ALBANY — Lance Koreman just wants to see the New York Giants win another Super Bowl, or perhaps two.

“Then the Lord can take me and put me where he wants,” said the 63-year-old Koreman, who vows he’ll go to his grave in his Giants attire.

Koreman was among hundreds of fans who were at the University at Albany’s Dutch Quad training field on Friday for opening day of the 2008 Giants training camp.

It started at 8:40 a.m., under brilliant blue skies, and fans lined up at the rails early to get a glimpse of the Super Bowl champions, their favorite players and watch the team drill for the first time this season.

Officials say the number of fans could increase by as much as 40 percent this year with the team fresh off a Super Bowl title, captured with a 17-14 upset over the New England Patriots last February.

Matthew Iocovozzi, 7, who lives in Frankfurt, near Utica, stood for a couple hours near the entrance to the field, hoping to get an autograph.

It paid off.

He got a sweaty glove from Osi Umenyiora. His brother got a signed football.

“Yeah I’m a Giants fan, “said Iocovozzi, who clutched his new souvenir.

Dozens of fans wore Eli Manning jerseys, and when the star quarterback left the field after the first session, the fans went berserk, screaming and clapping as they gave him a round of applause.

“ELI! ELI! ELI!”

He stopped to sign a couple autographs amid cries of “Congratulations, man” from the crowd, 15 deep.

Coach Tom Coughlin, a newly elevated star, also stopped to sign some autographs and shake hands.

He said the fans gave the team a warm welcome at the first day of training camp and was it great to be out on the field practicing. “I’ve been sitting in an office for three days. It’s pleasant to see the sun out and everyone out.”

Someone asked him about reports that tight end Jeremy Shockey, who was recently traded to the New Orleans Saints, had said that none of the players were ever excited when they had to return to Albany for summer training camp.

“I think everyone is excited about training camp, said Coughlin. “Do you recall the first day of high school practice or college practice? You can’t help but be excited.”

How about a Super Bowl repeat? Coughlin said: “There are 32 teams in this league. Every team has one goal: To win the Super Bowl.”

And pressure on Eli Manning? “We expect him to continue to ascend,” said Coughlin.

Even non-Giants fans morphed into fans on Friday. Jeremy Aukstolis, 14, of Colonie said he came out to see the Giants even though he’s a Redskins fan.

“I may not be the Giants’ biggest fan, but I do respect them after the Super Bowl win.”

After watching the practice, Aukstolis, who plays center and linebacker for Shaker High School, was on his way down to City Hall where the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy was on display in the rotunda.

He said his goal is to make it to the NFL and seeing the trophy will help inspire him.

Back at the rail, Koreman, who is retired and has come to the training camp every day since it started in 1996, was being interviewed by the Giants television network.

“I don’t come here for attention,” he said as he waved a huge Giants flag. “I come here because I love to watch the Giants, I am here to see my team.”

He said if it were not for the Giants, he wouldn’t even watch football.

“Hey, if you’re a Giants fan, you’re my friend.”

Since UAlbany has hosted the Giants training camp, an average of 31,000 fans have attended each year. The record number of fans was in 2004, when there were 45,040 visitors. The Giants are considering moving closer to the home stadium by 2010, but it’s not a done deal.

The current training camp ends Aug. 17.