Holland have beaten England 13-12 on penalties after the Under-21 European Championship Semi-Final ended 1-1 at the Abe Lenstra Stadion in Heerenveen on Wednesday and the game was taken to an epic penalty shootout which saw Gianni Zuiverloon become the new Dutch hero after sealing the final penalty.

A first-half goal from Reading FC striker Leroy Lita gave England the lead, but Maceo Rigters shattered England’s hopes of EURO glory, equalising for Holland in the 89th minute to take the game to extra-time.

Although Holland started the game strongly, with Royston Drenthe causing problems for the Three Lions' defence, England were the stronger team in the first-half, dominating possession over the hosts.

Stuart Pearce’s team were rewarded with their hard work in the 38th minute with a goal from Leroy Lita.

An excellent flick on from David Nugent, gave Lita space to turn Oranje defender Ron Vlaar to shoot home on the volley past Dutch keeper Boy Waterman.

Holland came out slowly for the second-half, with Lita almost doubling the score less than five minutes into the second-half, but his free-kick was unlucky to ricochet off the post and away to safety, much to the relief of the stranded Dutch keeper.

The home-side began to get into the flow of the game and towards the end of the second period they were the team in control and laid the England goal under siege.

With just a minute to play in the second-half, Holland levelled the score with a stunning overhead strike from Maceo Rigters.

Steven Taylor received an ankle injury, which gave the chance for Holland to attack. Ryan Donk broke free on the left of the penalty area, heading it across goal, with Rigters shooting past the injured Stephen Taylor in the England goalmouth to take the game to extra-time.

Extra-time saw Holland pour forwards in pursuit of a winning goal, with England down to 10-men after Nedum Onuoha was forced off through injury.

With England manager Stuart Pearce having used his three substitutes, England had to endure extra-time with only ten men, one of which – Steven Taylor – was carrying an ankle injury, and the Dutch took full control of play.

Despite tremendous pressure from the home-side, and with some good saves from Scott Carson keeping England in the match, England somehow managed to hold on to take the game to penalties.

Both teams missed one penalty in their first five shots, taking the shootout to sudden-death.

With the penalty shoot-out level at 7-7, Holland manager Foppe de Haan controversially came onto the pitch to force injured England defender Stephen Taylor to take a penalty, which he eventually stepped up to score and take the tally to 8-7, but it wasn't over yet.

The next miss was from Matt Derbyshire, while the shoot-out was level at 12-12, but De Ridder, who had another chance to put the home side into the final, had his shot saved by Scott Carson.

Anton Ferdinand missed the next penalty for England, hitting the keepers right post, with Oranje defender Gianni Zuiverloon smashing the ball past Scott Carson to take the home-side to the Final of the EURO 2007 Under-21 Championships.

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