Tommy Haas and Alexander Waske revived memories of Germany's glorious tennis past by capturing the World Team Cup with a stunning 2-1 comeback triumph over Argentina on Saturday.
Guillermo Coria had taken the favourites to within a victory of their third title with a quickfire 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Florian Mayer but the home side roared back to win the next two rubbers.
Haas kept German flags flying with a shock 6-4, 6-3 win over French Open champion Gaston Gaudio to level the tie before he and Waske upstaged Coria and Guillermo Canas 6-1, 6-2 in the doubles to spark jubilant celebrations in the Rochusclub.
The result gave Germany their fourth crown here, but the first since 1998.
"We had nothing to lose playing against Argentina, the best claycourters in the world," said Haas.
"The guys who were playing the singles against us today were in the French Open final last year and I was really happy the way I played my singles."
In the city where Germany had won the last of their three Davis Cup titles in 1993, the achievement of Haas and company was truly remarkable considering they were facing an Argentine dream team made up of three top-10 players.
The victory provided an astonishing turnaround for a team that had come within two points of being knocked out of the tournament by Spain on Friday.
Mayer's stirring fightback against David Ferrer in Friday's second singles secured the hosts an unexpected passage into the final and German number one Haas, ranked 22 in the world, ensured it would not be a wasted opportunity.
However, the day began rather tamely for the underdogs.
Coria shrugged off accusations that he was not a team player by running a rather lethargic Mayer ragged around the baseline during a 51-minute defeat.
TOLL TAKEN
The three-set win over Ferrer appeared to have taken its toll on Mayer with his shots lacking depth and failing to put Coria under any pressure.
Even when the Argentine dropped his serve at the start of the second set, he smiled before storming through the rest of the match.
"I've had a good run here and now have a good feeling for Roland Garros," said Coria, who had shoulder surgery last August.
"I'm going there without any problems and have high expectations for the French (Open)."
Gaudio had been expected to seal the Argentine triumph but ran into an inspired Haas in the second singles.
Determined to make amends for his singles defeat against Spain on Friday, Haas brought the despondent German fans back to life by streaking to a 3-0 lead against Gaudio.
Despite struggling to find his feet on centre court, Gaudio clawed back to forge ahead 4-3 before his game and resolve crumbled.
The world number six released his pent-up frustration by smashing his racket to the ground when trailing 3-1 in the second set but the move did little to change his fortunes.
Haas, who was also involved in the 1998 triumph, sealed the win on his fifth match point when his opponent misfired a service return.
"I would have liked to have played better in order to go to Roland Garros with more confidence but I didn't play well and just had a bad day," Gaudio said.
Buoyed by his singles victory, Haas was unstoppable in the doubles.
After exposing the Argentine duo's lack of team work, a crunching backhand volley from Waske sealed Germany their improbable win.
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