Biarritz Olympique have won a European title at the third time of asking - and captain Imanol Harinordoquy described their 2012 Amlin Challenge Cup Final victory at the Twickenham Stoop as "incredible, fantastic."

The 21-18 win over Toulon ended the frustrations of two losing Heineken Cup finals and came at the climax of a season that saw then fighting just for their Top 14 survival.

"This game changes everything for us - tonight we have won a title and we will be in next season's Heineken Cup," said their inspirational captain and No 8.

"It is probably now our best season from the last six years because before tonight we had not won anything in that time. It was the last game for Sylvain [Marconnet] and, to finish with a title, and I sure he - like all of us - will remember this night for a long, long time.

"We have had a lot of difficult games this season and they were useful experience for this final. Normally Jonny (Wilkinson) is the one who gives us a hard time but tonight we had Dimitri and I think maybe it was fate."

Scrum half and Amlin man of the match Yachvili produced another immaculate kicking display to outshine England's 2003 World Cup winner and Toulon outside half Wilkinson.

"We lost two Heineken Cup finals and this at last is a title for us and that is why we are very, very, very, very happy," said the man who landed all seven of the penalty goal chances on offer.

"They tried to keep the ball at the end for Jonny to find the posts with a drop goal and while Toulon are a very good team we held out. We are very happy and proud it went so well for me but that is down to the efforts of my team-mates."

For Toulon there was the heartbreak of losing a second Amlin final in three seasons and their search to end a 20-year wait for silverware goes on.
It was like a chess game - and they won it," said Toulon coach Pierre Mognoni.

"It was a tricky final and although we played with a lot of energy Biarritz played to the final whistle and also to the best of their ability.

"Our supporters have been waiting 20 years for a title but at least we will have a second chance in the Top 14, starting with Racing Metro next weekend. We have to hold our heads up high and start thinking about next week's match."

For Toulon captain it was a second near miss - Joe van Niekerk adding: "It is the second Amlin final we have lost but we have to find our fighting spirit to make sure we win next week.

"The boys played with a lot of heart and we hung in there and were in with a chance right up to the final seconds. But in a final like this you cannot give away two yellows cards and go down to 13 "