Substitute Jill Scott headed the winner in the 116th minute to spark wild celebrations.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Everton and whose nickname is "Crouch" because she has adopted the Tottenham striker's robotic celebration, bundled the ball past the despairing grasp of Dutch goalkeeper Loes Geurts from close range before a crowd of 4,621.
 

It means England will contest the final on Thursday in Helsinki against either reigning champions and favourites Germany or Norway, who battle it out in the second semi-final tomorrow.

England's only previous appearance in the final came in the inaugural tournament in 1984 when they lost to Sweden.

Hope Powell's team had taken the lead in the 61st minute when Kelly Smith, who plays for Boston Breakers in the United States, scored her 36th goal for the Lionesses.

But only three minutes later England were stunned when Marlous Pieete equalised for the Dutch.

England piled on the pressure after that but the Dutch held on to take the match into extra-time and it was only four minutes away from going to penalties when Scott put her side into the final.

Coach Powell said: "If I'm honest, I think we were the better team but better teams have played and lost and certainly played and lost in this tournament.

"We knew how they would set up and their system is very, very frustrating to play against, but it works for them and they stuck very well at it.

"Fortunately, we were patient.

"We missed a few chances that perhaps we might have scored, but the main things is we got there in the end - in the very end.

"I'm just really delighted it's over and we can look forward to the next game."

Smith, who was voted the player of the match, said: "We're absolutely delighted.

"We're thrilled to be in the final. I thought it was a great team performance by us tonight.

"Credit to Holland, they made it very difficult for us.

"We knew how they were going to set up and at times it was frustrating for us with them having ten players behind the ball, but our patience showed tonight."