After five semi-final defeats, Denmark are through at last to their first European Championship final thanks to their goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen, who saved two penalties in their 3-0 shootout win over Austria yesterday.
Simone Sorensen scored the crucial kick after the Austrians had missed their first three penalties.
The match in Breda finished goalless after extra time, though Denmark had enjoyed two-thirds of possession. The Danes nevertheless struggled to break through Austria’s organised defensive system and were repeatedly met by a wall of four midfielders lying deep in front of a back five.
Austria should have opened the scoring after 13 minutes. Maja Kildemoes handled the ball in the area but Sarah Puntigam, who had scored the winning penalty in the shootout against Spain, smashed her attempt over the bar. It proved to be an omen for what would happen two hours later.
On the half-hour mark, a superb Danish counterattack released Theresa Nielsen down the right, but her ball inside was weak and off-target. All too often, it was the final ball that hindered Denmark at key moments.
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The nearest that they came to scoring was through Sanne Troelsgaard, whose clipped, curling shot hit the bar after 20 minutes.
After half-time, Denmark continued to have the run of play and they might have scored had it not been for Manuela Linsberger, who shone in goal for Austria.
In extra time, it was all Denmark. Katrine Veje had three good chances, while Pernille Harder headed wide from a corner with one of the last plays of the match. As it was, it did not matter.
The Danes held their nerve from 12 yards out, scoring three out of four penalties, while Austria missed all of theirs, and they will now take on the Dutch hosts in Sunday’s final.
