Stade Francais - 20 Biarritz - 17: An try in the ninth minute of injury time by France winger Christophe Dominici gave Stade Français a remarkable victory on Saturday and sent the Parisians to their second European Cup final.
Stade Français looked poised for a home defeat when Dominici charged through the Basque club's defence to go over the line.
"We had a very poor first half," said Dominici. "We played much better after the interval. We were a bit lucky to score this try as Biarritz defended very well.
"But it confirmed that with some will and some courage you can achieve great performances."
Biarritz, who had shown their pedigree by finishing above two-time champions Leicester and holders Wasps in their pool, led 9-3 at half-time after three Dimitri Yachvili penalties to one from Jerome Filol.
Stade improved after the break but, after an exchange of penalties, Biarritz appeared clear as centre Damien Traille scored in the 64th minute to make it 17-6. Stade hit back with a controversial converted try by Filol - after the ball had been dropped in the build-up - to lift the Paris crowd.
In a deafening finale Dominici got the vital score and Filol converted to break the hearts of Biarritz, who also lost to French opposition, Toulouse, in last year's semi-finals.
The victory was sweet revenge for Stade Français, who suffered a humiliating 41-3 defeat at Biarritz in the French championship last month.
Dominici missed the quarter-finals in March after he was knocked unconscious by Italian prop Salvatore Perugini during France's 56-13 win over Italy in the Six Nations.
"I want to dedicate my try to one of my friends who suffered the same injury I did but he is still in the hospital," Dominici said.
STADE FRANÇAIS: Sarramea; Arias, Glas, Liebenberg, Dominici; Filol, Pichot; Roncero, Blin, Marconnet, Auradou, Brouzet, Rabadan, Martin, Sowerby. Replacements: James for Brouzet (57 mins), Lemoine for Roncero (62 mins), M Bergamasco for Rabadan (64 mins), De Villiers for Marconnet (75 mins), Poulain for Arias (80 mins). Not used: Kayser, King.
BIARRITZ: Brusque; Bidabe, Bousses, Traille, Marlu; Peyrelongue, Yachvili; Balan, August, Avril, Thion, Olibeau, Betsen, Harinordoquy, Lievremont. Replacements: Lealamanua for Balan (41 mins), Dusautoir for Harinordoquy (50 mins), Arramburu for Bidabe (61 mins), Couzinet for Olibeau (75 mins). Not used: Gonzales, Lecouls, Dupuy. Sin-binned: Olibeau (51 mins).
Referee: T Spreadbury (England).
