(CNN) -- Even though the Ryder Cup prize ceremony took place at Medinah long after the sun had set, the staggering nature of Europe's triumph eclipsed the gloom -- and left many golf fans wondering how the visiting side had recorded the most remarkable comeback in the competition's 85-year history.
Trailing 10-4 at one point on Saturday, and 10-6 as Sunday's singles got underway, the team led by Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal defied the odds to win a record eight-and-a-half points on the final day and thus the trophy itself.
As darkness enveloped Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Europe's captain Olazabal talked of how the spirit of Seve Ballesteros had been key to his team's success.
Inspirational and flamboyant, Ballesteros won five major championships, revolutionized the European Tour and revelled in the passion of a Ryder Cup battle with the United States. He died in 2011 after a long battle with cancer.
"Our team played in the spirit of Seve without ever giving up," Olazabal said.
Read: U.S. stunned as Europe wins Ryder Cup
For leadership and teamwork specialist Khoi Tu -- a man who has advised Formula 1 champions and some of the world's leading companies -- the spirit of Ballesteros hung heavy over the European team.
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Europe's historic Ryder Cup comeback
Peter Hanson, center, and Francesco Molinari of Europe celebrate their team winning the 39th Ryder Cup on Sunday, September 30, in Medinah, Illinois. Europe produced the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history to defeat the United States and retain the trophy. See more of the best of CNN's photography.
Photos: Best of Ryder Cup
"The thing that Europe had -- distinct to the United States -- was the notion of playing for Seve, and teams are often at their best when playing for an idea," says Tu, whose book 'Superteams' will be published next month.
"I'm not sure the U.S. did a lot wrong. But since the contest was so close, the key differentiator could be the 'Seve' idea. After all, could the power and pulling together of the U.S. team match his story?
"Like most sports, golf is a combination of will and skill and at this level, the will is often more important than the skill.
"The differentiator here was Seve had played a role in all the European players' lives and would have meant something for many of them."
As Spaniards and fellow professionals, Olazabal and Ballesteros shared a strong bond before the latter's death last year.
On the course, the Spanish pair formed Europe's most dyanmaic Ryder Cup partnership (with 12 points gained from their 15 matches) and Olazabal ensured his late compatriot was never far from any of his team's minds this week by strategically placing his image on the players' clothing and bags.
With Justin Rose looking up to the heavens in triumph, Sergio Garcia suggesting that Seve 'was with me all day' after his win and Europe's star man Ian Poulter saying he owed his presence on the team to Ballesteros, Olazabal's unorthodox approach to captaincy produced compelling results.
The 46-year-old may have lacked the organizational ability of previous European captain Colin Montgomerie, whose side triumphed in another nail biting clash in Wales two years ago, but he compensated in other areas, says Tu.
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"Compared to Montgomerie, Olazabal was all about emotion -- connecting with individuals on a very visceral level," he said.
"Montgomerie was about thorough preparation and leaving no detail unturned in an attempt to ensure the players were given the best platform to produce victory.
"This year, people felt emotionally connected to Olazabal and his ability to translate that Seve factor was very powerful.
"His organization wasn't perhaps the best though, given what happened with Rory McIlroy," referring to the world No.1 nearly missing his tee-off slot on Sunday after confusing his time zones.
The Northern Irishman eventually made it onto the course just 10 minutes before he was scheduled to start thanks to a siren-wailing police escort from the team hotel to Medinah.
Despite that glitch, Tu believes Olazabal built a team where belief became an intrinsic value and where his man management skills produced inspired results.
"Olazabal did do some interesting structural things -- such as choosing Poulter as a wild card," says Tu. "Poulter has a brilliant Ryder Cup record and his infectious attitude will only ever amplify the belief in others."
Tu highlighted the way in which Martin Kaymer put a disappointing season behind him to emerge as the effective match-winner, as the German coolly sank a pressurized putt on the 18th to beat Steve Stricker and ensure that Europe retained the Ryder Cup.
"Teams play for a leader," says Tu. "The worst leader of Europe in recent times was 2008 captain Nick Faldo, who told Lee Westwood in the middle of a round that he would not be playing the next day.
