[goldenHuddlestone]

Euro U-21s - Belgium joined the Netherlands in the semi finals of the European Under-21 championships at the expense of Portugal after a 2-2 draw. Portugal won their match against Israel 4-0 but finished group A on four points, one behind Belgium.

The Belgians took the lead through Kevin Mirallas, Maceo Rigters equalised, the Dutch took the lead with a Royston Drenthe free-kick while Sebastien Pocognoli levelled for Belgium.

Portugal, meanwhile, gave Israel a footballing lesson with a big win that was ultimately fruitless.

A strong Premiership connection brought them the goals they lacked in the previous, crucial rounds. Manuel Fernandes - on loan at both Portsmouth and Everton last season - Bolton's Ricardo Vaz Te and new Manchester United signing Nani all hit the target, with a Miguel Veloso added to the rout.

In the key game of the night, the Dutch started the brightest, Ottman Bakkal played through on three minutes but called borderline offside, and then the impressive Daniel De Ridder went on a great run and put in a super low ball to Ryan Babel, whose finish was straight at Logan Bailly, the Belgium keeper saving with his legs.

Belgium picked up where they left off against Israel with Sebastien Pocognoli going in hard on De Ridder, who flew up in the air theatrically but was ignored by Stephane Lannoy. This set the tone for a determined, aggressive performance from a side shorter on talent but high on spirit and organisation, as shown against Portugal in the group opener.

And Kevin Mirallas put Belgium ahead against the run of play when, on nine minutes, he nodded a superb right wing cross from Tom de Mul expertly past Kenneth Vermeer.

But the Dutch responded in typical style four minutes later when De Ridder got on the ball and flicked a deft ball into the path of Babel, who took a touch wide to the right before sliding a pass across to Maceo Rigters who finished low into the bottom left from just inside the area.

Marten Maartens stung the palms of Vermeer soon afterwards but the Netherlands continued to spread the ball about and patiently wait for openings, although Belgium were organised and disciplined in defence and hitting on the break, Maartens again going close with a long shot.

A corner saw a Bakkal header force a goal-line clearance from Nicolas Lombaerts on 27 minutes, the Dutchman paying for his efforts with a nasty cut above his left eye that needed treatment.

And the Dutch got their rewards for positive play when Royston Drenthe curled a free-kick in off the outstretched right hand of the culpable Bailly on 37 minutes.

The second half started with the Dutch fully in control, Belgium's nerves fraying further and further as group rivals Portugal went three and then four up against Israel soon after the restart.

The De Ridder - Babel combination almost bore fruit again when the former's low ball from the right almost finding the latter but Bailly alive to the threat at the near post.

Faris Haroun sent a looping header just onto the roof of the net just before the hour mark, just a reminder for the Dutch not to rest on their laurels, and a smart turn and shot on the edge of the box from De Ridder forced an excellent save from Bailly ten minutes later as the Netherlands regained their stranglehold on the match.

But Belgium got the equaliser and a goalkeeping error from Vermeer this time allowing Pocognoli's rising shot to squirm through his hands after the full back had surged through on the left wing.

Despite Portugal leading 4-0 at the time, it was Belgium who were going through at that moment, and both sides eased off although Bailly made a great late save from Bakkal to keep the scores level.