Huddersfield boss Nathan Brown said his side's magnificent effort in defence was the key to victory over St Helens in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
The Giants made a host of mistakes with ball in hand, but their outstanding defence kept St Helens at bay.
"We're not the best defensive side by fluke and we were good enough to repel them," Brown told BBC Sport.
"We feel that if we put our best foot forward and have our players fit then we can challenge anybody."
Huddersfield produced a quite superb defensive display
St Helens, the top try-scorers in Super League this season, went into the game as strong favourites in a competition they have completely dominated in recent years.
Saints have won the last three Challenge Cups, with their last defeat in the competition coming back in the 2005 semi-final against Hull.
But their long reign was finally brought to an end by a brave Huddersfield outfit, although Brown admitted his players had needed to ride their luck.
"You have to have the ball bounce your way at times and that happened for us," added Brown.
"Full credit to the players - the coaching and medical staff play a small part but the players run out there and do the business.
"St Helens were never going to give up because they are a champion side but we held on.
"They are a hard-working set of players and great credit to them."
Giants captain Brett Hodgson scored his side's first try and produced an all-round display that won him the man of the match award.
"The defence has been key all year and to hold a side with so many attacking weapons out was a superb effort," he said.
"It is unbelievable. We don't have as many superstars as St Helens, but it's an amazing feeling now."
Hodgson won the Grand Final in Australia's NRL with Wests Tigers in 2005, and he said the achievement of winning at Wembley - if Huddersfield can overcome Warrington - would be at least as impressive.
The Giants players enjoy the moment as the final hooter sounds
"It's enormous and will be right up there with in 2005," he said.
"I think it's the same kind of spirit we had that year, let's hope the stars are aligned and we can do it again."
Giants stand-off Kevin Brown guided his team's efforts in attack as well as tackling well above his weight in defence, and the 24-year-old said the victory was the sweetest feeling of his career.
"It is the best feeling in my life," he said.
"We have shown what a bit of effort and unity can do. Nobody gave us a chance. We listened to Nathan Brown: he's a great coach and we did what he said.
Reaction - Huddersfield reach Challenge Cup final
"We took our chances and they didn't take theirs, it's a fantastic feeling."
Saints coach Mick Potter had no complaints over the result, pointing to a series of below-par performances by his side in the build-up to the match.
"We could probably have executed a little better but didn't. We have been a bit up and down with our play in the last few weeks," he admitted.
"Huddersfield did well. A couple of set plays came off for them early on and that set them up. Their defence in the second half was pretty tireless."
Saints clearly missed the inspirational play of veteran scrum-half Sean Long, who failed to make his comeback from a broken jaw.
"I was hopeful but he just wasn't quite ready," said Potter. "I left the call as late as possible to give him every chance but it wasn't to be."
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