"Compare that to Olazabal's management of Kaymer, who was not in great form coming into the tournament and who didn't play on the Saturday either.
"Somehow, Olazabal managed to turn a potential weakness into a positive, by stressing to Kaymer that his absence on Saturday was a sacrifice for the team's greater good.
"This would have liberated Kaymer -- and just look at the way both he and Stricker handled the pressure in their clash late on.
"A lot of small things combined to tip Europe into the belief they could win and as the scores came through, their momentum became unstoppable.
"This momentum helped Kaymer -- and so did the Seve influence, as he was playing with something beyond himself. Stricker saw the increasing blue on the scoreboard and began to feel the pressure.
"It's a fine line between that pressure either being turned into a positive or negative, but Stricker knew everyone was relying on him -- which became pretty tough pressure -- and the game just ran away from him."
Stricker's misery was compounded by the fact he was the only player among the two dozen involved who failed to win a point all week -- a statistic that history will not look kindly upon as Americans try to understand how they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
The Wall Street Journal is already debating this, with the newspaper pointing an accusatory finger at the decision by U.S. captain Davis Love III to select Stricker as one of his four wild cards.
"The better questions to ask might be how teams from Europe consistently pull rabbits out of their hats at these Ryder Cups. Europe has now won two in a row, five of the past six and seven of the past nine," the paper wrote on Monday.
"If it were just this U.S. team that lost when on paper it seemed to have the better players, the blame might be easier to assign. But that's not the case."
For Tu, the answer is simple.
"The Europeans were playing for each other, for their leaders and for a purpose -- Seve."
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Nicolas Colsaerts, left, celebrates with fans after Europe beat the United States on Sunday. The biennial competition pits the best pro golfers from the United States against their European counterparts.
European team captain Jose Maria Olazabal holds the Ryder Cup at the closing ceremonies on Sunday.
Martin Kaymer is mobbed by the European team after he made the winning putt on the 18th green on Sunday to cinch the Ryder Cup.
Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates making the decisive putt.
Martin Kaymer sets up the final putt on the 18th green.
Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates after Martin Kaymer sinks his putt on the 18th green Sunday.
Martin Kaymer putts on the final hole Sunday to secure Europe's win.
A U.S. fan high-fives Team Europe's fans after their Ryder Cup victory on Sunday.
Rory McIlroy of Europe greets Tiger Woods on the 18th green after Europe defeated the United States 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup.
Europe's Sergio Garcia, left, and Ian Poulter celebrate Sunday.
A European supporter watches the play during the singles matches on Sunday.
Justin Rose of Europe celebrates a birdie putt on the 18th green to defeat Phil Mickelson on Sunday.
Jason Dufner of the United States, left, shakes hands with Peter Hanson on the 18th green after Dufner defeated Hanson.
Davis Love III waits with some of his team on Sunday at the end of the singles matches.
Ian Poulter of Europe hits a shot from the rough on the 18th hole Sunday.
Europe's Francesco Molinari celebrates with his caddie, Jason Hempleman, on the 18th green Sunday after his match with Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods waits on a hole during Sunday's singles matches.
Fans reach for a golf ball Sunday on the 17th green.
Steve Stricker of the United States reacts to a missed putt on the 17th green as Martin Kaymer of Europe looks on during Sunday's competition.
Jim Furyk of the United States lines up a putt with his caddie, Mike Cowan, on the 17th green.
Lee Westwood of Europe, left, shakes hands with Matt Kuchar on the 16th green after defeating him Sunday.
Steve Stricker of the United States lines up a putt on the 16th green during a match Sunday against Martin Kaymer of Germany.
Keegan Bradley of the United States plays a bunker shot on the 14th hole on Sunday.
Luke Donald of Europe hits from the drop zone Sunday on the 13th hole.
A message of support for Team Europe is written in the sky during the Sunday's single matches. The United States started the day with a seemingly insurmountable 10-6 lead.
Graeme McDowell of Europe crosses a bridge during the singles matches on Sunday.
A U.S. fan watches the matches on Sunday.
