Netherlands booked its place in the semifinals of the European Under 21 Championship with a 2-1 victory over Portugal at the Euroborg stadium on Wednesday.

Goals in either half were enough for the Dutch to complete its second victory in as many games in the tournament and even though Portugal got one back with 13 minutes to spare, the hosts had enough in their tank to see off any late threats by the Portuguese team to register the victory.

Portugal coach José Couceiro fielded a defensive line up in an attempt to contain the threat of Royston Drenthe from the left wing. However Drenthe had no problems in shrugging off the attentions of Amoreirinha and Ruben Amorim and played an important part in the Dutch victory.

Netherlands should have taken the lead early on in the game when Drenthe's cross wrecked havoc in the Portuguese penalty area, providing Ryan Donk with an open goal. However the AZ Alkmaar player touched the ball over the bar.

The Dutch took the lead in the 33rd minute when Portuguese keeper Paulo Ribeiro brought down Maceo Rigters in the penalty area. Ryan Babel coolly sent Ribeiro the wrong way to open his account in the tournament. Portugal came back strong into the second half and forced a number of saves from keeper Kenneth Vermeer, who replaced the injured Boy Waterman.

However it was the Dutch who scored again when Rigters slipped away from his marker to latch on to Drenthe cross. Two minutes later Portugal pulled on back through an exquisite free kick from Miguel Veloso, giving hope of a Portuguese comeback with over 13 minutes left in normal time.