The Germans, chasing a fourth successive Euro title, beat France 3-0 to win Group A and become the only team entering the semi-finals with a 100 per cent record.

They are also, ominously perhaps, the tournament’s highest scorers and the only team not to have conceded a goal during the group stage.

Their goals against the French, for whom a draw would have meant qualification for the semis, came from Inka Grings, a Renate Lingor penalty and Sandra Minnert.

In Wednesday’s first of the two semi-finals Germany will meet Finland, who lost the opening game of the tournament to England but then drew with Sweden and beat Denmark 2-1 on Saturday to clinch the Group A runners-up spot.

Laura Kalmari and Heidi Kackur hit the goals for the Finns, who as Championship debutantes and the lowest ranked nation in the tournament are the surprise semi-finalists.

It’s no surprise, on the other hand, that Sweden are in the last four. Anna Sjostrom’s early goal against England on Saturday gave the Swedes a 1-0 victory and top spot in Group A, earning then a Thursday semi-final against Norway.

The Norwegians pipped France on goal difference for the Group B runners-up berth, their final group game ending in a 5-3 win against Italy - the only team to lose all three of their matches - with two goals by Lise Klaveness and one apiece from Marit Fiane Christensen, Solveig Gulbrandsen and Dagny Mellgren.

Norway meet Sweden at Warrington on Thursday, 24 hours after the Germans and the Finns clash at Preston North End. Both matches kick-off at 6.30pm.