Media playback is not supported on this device Highlights: Netherlands crowned European champions

The Netherlands won their first major women's international tournament after a thrilling victory over Denmark in the Euro 2017 final on home soil.

Denmark led through Nadia Nadim's early penalty but the Dutch soon levelled as Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema tucked in.

Lieke Martens put the hosts ahead with a precise 20-yard finish, but Denmark's Pernille Harder slotted in to equalise.

Dutch captain Sherida Spitse blasted in a free-kick to make it 3-2, and Miedema sealed a historic triumph late on.

Surprise finalists Denmark had pushed for another equaliser late on, as Sanne Troelsgaard went close with a swerving half-volley which dipped past the right-hand post.

But the Dutch, backed by the majority of a sold-out 28,182 crowd in Enschede, never looked in serious danger of conceding again and put the game beyond the Danes when Miedema scored the fourth.

It sparked a party atmosphere inside the FC Twente Stadion where virtually every home supporter was wearing the national team colour of orange.

An emotional Miedema appeared to be in tears in the final few seconds of the match, before the stadium erupted when the final whistle was blown.

No stopping the Netherlands

The Netherlands had never reached the final of a major tournament, with their previous best performance coming when they reached the semi-finals of the 2009 European Championships.

They were not among the pre-tournament favourites, but once France and holders Germany - who were going for a sixth successive title - had been eliminated, they built on the momentum created with the support of their fans.

The Dutch had won all of their games at the tournament leading up to the final, conceding just once in five matches, and beating England in the last four.

Watched by Dutch football legends Marco van Basten and Louis van Gaal in the stands, the home side produced a professional display to fight back against a Denmark team they had already beaten 1-0 in the group stage.

After going behind, the Netherlands started to find their rhythm midway through the first half and eventually showed their superiority.

Martens named best player as Taylor finishes top scorer

The Netherlands won all six of their matches at Women's Euro 2017

The Netherlands are only the fourth different nation to win the women's European Championships, after Germany's 22-year reign ended.

Joint-captains Spitse and Reading's Mandy van den Berg, who came on as a substitute in the closing stages, lifted the trophy amid joyous celebrations for the host nation.

It was not the only prize won by the Dutch, with Barcelona winger Martens being presented with the official Player of the Tournament award after a series of dazzling displays on the left flank.

However, the Golden Boot was won by England's Jodie Taylor.

Arsenal's Taylor finished as the tournament's top scorer with five goals, although Arsenal striker Miedema could have levelled by scoring a hat-trick against the Danes.

Analysis - 'Dutch are a pleasure to watch'

Rachel Brown-Finnis, ex-England goalkeeper:

This is the perfect ending, having the hosts win it, after they created so much momentum with their fans watching them.

They've been absolutely stunning. The way that they play the game is with so much energy, so much enthusiasm and so much interaction with the crowd.

The speed and the power, and the way they flood players forward, with the quality of the likes of Jackie Groenen, Miedema, Danielle Van de Donk, Martens - the list goes on.

They have been a pleasure to watch and they are deserved champions.

Player of the Match - Miedema

Vivianne Miedema netted four times in the three knockout rounds

Denmark captain Harder worked tirelessly and was a constant threat but, with two clinically-finished goals, imaginative movement and some world-class hold-up play, new Arsenal signing Miedema was the deserved Player of the Match, scoring for the third game in a row.

The former Bayern Munich star would have had a hat-trick to savour, but for Danish keeper Stina Lykke Petersen's magnificent reflex save to keep out her far-post volley in the second half.

What they said

"It was an open match," Netherlands coach Sarina Wiegman said. "There were two teams who really wanted to play football.

"A match with six goals, that's very important for women's football as well."

Striker Miedema added: "We've played six amazing games and today we showed that even if we get behind in a game we can still change the game.

"The moment we scored for 3-2, I just thought 'it's not going to go wrong again'.

"We played so much better in the second half and we deserved to win the tournament."

Denmark boss Nils Nielsen said: "The Dutch team was the best team in the tournament.

"It's not easy to play at home. It's so easy to disappoint everybody, but they didn't, they performed so well.

"I am very, very proud of my own team. We have had so many problems and they kept fighting right until the end."</s>By The Associated Press

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (AP) — The Netherlands beats Denmark 4-2 to win women’s European soccer championship for first time.

Copyright © 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>(AP Photo/Patrick Post). Denmark's Nadia Nadim kicks a penalty during the Women's Euro 2017 final soccer match between Netherlands and Denmark in Enschede, the Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017.

(AP Photo/Patrick Post). Danish Crown Prince Frederik, center back ground, stands on the tribune during the Women's Euro 2017 final soccer match between Netherlands and Denmark in Enschede, the Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017.