Webb Simpson of the United States hits his tee shot on the 13th hole Sunday.
Luke Donald of Europe celebrates after saving bogey Sunday on the 13th green.
Martin Kaymer of Europe plays a bunker shot on the ninth hole Sunday.
Zach Johnson of the United States reacts to a shot on the ninth hole Sunday as Graeme McDowell, right, and his caddie, Ken Comboy, of Europe look on.
A U.S. team caddie wears patriotic shoes on Sunday.
Ian Poulter of Europe plays a bunker shot Sunday on the fourth hole.
Luke Donald of Europe watches his tee shot on the third hole Sunday.
Fans watch the play on the first tee during the singles matches of the Ryder Cup on Sunday.
Bubba Watson of the United States, left, greets Luke Donald of Europe on the first tee Sunday in Medinah.
Bubba Watson of the United States watches his tee shot on the first hole Sunday.
A sea of fans crowds around the first tee near the clubhouse Sunday.
Luke Donald of Europe plays a bunker shot on the fifth hole on Sunday.
Tiger Woods of the United States watches from the fairway on the first hole Sunday.
Tim Finchem, from left, Jack Nicklaus and Jeff Sluman watch the action on the first tee Sunday.
Keegan Bradley of the United States hits his tee shot on the first hole Sunday.
Rory McIlroy of Europe lines up a shot with his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald on the third tee on Sunday.
Team USA Assistant Captain Fred Couples stirs up the crowd during play Sunday.
Team Europe's Luke Donald tees off from the first hole Sunday.
Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates after making a birdie on the first hole Sunday.
European fans cheer at the start of the final day of play at the 39th Ryder Cup on Sunday.
Keegan Bradley rallies U.S. fans on the first tee at the start of the day Sunday.
Team USA fans cheer from the stands Sunday.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with Fred Couples, assistant captain of Team USA on Saturday, September 29.
Bush reaches to shake the hands of spectators at the tournament Saturday.
Tiger Woods of the United States scopes out a putt on the 17th hole during four-ball play Saturday.
Team Europe's Rory McIlroy laments a missed putt on the seventh hole during foursomes on Saturday.
Dustin Johnson of Team USA contemplates his next play on Saturday.
Webb Simpson of the United States waits in the fifth fairway with his caddie Paul Tesori on Saturday.
Team USA's Phil Mickelson, left, and Team Europe's Lee Westwood of England study the fifth green during a morning foursomes match on Saturday.
Ian Poulter of Europe lines up a putt on the 16th green on Saturday.
Tiger Woods of the U.S. hits his tee shot on the first hole Saturday afternoon.
Zach Johnson of American team reacts to a putt on the 12th hole on Saturday.
Webb Simpson of the United States plays a bunker shot on Saturday.
A crowd gathers at the 17th green on day two of the competition.
Sergio Garcia of Europe hits the second shot on the third hole on Saturday.
European fans watch the play from a golf cart during day two.
Keegan Bradley of the United States stares down a putt on Saturday.
A fan of the U.S. golfers watches the action.
Team Europe's Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits out of the eighth hole's tee box on Saturday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States drives with his wife Amy Mickelson on the 16th green.
Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates after holing a putt on the 12th hole Saturday.
Poulter and Justin Rose of Team Europe embrace after winning their match on Saturday.
Two U.S. fans watch the competition on Saturday.
Webb Simpson of the USA waits in the fifth fairway with his caddie Paul Tesori.
USA fans cheer on the first tee on Saturday.
Golfer Justin Rose of Europe lines up a putt on the first green.
A fan looks at a map on Saturday.
American Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot on the fourth hole as Lee Westwood of Europe looks on.
Graeme McDowell of Europe hits his tee shot on the first hole on Saturday.
Bubba Watson of the USA watches his tee shot on the second hole.
Keegan Bradley of the USA reacts after putting on the fifth green on Saturday.
A message is written in the sky in remembrance of Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros, who died of brain cancer last year, during day two of the competition.
Keegan Bradley of the USA hits out of the bunker on the 16th green after defeating Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell on Friday, September 28.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, right, jumps in the air while speaking with teammate Sergio Garcia of Spain, ssecond left, on the 10th fairway on Friday.
