Utrecht reach third final

Holders FC Utrecht reached a third successive Dutch Cup final with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory against second division Sparta Rotterdam after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Twente test
Having lost to AFC Ajax in 2002 and defeated Feyenoord last season, Utrecht will now face FC Twente in the final in Rotterdam. Twente booked their final berth on Tuesday night, defeating NAC Breda 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Ideal opening
Utrecht made the perfect start when Donny de Groot scored the opening goal after ten minutes. The home side missed the chance to draw level in the 35th minute as Utrecht goalkeeper René Ponk brought down Danny Koevermans but atoned for his error by saving Danny Schenkel's resulting spot-kick.

Quick turnaround
However, two quick goals from Koevermans, in the 60th and 64th minutes, turned the match in Sparta's favour, but Dave van den Bergh converted Sander Calabro's pass 12 minutes from time to take the match into extra time.

Extra-time drama
Sparta regained the lead six minutes into the additional period through Ricky van den Bergh, but Joost Broerse restored parity on the stroke of half-time. Neither side were able to find a winner, and Calabro converted the winning penalty in the shoot-out to send Utrecht through.