Netherlands hold off spirited Switzerland

The Netherlands will contest the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final after resisting a strong second-half comeback from Switzerland to run out 2-1 winners in Grimma.

Comeback
The Jong Oranje appeared on course for a comfortable victory at the interval after goals from Shabir Isoufi and Luc Castaignos, but Switzerland dominated the second period. Janick Kamber reduced the arrears and in spite of heavy pressure, the Netherlands held on to secure a spot in Monday's final against Germany in Magdeburg.

Isoufi opener
Switzerland coach Dany Ryser stuck with the same starting XI that had gone through all three group-stage games unbeaten while Bob Schepers came in for Nygel Velder on the Netherlands left wing. After a cagy opening the Jong Oranje took the lead in the 18th minute following a spell of pressure. Schepers' deep cross was half-cleared to Oguzhan Özyakup who immediately fed Isoufi down the right. Top scorer for the Netherlands in qualifying, Isoufi showed exactly why by giving Benjamin Siegrist no chance with his shot into the far corner.

Switzerland chances
It was the first time Switzerland had trailed in the tournament but they responded positively. In the 26th minute a strong run from Granit Xhaka led to a corner which Charyl Chappuis headed goalwards, the ball scrambled off the line and away to safety. A minute later, Kofi Nimeley released Nassim Ben Khalifa, but Mats van Huijgevoort came across to make a vital block as the Switzerland No10 was about to pull the trigger. Xhaka then had a fierce drive beaten away by Patrick ter Mate, but the Netherlands still looked dangerous themselves and on the stroke of half-time, doubled their advantage. Schepers rolled a free-kick into the near post which Castaignos flicked on, the ball ricocheting off Siegrist's knees and looping in despite Chappuis's best efforts.

Kamber switch
Kamber had been one of Switzerland's most threatening attacking players in the group phase and, after being promoted to left midfield at the break, he met right-back André Goncalves' low cross only for Ter Mate to tip his close-range strike over. Not to be denied, Kamber continued to press forward and after picking up Xhaka's astute reverse ball, he rounded the Netherlands No1 and calmly slotted in.

Late surge
Castaignos and Isoufi both went close to restoring the Netherlands' two-goal cushion as the Swiss pushed forward, while at the other end Xhaka was a whisker away from levelling matters ten minutes from time when his free-kick was cleared off the line. The Group A winners' attempts were becoming more and more desperate and Roman Buess squandered a fantastic chance in the last minute of added time as the Netherlands held on.