Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his side's "fantastic achievement" after they defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to win the Champions League in Moscow.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard exchanged first half goals but that was the end of the scoring in 120 minutes of high drama at the Luzhniki Stadium.
"That's the first penalty shoot-out I've ever won," Ferguson told Sky Sports after claiming the crown for the second time.
"When we missed the penalty kick (from Ronaldo) we thought we were in trouble but I thought we deserved the win.
"We had the best chances. In the second half they had more control but in extra time we were better.
"It's a fantastic achievement."
When asked whether he thought it was fate, with this year being the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster Ferguson added: "I think so. I think we deserved to win it.
"We started the British sojourn into Europe in 1955 and we deserved to get his trophy tonight.
"I'm delighted for my players. I think this has the making of my best team."
Ronaldo told Sky Sports: "I feel very proud for the lads. They believe all the time. The lads deserve the Champions League. I looked forward to winning this competition -and we won the Premier League. It's a magnificent season for me."
Ronaldo shrugged off missing his penalty in the shoot-out, adding: "This is football. I don't know what to say.
"I think we're going to lose. I score the goal and miss the penalty. The worst day of my life.
"But the lads did the proper job and I feel very proud for them. It means everything for me."
United hero Edwin van der Sar savoured some personal redemption after losing on penalties to Juventus when he was with Ajax in 1996.
The Dutch goalkeeper saved Nicolas Anelka's spot-kick after John Terry earlier missed a chance to win it at 4-4.
Van der Sar told ITV 1: "Twelve years ago I lost on penalties and we've won it now. It's unbelievable. We deserve it. It's fantastic."
Terry clipped the outside of the post with Van der Sar beaten and United defender Rio Ferdinand admitted he thought their chances had gone.
"I was thinking he's going to score," Ferdinand said. "He's a great penalty taker normally but he slipped. Unfortunately someone's got to lose and tonight it's them."
It was a special moment for Ryan Giggs as he broke Sir Bobby Charlton's United appearance record and collected his second European Cup winners' medal after also playing in 1999.
"I can enjoy it a little bit more this time," said Giggs, who felt United were worthy winners.
"We deserved it, we've been the best team. Credit to Edwin, we came good in the end. The first half we dominated, the second half they had chances but we held our nerve in the end."
United lost to Manchester City on the actual anniversary date of Munich but Giggs felt Wednesdya's victory was a fitting tribute.
"Looking back to City, we were all disappointed," he said. "Hopefully this has made up for it."
A clearly crestfallen Avram Grant sympathised with John Terry after his missed penalty in the shoot-out eventually cost Chelsea the trophy.
"What can I say? We dominated the game, we hit the post two times and then we lost on penalties," the Blues boss told Sky Sports.
"JT is the main reason we are here. We had a difficult time and he is part of the team. The team play excellently and I am very proud.
"He was great all season, he was great in the semi-final and this game. He is the reason they didn't create any chances - I feel sorry for him and the team."
Grant, whose future at Stamford Bridge remains unclear, promised Blues fans his team would be back.
"It's not the last time you will see Chelsea in the final," the Israeli vowed.
"You will see us back and we will win the final."
Lampard believed Lady Luck deserted Chelsea after they got back into the game following a poor start.
"Once we woke up and started playing after half an hour we hit the bar and post and looked the stronger team for sure," he told Sky Sports.
"It's very cruel but that's football.
"We knew that once we started to pass we could start to dominate the game. We just felt very comfortable and I felt if anyone would score it would be us."
The England midfielder also took time to offer words of consolation to Terry.
"John is Mr Chelsea," Lampard added. "He wants it more than anyone and not many centre-halves would stand up and take a penalty of that importance.
"John did what he did and he will be back."
Following the recent death of his mother, Pat, Lampard admitted he was struggling to contain his emotions.
"I feel very emotionally drained," he revealed.
"It (the final) has become almost not that important with things personally recently.
"My team-mates have been fantastic - I'm very fortunate to have them and I wanted to be here with them and win the Champions League."
Despite the cruel nature of the defeat and missing out on two trophies, Lampard insisted Chelsea will bounce back next season.
"We'll come back stronger because we have characters and we've got a team of giants and I think today we showed that," he told ITV 1.
Giggs dismissed any suggestions he was ready to retire by declaring: "I want nights like this again."
He told Sky Sports he was confident about taking his penalty in the shoot-out, but still believes the 1999 final was more dramatic.
"I don't think you can beat '99," Giggs said.
"Penalties can be a lottery. It's how close the teams have been all season."
Giggs said it was a proud moment to beat Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record for United, especially on a night of Champions League glory.
"It is a proud achievement for myself and my family," he said.
"But in the end it's all about winning trophies."
