Julia Sonntag proved the German hero as Die Danas made it through to their tenth women’s EuroHockey Championship final with a shoot-out win over Belgium.

She kept out a trio of Red Panthers’ efforts while Sonja Zimmerman, Jette Fleschütz and Lena Micheel all scored for a 3-2 success after normal time ended 1-1.

Ines Wanner put Germany in front in the third minute, scoring just her second international goal with a powerful drag-flick.

After that, the Red Panthers dominated the play, attacking in waves and pressing the Germans into their own 23-metre zone.

Julia Sonntag made an outstanding save with her feet to keep them one in front and they rode their luck up to half-time.

The third quarter was more even with Germany recovering their composure and picking off key interceptions to counter-attack at speed. Elodie Picard did well to deny a one-on-one chance with Lena Micheel to keep the deficit at 1-0.

Belgium, meanwhile, eventually got their equalising goal with nine minutes to go from a nicely worked penalty corner, Alix Gerniers getting the lightest of touches to chip the ball over the goalkeeper and off the defender on the line into the goal.

They survived a final minute corner, sending the game to shoot-out where the Germans prevailed.