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Women's Euros: Netherlands and Denmark progress

Jonathan Harding
August 3, 2017

The Netherlands overcame England to perhaps upset the odds, but delight the home crowd. Earlier, Denmark made history by reaching their first European Championship final, beating Austria on penalties.

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Fußball Frauen EM: Niederlande vs England - Halbfinale
Image: Reuters/Y. Herman

Netherlands 3-0 England
(Miedema 22', van den Donk 62', Bright o.g. 90+3')
De Grolsch Veste, Enschede

The Netherlands' dream of winning a home tournament continued as they overcame England in an entertaining semifinal.

A brilliant atmosphere accompanied a furious tempo, as the home side gradually grew stronger. To the delight of the large numbers of home supporters, Vivianne Miedema scored a brilliant header at the back post to give the Netherlands a deserved lead.

England, unperturb, nearly equalized two minutes later but Fran Kirby blazed over after Lucy Bronze had surged into the box. Two minutes after that, Jade Moore headed goalwards and Sherida Spitse could only deflected it clear via the post.

In the second half, Sibohan Chamberlain kept England in it and just as they appeared to have weathered the storm, the Netherlands doubled their lead. Fara Williams headed a high ball back towards goal, but Danielle van de Donk sneaked in behind a sleeping England defense to score.

As a record crowd for women's football in the Netherlands (27,093) watched, England fought desperately to find a way back into the game. Jodie Taylor had a great chanec to get England back into it within the final 10 minutes, but her effort was straight at the keeper.

The Netherlands progressed, to the delight of the home crowd. England followed up a semifinal exit at the 2015 World Cup with one in Europe two years later.

Euro 2017 Fußball EM der Frauen - Österreich vs. Dänemark
Austria paid the price for missing a penalty in the gameImage: Reuters/T. Kluiters

Austria 0-0 Denmark (0-3 on pens.)

Rat Verlegh Stadion, Breda

Austria a penalty in the game and then all three in the penalty shoot-out as Denmark reached  Puntigam blasted well over, Troelsgaard shot from just inside the box smashed off the bar in an entertaining and intense opening half.

The action was somewhat marred by two serious injuries. First Austria's Nicole Billa had to be helped off the pitch in tears after suffering a foot injury, before Denmark's Line Jensen suffered a painful knee injury and couldn't continue. Manuela Zinsberger made a good save at the near post to keep the Danish out, but both sides struggled to find a way through their opponent's defense.

Extra-time came and went, with Katrine Veje forcing another good save out of Zinsberger. Denmark continued to have better chances, but neither side could take a chance.

In the shoot-out, Austria's woes continued as they missed their first three penalties and never recovered.