Waterman's night to remember

Netherlands goalkeeper Boy Waterman described Wednesday's penalty-shoot out victory against England as "unforgettable" after saving three spot-kicks and scoring one to help book the Jong Oranje's place in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final for the second year year in succession.

Sweet success
It needed 32 penalties to separate the two sides with the hosts prevailing 13-12 after a 1-1 draw at the Abe Lenstra Stadium. "This is an unforgettable evening, you wouldn’t be human if you forgot something like this," Waterman told uefa.com. The victory was particularly sweet for the the 23-year-old who had spent most of his career here with SC Heerenveen before joining AZ Alkmaar on loan last season.

'Special'
"Playing at the Abe Lenstra is very special," said Waterman, who had been doubtful before the match because of a back injury. "I know most of the people here. It's my stadium. I played here for six years, so this is fantastic. The fans support was really terrific. At a certain point when it became difficult they stuck behind us and that gives you that little bit of extra energy you need. I have not stopped that many penalties before. I know I can do it and talked a lot with [coach] Louis van Gaal about it in the short period I have been with AZ. He told me to stand for as long as possible and only react to what they do. You are still tempted to dive to the corner you think they will shoot for, but I managed to stay on my feet just long enough."

For Royston
England took an early advantage in the shoot-out when Royston Drenthe fired his first penalty against the post, but Waterman made sure that miss was not decisive by blocking Justin Hoyte's effort three strikes later. After the save Waterman gestured to Drenthe. "It was something like, 'This one's for you Royston'. I knew I had to stop one penalty, but I could not imagine I would stop three in a crazy 32-penalty shoot-out. I even had to take one myself. I was surprised by how cool I actually was in the full stadium, but I did it."

Slalom run
After Gianni Zuiverloon had fired in the winning penalty, Waterman made a beeline for the stands to celebrate with his parents. His team-mates, however, had other ideas. "After it was over I ran in a slalom to avoid my team-mates to get to the stands where my parents were, but after avoiding six of them, the seventh finally brought me down," Waterman said with a smile. "It was a really exciting match, but that's what the people come for. It may have cost us physically, but in return you get a mental boost, so it will not be a problem for the final. We are now so close to the finish we have to win that as well. But that's what [Serbia] will be thinking as well so it will be an exciting game again."