The Dutch women's football team has reached the semi finals at the European Championships in Finland. They beat France in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The match was decided through a series of penalties as there were no goals scored during regular playing time or extra time.

It was a tense match, with Les Bleues establishing clear dominance from the start and the Dutch relying on their defensive power, with captain Daphne Koster and goalkeeper Loes Geurts in great form. The French created a few chances, but it was the Oranje team that could have clinched victory after 15 minutes of play when striker Manon Melis charged but her foray was thwarted by an excellent save from goalkeeper Céline Deville.

During the shootout, tension mounted to a virtually unbearable level. The Dutch “lionesses” failed to take advantage after two Frenchwomen hit the post. Taking the seventh penalty for Holland, Anouk Hoogendijk emerged three times lucky, clinching victory for her debuting team: 5-4.

“I hope this will eventually take us to the Queen”, the overjoyed matchwinner told TV reporters after the match. Hoogendijk was referring to customary celebrations in the Netherlands, whereby exceptional sporting performances are rewarded with a visit to the monarch.

And a place in the European semis certainly counts as an exceptional feat. The women outperformed the famous men’s team, who failed to make it to the European Championship semi-finals last year, after a 3-1 defeat against Russia.

“Our victory against France will have a great impact on women’s football in Holland,” Hoogendijk said.

The Dutch team will play England in the semi-finals. England beat host country Finland 3-2.