Americans Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson were paired in the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
McIlroy and McDowell walk across a bridge ahead of the gallery on Friday.
McIlroy reacts with dismay to his shot from the 10th fairway on Friday.
Fans watch the play on the 17th hole on Friday.
Peter Hanson of Europe plays a bunker shot on the second hole during the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
Tiger Woods of the USA reacts to a poor tee shot on the 15th hole on Friday.
European fans watch the actiion in flamboyant outfits on Friday.
Martin Kaymer plays a bunker shot on the third hole during the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
European fans get into the spirit during the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker line up a putt during the morning foursome matches on Friday.
Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell of Europe get a ruling on their ball on the 18th hole Friday.
Team Europe's Graeme McDowell chips onto the second hole's green Friday.
Fans watch during the morning foursome matches Friday at the Medinah Country Club.
Keegan Bradley of the United States reacts after putting on the 14th green Friday.
Team Europe's Graeme McDowell drives off the 15th tee Friday.
Luke Donald of England, left, and Sergio Garcia of Spain look over their putt on the sixth hole Friday.
Tiger Woods signs his glove for a fan who was struck in the head during his drive off the seveth tee on Friday.
Phil Mickelson plays a bunker shot on 10th tenth hole on Friday.
Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia of Europe line up a putt on the seventh hole on Friday.
Graeme McDowell of Europe watches a shot during the Morning Foursome matches of the Ryder Cup on Friday.
Phil Mickelson hits a shot on the fifth hole on Friday.
Keegan Bradley celebrates on the 15th green after he made birdie to defeat the team of Donald and Garcia during the Morning Foursome matches on Friday.
Rory McIlroy of Europe hits a shot onto the green on Friday.
Justin Rose of Europe celebrates on the fourth hole after a long putt at the 39th Ryder Cup Friday at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois.
Lee Westwood of Europe watches his tee shot on the first hole Friday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States kisses his wife Amy on the first tee Friday.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan waits on the first tee during the matches.
A fan of the European team watches the play.
USA fans cheer the players on the first tee Friday.
American golfer Tiger Woods chips on the first hole.
Steve Stricker of the United States hits a shot from the rough on the first hole.
Luke Donald of Europe hits his tee shot on the first hole.
Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia of Europe celebrate on the fifth green on Friday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a bunker shot during the fourth and final preview day of the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on Thursday, September 27.
A Team Europe supporter watches the action Thursday.
Dustin Johnson, left, and Tiger Woods of the United States laugh during a practice round Thursday.
Phil Mickelson, left, was paired with Keegan Bradley on Thursday.
Fans wait for autographs during Thursday's practice round.
Rory McIlroy of Europe kicks a PGA ball in between play of the practice round Thursday.
McIlroy takes a bow Thursday.
Miguel Angel Jimenez of Europe watches the play Thursday.
Ian Poulter of Europe stands over a ball in the fairway Thursday.
2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson, center, walks with U.S. teammate and U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson during a practice round Thursday.
McIlroy talks with vice captain Darren Clarke during the final preview day Thursday.
Zach Johnson, right, and Jason Dufner of the United States pratice putting on the 17th green Thursday.
Zach Johnson signs autographs for fans after finishing the 18th hole on Thursday.
Members of Team Europe practice Thursday.
Matt Kuchar chats with U.S. teammate Webb Simpson on the practice ground on Thursday.
Team U.S.'s Tiger Woods reaches for a golf ball on the practice ground on Thursday.
U.S. players Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson hit shots on the practice ground Thursday.
British fans wear their loyalties on their sleeves Wednesday, September 26.
Ian Poulter of Europe practices near his teammates' golf bags Wednesday.
U.S.'s Jim Furyk plays his approach shot to the 12th green on Wednesday.
A U.S. fan takes photos Wednesday.
Members of the U.S. team practice Wednesday on the 13th green at Medinah, outside Chicago.
Patriotism is on display across the course Wednesday.
Jose Maria Olazabal serves as captain of the European team for this year's Cup.
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