The Netherlands and Ukraine reach European final

In reaching the semi-finals, the Netherlands and Ireland had scored a whopping 56 goals so a high scoring game was always on the cards.

The Netherlands and Ukraine will contest gold at the 2014 European Football 7-a-side Championships in Maia, Portugal, after both won thrilling semi-finals on Thursday (31 July).

Having lost to Ireland 1-0 in the group stages, the Netherlands scored a late winner to exact revenge and take a narrow 3-2 semi-final victory.

In reaching the semi-finals, the Netherlands and Ireland had scored a whopping 56 goals so a high scoring game was always on the cards.

The Netherlands were the quickest of the mark and took an early 16th minute lead through their captain Stephan Lackoff.

This advantage was doubled just seven minutes later thanks to a Lars Conijin strike.

Ireland were resilient, however, and soon pegged them back thanks to a strike by Dillon Sheridan just after half-time.

They then found themselves level through captain Garry Messet on the hour, and the momentum was in their favour.

But it was the Netherlands’ substitute Iljas Visker who was to become the hero, after only being on the pitch for seven minutes, he fired home his side’s winner.

The Netherlands who are gunning for their first European title will now face defending champions Ukraine in the final.

In a repeat of the London 2012 final, Ukraine squeezed past Russia, the Paralympic and world champions, in a thrilling penalty shoot-out.

Despite scoring 27 goals between them in the previous rounds, the two sides could not break the deadlock and the game finished 0-0, meaning penalties beckoned. Ukraine then scored all five from the spot to secure a 5-4 victory.

The final will take place on Saturday 2 August at 18:00 local time. Russia will face Ireland for bronze at 16:30 (local time).

For more information, visit the official tournament website.