Amlin Challenge Cup final success would go a long way to relieving the pain of an otherwise disappointing season for Stade Français Paris - not to forget automatic qualification for the 2011 / 2012 Heineken Cup tournament.
The Parisian club, twice Heineken Cup finalists in 2001 and 2005, have finished the regular Top 14 season in a lowly 11th place with victory against Harlequins at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night their sole route into the 17th Heineken Cup.
"We are very happy to have come this far because we have had a tough season on the domestic front," said French international wing Julien Arias.
"If we play the final and don't win it will be pointless - all the efforts will have been in vain and it would simply end up being a season to forget.
"However, there is a lot of hunger among us for this Amlin Challenge Cup final and we are going into it with a huge appetite for the contest. We are desperate for success and winning a European title could make us forget this season's poor results and tough times.
"Although we have not done well in the Top 14 we are trying to focus on our good form in Europe so far and take that into the final.
"As we are not involved in the domestic play-offs this will be our last fixture of the season so it is our chance to give everything we have left in us.
"The good news about not being involved in the play-offs is that we have had more down time than normal to prepare fully for the final but, having said that, we know our opponents Harlequins are in the same situation.
"Nevertheless, we have got optimum conditions to get things right and focus on winning.
"And a major incentive for us would be to get back into the Heineken Cup next season. We have not qualified this season and it is always a big ambition of the club to be playing in the tournament against the best teams in Europe. We finished 11th in our league table so now the only way for us to play in the Heineken Cup is by winning the Amlin Challenge Cup.
"What is more, be it the Heineken Cup or the Amlin Challenge Cup, a final remains a final and you want to win it no matter what and winning it would reward all our efforts even though they haven't always been converted into good results or success this year.
"We simply want to finish on a high."
A 29-25 semi-final victory over reigning French champions ASM Clermont Auvergne emphasised their hunger to qualify for the final - and Arias sees that same hunger being behind Harlequins' last four win against Munster in Limerick.
"Harlequins might have qualified for the final against the odds against Munster at Thomond Park but looking at their performance, the quality of their players and game plan it didn't come as a surprise for us to see them becoming our final opponents.
"In fact it was quite logical as it shows how strong willed and powerful they were because it is no small feat to beat Munster on their home soil. We know what to expect, they are very strong and they will no doubt cause us a lot of trouble on Friday night.
"I could name one player in particular, wing Ugo Monye, who is a powerful and talented element, and then there is their brilliant half back partnership of Nick Evans and Danny Care. Overall it is a talented squad and there will be some serious match-ups."