Ten-man Italy defied all the odds to beat hosts Holland in a penalty shootout and book a place against France in Sunday's Euro 2000 final.

The Italians were outplayed from start to finish during 90 minutes and extra-time but the Dutch made a hash of the spot-kick shootout and handed the Italians a fortunate place in the tournament's finale.

After Patrick Kluivert and Frank de Boer had missed two penalties during normal time, the Dutch were totally stunned when Frank de Boer, Jaap Stam and Paul Bosvelt missed their penalties and Dino Zoff's team were through.

And all that came after the 33rd-minute dismissal of Gianluca Zambrotta had put the Italians on the back foot. The result left a packed Amsterdam ArenA stunned.

The Italians will have to double their attacking intent against France if they are to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy as from the moment Zambrotta went off it was all Holland.

The Dutch, predicted by many observers to make a cagey start to the game, came out of the blocks like a flash.

The opening five minutes was marked by crisp, fast passes from the hosts who earned the first chance of the game when Phillip Cocu almost got on the end of Kluivert's pass but he could only lash the ball clear of Francesco Toldo's bar.

Dennis Bergkamp looked as sharp as any and the Arsenal man got onto the end of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's cross on 12 minutes but his weak header fell gently to Toldo.

Then Bergkamp brought the crowd to its feet with a superb run down the right which ended with his shot cannoning to safety off the Italian post.

Italy barely got a look in and Zambrotta and Mark Iuliano went into the referee's book for rash challenges as the frustration mounted among Dino Zoff's side.

The debate raging in the Italian newspapers all week was who would be Zoff's choice of striking partners. As it turned out Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi barely got a touch as the Dutch masterclass gave no hint of ending.

Zenden went into the referee's book for a blatant dive in the area when there had been clearly no contact from Iuliano.

Then Zambrotta committed the cardinal sin. There was little danger when Boudewijn Zenden burst down the left but the defender foolishly stuck out a leg and Zenden fell to the ground.

The Juve man had already been booked and the referee had little option but to give him his marching orders.

To add insult to injury, the Dutch were then awarded the most dubious of penalties.

Kluivert received the ball with his back to goal eight yards out and referee Markus Merk adjudged to have had his shirt tugged by Cannavaro.

But Toldo rose to the occasion and saved brilliantly from Frank de Boer's low, well struck shot.

Dutch frustration increased at the start of the second half with Edgar Davids joining the long list in the referee's book for a rash challenge on Demetrio Albertini.

The Italians seemed to be boosted by their numerical disadvantage and started to make a game of it.

Then Iuliano, like Zambrotta earlier, committed a reckless challenge just inside the box. Davids surged down the left and Iuliano's outstretched leg caught his Juventus team-mate on the edge of the box and the Dutch had their second penalty.

This time the honour fell to a nervous Kluivert and he stroked his spot-kick against the post and it was cleared to safety.

The ineffective Inzaghi was replaced by Marco Delvecchio as Zoff remained positive but with the clock ticking down, the golden goal and penalties were high in the Italian mind.

Delvecchio caused a nervous moment for the hosts when he burst clear five minutes from time but de Boer chased back and his block took the off the Roma striker's effort.

The Dutch were camped out in the Italian half for the first half of extra time. But again the best chance fell to Delvecchio.

The striker was again released and he burst clear of de Boer but his shot was well steered past the post by Edwin van der Sar.

Kluivert was inches wide with an effort in the second minute of the second period of extra time as penalties edged nearer and nearer.

Italian gamesmanship rose its head – time-wasting and diving seemed the order of the day as Zoff's side resigned themselves to holding out for spot-kicks.

Di Biagio made amends for his miss in the France 98 quarter-final against the hosts by lashing in the first for Italy.

Frank de Boer then had his second penalty of the day saved by Toldo and Holland were off to the worse possible start.

Gianluca Pessotto then made it 2-0 to the Italians with as cool a penalty as you'll see and Jaap Stam then fired over the bar and the Italians were all but home and dry.

Totti then scored a cheeky third before Kluivert pulled one back but Bosvelt's miss meant it was curtains for the hosts.