Duo aim to break new ground

One of France or the Netherlands will earn their first UEFA European Women's Championship semi-final after their last-eight tie at the Tampere Stadium.

• The Netherlands made a perfect start to their final tournament debut, beating Ukraine 2-0 in Turku; Kirsten van de Ven and Karin Stevens scoring in the first nine minutes. They then lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki's Olympic Stadium despite Van de Ven equalising with a solo effort but, only needing a draw against Denmark, Vera Pauw's side won 2-1 with goals from Sylvia Smit and Manon Melis securing second place in Group A behind the hosts.

• France began Group B by conceding a sixth-minute goal to Iceland's Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir but penalties either side of half-time by American-based pair Camille Abily and Sonia Bompastor turned the game before Louisa Nécib made it 3-1, which it stayed after Sarah Bouhaddi saved Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir's spot-kick.

• Les Bleues were then beaten 5-1 by Germany despite Gaëtane Thiney's consolation, but they only needed a point against Norway to ensure second place and although Lene Storløkken scored early on, Abily earned a 1-1 draw.

• That took France past the group stage for the first time having failed in all three eight-team tournaments of 1997, 2001 and 2005. They also lost a two-legged quarter-final 4-1 on aggregate to Italy in 1989.

• France defender Corine Franco and striker Candie Herbert suffered head injuries in the first half against Iceland and have not played since, though coach Bruno Bini has hinted that at least one is close to a return.

• These sides have met 22 times at senior women's level, with nine wins each and four draws, though France lead 29-24 on goals.

• Their most recent meeting was after both sides had qualified for this tournament, the Netherlands winning a 14 December 2008 friendly 2-0 in Compiegne with goals from Stevens and Chantal de Ridder. The victory was a triumph for Pauw's recently-introduced formation including two defensive midfielders, a tactic that has paid dividends in these finals.

• On 1 October 2007 in Almere, visitors France won 4-1.

• The pair were together in 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying. On 24 September 2005, in Pauw's first competitive game in charge, the Netherlands won 1-0 in France, a result that began an improvement in fortunes that has taken them to this stage. Les Bleues won 2-0 in Zwolle on 13 May 2006 but were to be pipped to the finals by England with the Netherlands third in the group.

• Those results mean that the last four games between these countries have resulted in away wins.

• They have met three times in European qualifying. In the 2001 edition, France drew 1-1 in Eindhoven and won 2-1 at home; on their way to the 1997 finals France drew 1-1 at home but won 2-1 away and ahead of the four-team 1987 event the Netherlands won 1-0 at home and 5-3 away but missed out behind Sweden on goal difference.

• The winners of this quarter-final will remain in Tampere to play Finland or England on Sunday at 19.00 local time (18.00CET).