Harlequins head coach Mark Evans said the club's long-term plan had finally reached fruition after their sensational 27-26 Parker Pen Cup victory over Montferrand.
Quins were outplayed for periods of the game but French indiscipline and a never-say-die attitude say them clinch the win with the last kick of the match.
"We were never more than a score behind and there have been a lot of games recently when we've come away with something in the last two or three minutes.
"We started a rebirth of this club four years ago and it is about a group of people committing themselves to each other.
"We worked very hard to get to a final and we wanted to win a trophy. We will deal with next season and the Heineken Cup when next season comes.
"You have got to win things in sport - you don't get anything for taking part."
Montferrand coach Alain Hyardet was downcast in defeat. "The feeling is terrible. We were more than the equal of Harlequins but the game is played with 15 players and it was crucial losing a player at the end," he said.
"When you play rugby, you can talk about passing, tackling and pushing as much as you want but discipline is a personal problem.
"And discipline is not only about foul play. We gave away points during the match and the sanction for us now is that we won't be in the Heineken Cup next season."