Holland 2 Argentina 2 aet (Holland win 4-2 aps)

Holland avenged their 2002 defeat in the World Cup final against Argentina when they qualifed for the final after winning a penalty shoot out 4-2 after the sides were level 2-2 after extra time. The Dutch will compete for the top prize for the first time since capturing the gold medal in Los Angeles in 1984.

In a tense and thrilling match, second half goals by Sylvia Karres and Mijntje Donners put the European Champions 2-1 up after Soledad Garcia shot Argentina ahead, but a late penalty corner conversion by Magdalena Aicega sent the contest to extra time.

China 0 Germany 0 aet (Germany win 4-3 aps)

Germany qualified for their first final since Barcelona in 1992 and set up an all European clash against Holland when they won a tense penalty shoot out 4-3 against China after the game ended in a stalemate after extra time. Under pressure for much of the second half, it took heroic defending by the Germans who held firm against a barrage of penalty corners.

As China failed to break the deadlock the Germans were always favourites to triumph in the penalty stroke tie-break.