Netherlands will be making its second appearance in the final of the European Under 21 Championship in as many years after winning a pulsating contest against England at the Abe Lenstra stadium on Wednesday.

Both the teams were unable to score a winning goal in normal time and extra time, taking the match into the penalties. Over 32 spot kicks were needed to decide the winner, with Netherlands emerging victorious, winning the shootout with a margin of 13-12.

England very nearly managed to bump off the defending champions and hosts by taking the lead in the 39th minute when Leroy Lita managed to fend off Ron Vlaar before sliding in David Nugent's header to score his third goal of the tournament.

Lita very nearly scored a second goal, hitting the post from a free kick after Vlaar was booked for fouling Ashley Young from breaking free. The Dutch started to press forward in search of an equalizer and keeper Scott Carson had to be alert to deny Hedwiges Maduro's shot in the 58th minute, while Steven Talyor blocked Rigters' rebound effort.

With time ticking away, it looked like Stuart Pearce's side had done enough to confirm its place in the final, but were left heart-broken when Rigters managed to score just a minute before normal time.

With Taylor down injured, England were a man less in the box and Ryan Donk took full advantage of the situation to cross the ball to Rigters who managed to hit an overhead kick to score his third goal of the campaign.

Having already used up all of its substitution, England was forced to play with an injured Taylor for the rest of the game and matters to a turn for worse when Onuoha limped off the pitch due to an injury, leaving England with just 10 men on the pitch. However they somehow managed to hold off Netherlands and take the game into the penalties where they once again managed to come out as losers.