Victory at the German city's GETEC Arena sets up a penultimate-round clash with defending champions Norway, who beat a previously undefeated Russia side 34-17 at the same venue. 

The match will be a repeat of the 2015 final, which Norway won 31-23.

Despite leading 17-16 at the midway point of today's match, the Dutch did not properly get into their stride against the Czechs until the second-half.

Angela Malestein got on the scoresheet in the 51st minute to put them 25-24 ahead and they were never caught again.

"The first-half was very good for us," Netherlands' coach Helle Thomsen said. 

"Maybe it wasn’t the best handball, but it was a good fight."

Today's other semi-final saw holders Norway go on a scoring rampage with a total of nine players contributing to their tally.

Half of the 34 goals were shared between Nora Mork and Stine Oftedal, whose performance earned her the player of the match award.

Norway's win goes some way towards avenging their semi-final defeat to eventual gold medallists Russia at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

Their last-four encounter against The Netherlands is scheduled for Friday (December 15).

It will precede the other semi-final between Sweden and France.

Both matches are set to take place at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg.

The final and third-place play-off are due to be held at the same venue on Sunday (December 17).