Eintracht Frankfurt, with Socceroo Ajdin Hrustic stepping up when it counted, have beaten Rangers 5-4 on penalties to lift the Europa League title and win their first European trophy in 42 years.
Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp saved Wales star Aaron Ramsey's spot-kick - Rangers' fourth - while Eintracht were flawless in their execution, scoring all five, including Hrustic's conversion after he came on as a late substitute.
In the penalty shootout, Hrustic calmly slotted his attempt, sending Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor the wrong way to make it 2-2.
"To come on as a substitute and take a penalty, that takes a lot of nerve," former Socceroo keeper Mark Bosnich told Stan Sport.
Hrustic almost made a dramatic entry into the game when he was brought on in the 106th minute and the attacking midfielder could have clinched the decider for Eintracht.
But he dragged his left-footed shot wide of the right-hand upright and the game finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
"We are all the heros, look at that," Trapp said. "There's not one hero, we're all it."
"It feels incredible. I'm trying to catch my breath still.
"For us, for Frankfurt, for the region. For the whole of Germany I think it's a wonderful thing. To be able to give back to our fans this way is so special."
Joe Aribo had struck against the run of play in the 57th minute to give Rangers the lead, charging clear after a string of defensive errors and sliding the ball past Trapp.
The Germans, unbeaten in the competition going into the final and eyeing their first European title since 1980, bounced back as Rafael Borre snuck in between two defenders to turn in a Filip Kostic cross in the 70th.
The win also means Eintracht will be competing in next season's Champions League despite finishing in 11th place in the Bundesliga.
Rangers ended extra-time the stronger side, but a brilliant save from Trapp ensured the game went to the shootout where the superb technique and mental strength of the Germans won it.
The quality of the spot-kicks was outstanding with just one player fluffing his lines as Ramsey's soft effort was saved by Trapp after the first six shots had all found the net.
It came down to Borre to settle the contest and the Colombian, like all his teammates, kept his cool to set off the celebrations for the thousands of Germans in the stadium.
Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner is the first Austrian boss to lift a continental title since the legendary Ernst Happel in 1983.
"Everyone squeezed everything out," he said.
"Now there's a couple of days to celebrate."
Rangers were trying to win their first European title since lifting the trophy of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 and were left to rue missed opportunities.
The Scottish club also lost to Zenit St Petersburg in the 2008 UEFA Cup.
"It's the small margins when you get to this stage of competitions," Rangers captain James Tavernier said.
"It was in our own hands but we conceded that goal and then Trapp makes a great save from Ryan Kent.
"Then he makes the save in the shootout and we are all just devastated."
- with DPA and AP
Australian Associated Press