(AP Photo/Patrick Post). Goalie Sari van Veenendaal of the Netherlands celebrates after Vivianne Miedema of the Netherlands kicks their side's first goal during the Women's Euro 2017 final soccer match between Netherlands and Denmark in Enschede, the N...

(AP Photo/Patrick Post). Dutch soccer fans wave a flags during the Women's Euro 2017 final soccer match between Netherlands and Denmark in Enschede, the Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017.

(AP Photo/Patrick Post). Vivianne Miedema, number 9, of the Netherlands celebrates with teammate Lieke Martens after she scores her side's fourth goal during the Women's Euro 2017 final soccer match between Netherlands and Denmark in Enschede, the Neth...

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (AP) - Striker Vivianne Miedema scored twice Sunday as the Netherlands beat Denmark 4-2 to win its first Women's European Championship title and set off a huge party among thousands of orange-clad fans.

The success of the Dutch women's team is in stark contrast to the country's men, who failed to qualify for last year's European Championship in France and is struggling to reach next year's World Cup in Russia.

It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Denmark, which knocked out six-time defending champion Germany in the quarterfinals and reached its first final after losing five previous semifinals.

The game started well for the Danes, when striker Nadia Nadim - a former refugee from Afghanistan whose father was killed by the Taliban - converted a sixth-minute penalty after Kika van Es clumsily brought down Sanne Troelsgaard in the area.

The Dutch fans did not have to wait long for their team to draw level.

A long ball by midfielder Jackie Groenen launched right winger Shanice van de Sanden and her low cross was met by Miedema for her third goal in as many matches in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Left winger Lieke Martens, named player of the tournament after the match, put the Dutch ahead in the 28th when she drifted into the center, turned a defender and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen.

Five minutes later, Denmark was back on terms at 2-2 when captain Pernille Harder overcame the Dutch offside trap and then beat Sari van Veenendaal at her near post with a well-placed shot.

Captain Sherida Spitse restored the Dutch lead after the break with a free kick that rolled wide of the wall and into the corner. Miedema, who had been criticized for not scoring in the group stage, sealed the victory in the 89th with her second goal of the final.

The frenetic match was played in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 28,000 fans, including Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik, at FC Twente's stadium in the eastern city of Enschede. Also in the crowd was Marco van Basten, the star of the Dutch men's team that won the 1988 European Championship.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Either tournament hosts the Netherlands or Denmark will end Germany's 22-year grip on European football when they contest the Women's Euro 2017 final at De Grolsch Veste in Enschede on Sunday evening.

The Dutch hold a distinct home advantage and illustrated the power of their support en route to a 3-0 hammering of title favourites England on Friday, while the Danes defeated Austria on penalties following a 0-0 stalemate.

This will be the Netherlands' first appearance in a women's European Championships final, with manager Sarina Wiegman's side set to beat their previous best finish, when they reached the semis in 2009.

Denmark have made it to the semi-finals in four of the last eight tournaments and even won the tournament's equivalent in 1979—when it was made up of only 12 teams—after finishing runner-up 10 years prior.

Read on for a preview of the Women's Euro 2017 final, complete with breakdown of all the essential live-stream information and how you can tune into the action.

The Netherlands may have been the home outfit but were nonetheless seen as underdogs for their clash against England on Friday, which made their 3-0 demolition of the Lionesses all the more shocking a result.

Vivianne Miedema's header across goal opened the scoring for the Oranje before a woeful Fara Williams header set Danielle Van de Donk up for a second, and Millie Bright's late own-goal compounded England's defeat.

Austria and Denmark's clash, on the other hand, was a duller encounter that ended with the latter pummelling an inaccurate opposition 3-0 in a penalty shootout to book a maiden Women's Euro final appearance.

Miedema is the Netherlands' joint-top scorer in the competition with two goals—three behind the tournament's current goal leader, England's Jodie Taylor—but De Donk also had cause to celebrate following Friday's win:

On paper, it looks likely the Netherlands will be the aggressors in Sunday's duel considering they topped Group A with maximum spoils, which included a 1-0 victory over Denmark.

Not only that, but the one goal they conceded during the group stage remains the only goal they've leaked in the competition so far, and OptaJohan explained defender Anouk Dekker's input in progressing to the final:

The Danish haven't been without their own resilient results, however, and the Netherlands were the only team to score past them in the first phase, leaking a second to Germany in the quarter-finals.

Football blogger Tim Stillman pointed out Denmark's deficiencies during their narrow victory over Austria on Friday, a weakness they won't be able to show against the Oranje if they're to emerge triumphant on Sunday:

The Women's European Championship will usher in just its third champion in Enschede, with Norway having won the 1993 competition and Germany accounting for the seven other titles distributed in its current format.

