Mihambo's Championship record of 6.90 metres on the concluding day of competition meant that the host team, who had an overnight lead of three points from the country seeking a fourth successive title, Russia, had secured the trophy they last won in 2009 even before the final event, the men's 4x400 metres relay.

The home team won with 371 points from Russia with 359.5 and France, making the top three for the first time, who were third with 295. Poland were two points adrift in fourth place, with Britain 11.5 points behind them in fifth.

The Czech Republic, with 208.5, the Netherlands with 208 and Turkey with 137.5 were all relegated.

The host nation had been put in a strong position overnight through unexpected wins from Arne Gabius in the 5,000m and Christian Reif, who defeated Britain's Olympic champion Greg Rutherford in the long jump.

Maximum points were also contributed by double world shot put champion David Storl.

Mihambo jumped 6.90m in the first round, and again in the third round to eclipse the Championship record of 6.83m set by Portugal's Naide Gomes in 2009 and defeat a field which included France's European champion and double winner in these Championships, Eloyse Lesuer, second with 6.87m.

Russia's Olga Kucherenko could only manage sixth place with a best of 6.43m, which meant her country's lingering hopes of retaining the trophy had vanished.

"I cannot believe it," said Mihambo.

"To jump 6.90m twice - this is incredible and wonderful. It could not have gone better."

German captain Robert Harting leads the celebrations after the host nation earned the Super League title in the European Athletics Team Championships, preventing Russia from winning for a fourth consecutive time ©Getty Images

The tone of the second day was set in the first event, as home javelin thrower Andreas Hoffman produced an upset as he won with 86.13m ahead of Russia's world bronze medallist Dmitry Tarabin, who managed 83.40m.

Christina Schwanitz managed a similar result in the first women's event of the day, the shot put, which she won with 19.43m ahead of Russia's Irina Tarasova, who threw 18.36m.

Mariya Kuchina earned Russia maximum points in the women's high jump with a clearance of 1.95m, and European 110m hurdles champion Sergey Shubenkov then strengthened the Russian position in the first track event of the day by winning in a Championship record of 13.20sec ahead of Britain's William Sharman, who ran a personal best of 13.21, with France's Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, World Indoor silver medallist, third in 13.35.

Martinot-Lagarde's compatriot Cindy Billaud won the women's 100m hurdles in a Championship record of 12.66, but then Timo Benitz produced another unlikely victory for Germany as he clocked a personal best of 1min 46.24sec to head an 800m field which included Poland's World Indoor silver medallist Adam Kszczot, second in 1:46.36.

More maximum points for the home team came through Betty Heidler's hammer throw of 74.63m, and Martin Grau took second place for them in the 3,000m steeplechase before team captain Robert Harting, the Olympic and triple world discus champion, did what was expected with a best effort of 67.42m ahead of Mihambo's unexpected final flourish.

Russia won the concluding men's 4x400m relay in 3:02.68, with Germany third in 3:03.18.

For the home fans, the result was gloriously academic.

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