.com.

“How many guys can say you have something like this?” he said, reviewing the picture on his digital camera.