Denmark may have more experience advancing to the latter stages of the tournament, but the Netherlands' recent form suggests we may witness a home triumph if they can maintain their current trajectory.</s>Vivianne Miedema scored twice as hosts Netherlands beat Denmark 4-2 to win the women's European Championship. Check out some of the best moments from the final.</s>It was a historic day for the Netherlands, who defeated Denmark in the Women's Euro 2017 final, winning 4-2 at De Grolsch Veste in Enschede, the Netherlands, on Sunday.

The hosts fell behind when Nadia Nadim scored from the penalty spot in the opening minutes, but they soon equalised through Vivianne Miedema.

The Dutch then grabbed an advantage, as Lieke Martens made it 2-1, but the Danes were back on level terms 12 minutes before half-time, with Pernille Harder expertly finishing.

Sherida Spitse made it 3-2 on a free-kick shortly after the restart, Miedema completed a brace in the closing stages, and the Netherlands were deservedly crowned European champions.

The match got off to a frantic start, as each team found the back of the net in the opening 10 minutes.

Netherlands fans were silenced when Denmark took the lead after just six minutes, as Sanne Troelsgaard was tripped in the box. Nadim was calm as she stepped up to the penalty spot, and she comfortably beat goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.

The early goal ignited a reaction from the home fans, who created a huge noise as they cheered their side back into the match. The Dutch were back on level terms only four minutes later, and the stadium was bouncing after Miedema scored at the far post. Shanice van de Sanden's pace was too much for the Danes, and she assisted with aplomb to help her team level.

The action was manic and continuous, and four goals followed in what turned out to be the most entertaining game of the competition.

Barcelona attacker Martens once again had the crowd on its feet, curling the ball home for the Netherlands. She let the ball roll across her body on the edge of the box and swung her shot into the far corner.

But Harder took her chance just five minutes later, attacking the penalty area and driving a low shot past Van Veenendaal. The captain proved to be one of the stars of the competition, as the Dutch could not control her with the ball at her feet in the first half.

In the second half, though, Spitse rolled a free-kick past the wall and into the bottom corner. The fans created an electric atmosphere as the players ran to the touchline to celebrate with vigour.

Denmark struggled to move through the gears in the second half, and the Netherlands back four pushed up and squeezed, forcing the Danes to operate in their own half of the pitch. Denmark seemed to lack the intensity needed to match their opponents, and the game began to slip away from them.

It was left to Miedema to wrap up the victory, and the striker was cool as she made it 4-2 as the clock ticked down to the final whistle.

The Netherlands were certainly the best team at the Euros, and they deservedly claimed the title on home soil. The victory marked the first time the Dutch have won the competition.</s>Two goals from Vivianne Miedema inspired Netherlands to a pulsating 4-2 Euro 2017 final victory over Denmark, who led through Nadia Nadim.

Hosts Netherlands claimed UEFA Women's Euro 2017 glory in thrilling fashion with a 4-2 final victory over Denmark at Twente Stadion.

Vivianne Miedema was the hero on Sunday, starring with a brace in a pulsating contest, in which Denmark drew first blood thanks to Nadia Nadim's sixth-minute penalty.

Arsenal forward Miedema provided a swift response and Lieke Martens of Barcelona netted from 20 yards out before the half-hour mark to put Oranje ahead.

Denmark captain Pernille Harder slotted home to ensure it was honours even at the break but Netherlands hit the front once more, as skipper Sherida Spitse dispatched a free-kick beyond goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen.

Miedama had the final word with a fine solo effort before the final whistle sparked joyous celebrations.</s>Soccer Football - England v Netherlands - Women's Euro 2017 - Enschede, Netherlands - August 3, 2017 Netherlands players celebrate at the end of the match

(Reuters) - Host nation Netherlands swept England aside 3-0 on Thursday to reach their first Women's European Championship final and set up a showpiece encounter against Denmark.

The Dutch took the lead in the 22nd minute as Vivianne Miedema rose to head home Jackie Groenen's pinpoint cross from the right wing, as England struggled in the absence of influential midfielder Jill Scott due to suspension.

England went close to equalising minutes later but Netherlands captain Sherida Spitse turned Jade Moore's header from a corner onto the post, with the ball eventually bouncing away to safety.

Danielle van de Donk doubled the Dutch advantage in the 62nd minute, pouncing on Fara Williams's headed back pass and deftly lifting the ball over the despairing dive of England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain.

England peppered the Dutch penalty area with long balls and went close to scoring on several occasions, but they could not find the goal that would get them back in the game in front of the partisan sell-out crowd.

Lieke Martens had the final say, firing home a deflected shot deep into injury time to give the Dutch a measure of revenge for their 2009 semi-final loss to England and set up a mouth-watering tournament decider on Sunday.</s>Striker Vivianne Miedema scored twice Sunday as the Netherlands beat Denmark 4-2 to win its first Women’s European Championship title and set off a huge party among thousands of orange-clad fans.

