CSKA Moscow coach Valery Gazzayev paid tribute to his battling side after they came from behind to beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 and win the Uefa Cup.
"They are heroes. They did the impossible," said Gazzayev, after his team scored three second-half goals.
"From our first match in the Uefa Cup we had this goal - to win the cup - and we achieved what we set out to do.
"The players totally deserved this victory because they've played well throughout the entire competition."
Gazzayev's side started their European campaign in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
They were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages, finishing third in their group behind Chelsea and Porto, thereby qualifying for the Uefa Cup.
Wednesday's final ensured CSKA equalled the previous record of 19 European games played in a season.
Sporting coach Jose Peseiro felt his side were unlucky to finish as losers.
"We knew their counter-attacks were strong," he said. "They are the best team we've faced this season.
"We are enormously sad. We gave our all but luck wasn't on our side. We dominated for long periods."
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