Denmark beat Austria 3-0 on penalties to reach the Euro 2017 final, following a tense goalless draw in which Austria’s Sarah Puntigam missed a first-half spot-kick. It will be Denmark’s first European Championship final having fallen at the semi-final stage on five occasions since the tournament’s inception in 1984.
Austria began on the front foot in Breda and their pressure told in the 12th minute when Maja Kildemoes clumsily conceded a penalty. However Puntigam, who scored the winning spot-kick in the quarter-final shootout against Spain, fired her penalty high over the bar and into the Austria fans.
From there Denmark found their footing with Sanne Troelsgaard hitting the bar from the edge of the box 15 minutes later. As half-time approached, Austria were dealt a further blow when Nicole Billa was carried off on a stretcher and in visible pain.
A cagey second half followed as Denmark tested Austria’s defence with a series of corners and free-kicks delivered into the box, attempting to use the strong winds blowing around the Rat Verlegh Stadion to their advantage, but the European Championship debutants held firm.
Denmark had the better of extra-time but penalties felt inevitable, and when they came the Danes did not disappoint. The goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen took the plaudits, making two saves to clinch victory.