The success of the Dutch women’s team is in stark contrast to the country’s men, who failed to qualify for last year’s European Championship in France and is struggling to reach next year’s World Cup in Russia.

It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Denmark, which knocked out six-time defending champion Germany in the quarterfinals and reached its first final after losing five previous semifinals.

The game started well for the Danes, when striker Nadia Nadim a former refugee from Afghanistan whose father was killed by the Taliban converted a sixth-minute penalty after Kika van Es clumsily brought down Sanne Troelsgaard in the area.

The Dutch fans did not have to wait long for their team to draw level.

A long ball by midfielder Jackie Groenen launched right winger Shanice van de Sanden and her low cross was met by Miedema for her third goal in as many matches in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Left winger Lieke Martens, named player of the tournament after the match, put the Dutch ahead in the 28th when she drifted into the center, turned a defender and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen.

Five minutes later, Denmark was back on terms at 2-2 when captain Pernille Harder overcame the Dutch offside trap and then beat Sari van Veenendaal at her near post with a well-placed shot.

Captain Sherida Spitse restored the Dutch lead after the break with a free kick that rolled wide of the wall and into the corner. Miedema, who had been criticized for not scoring in the group stage, sealed the victory in the 89th with her second goal of the final.

The frenetic match was played in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 28,000 fans, including Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, at FC Twente’s stadium in the eastern city of Enschede. Also in the crowd was Marco van Basten, the star of the Dutch men’s team that won the 1988 European Championship.

For all the latest Sports News, download Indian Express App</s>Striker Vivianne Miedema scored twice Sunday as the Netherlands beat Denmark 4-2 to win its first Women’s European Championship title and set off a huge party among thousands of orange-clad fans.

Long after the final whistle and award ceremony, the players – many clutching bottles of Champagne – danced through the corridors of the FC Twente stadium chanting “Champions!”

The success of the Dutch women’s team is in stark contrast to the country’s men, who failed to qualify for last year’s European Championship in France and is struggling to reach next year’s World Cup in Russia.

Netherlands coach Sarina Wiegman said she hoped the victory and success of the tournament on home soil would promote the game among Dutch girls and prove a platform on which to build greater success for the women’s team as it prepares to start qualification for the World Cup later this year.

It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Denmark, which knocked out six-time defending champion Germany in the quarterfinals and reached its first final after losing five previous semifinals. A penalty shootout win over Austria after extra time in the semifinals left the Danes looking tired in the second half, allowing the Dutch to control play.

The end of the German reign as European champion after more than two decades at the top is a sign that the game is improving across the continent, Wiegman said.

“Germany was champion and nobody else could get close,” she said. “Today we changed that. Actually Denmark changed it and we continued today.”

The game started well for the Danes, when striker Nadia Nadim – a former refugee from Afghanistan whose father was killed by the Taliban – converted a sixth-minute penalty after Kika van Es clumsily brought down Sanne Troelsgaard in the area.

“Sometimes you can’t choose what you want. You just get it,” said Nadim, who fled Afghanistan after her father’s death and settled in Denmark. She now plays for the Portland Thorns in the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League.

The Dutch fans did not have to wait long for their team to cancel out Nadim’s opener.

A long ball by midfielder Jackie Groenen launched right winger Shanice van de Sanden and her low cross was met by Miedema for her third goal in as many matches in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Left winger Lieke Martens, named player of the tournament after the match, put the Dutch ahead in the 28th when she drifted into the centre, turned a defender and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen.

Five minutes later, Denmark was back on terms at 2-2 when captain Pernille Harder overcame the Dutch offside trap and then beat Sari van Veenendaal at her near post with a well-placed shot.

Captain Sherida Spitse restored the Dutch lead after the break with a free kick that rolled wide of the wall and into the corner. Miedema, who had been criticized for not scoring in the group stage, sealed the victory in the 89th with her second goal of the final.

“It was tough at the start, but then things started going well,” the forward told Dutch broadcaster NOS. “Today the first half was so chaotic, Denmark was good, and it was fantastic that we could show in the second half that we can play good football.”

The frenetic match was played in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 28,000 fans, including Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, at FC Twente’s stadium in the eastern city of Enschede. Also in the crowd was Marco van Basten, the star of the Dutch men’s team that won the 1988 European Championship.

Nadim, who overcame so much to reach the final, said she was disappointed with the loss, “but maybe in a week or so we can be proud of our performance and happy that we won a silver medal, but right now it feels like we lost a gold medal.”
In the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 Final, the Netherlands beats Denmark 4–2 for their first UEFA Women's Championship title.