Martin Olsson started his first match in the UEFA Under 21 Championships for Sweden, but it was England who triumphed in a dramatic semi-final in Gothenburg.

It had all started so well for England in a stunning first half for Stuart Pearce's side, when goals from Cranie, Onuoha and a Bjarsmyr own goal put them firmly in command.

But in an equally stunning second period it was the host nation who hit three goals of their own, a brace from the tournament's leading goalscorer Marcus Berg and his partner up front Ola Toivonen completing an amazing comeback.

England were reduced to ten men in extra time when Campbell saw red but they managed to hold on to penalties, but for once it was the team with three lions who triumphed 5-4 from the spot.

After two substitute appearances, Olsson, playing in a more advanced role on the left side of midfield, started the game and was one of Sweden's better performers in the Gothenburg sunshine, but it was at the back that the host nation struggled in the first half.

Less than a minute was on the clock when England went in front. James Milner's corner was cleared as far as Martin Cranie who hit the ball low towards goal, Gabriel Agbonlahor may have got the final touch as the ball nestled in the back of the net.

With Sweden temporarily down to ten men due to a head injury England took full advantage with a repeat of the first minute goal. Milner again with the corner and this time it was Nedum Onuoha who turned inside the area to fire home from close-range.

The Swedes had claims for a penalty kick when Martin Olsson went down in the area, but the Rovers man's claims were waved away.

It got worse for the home side just before the break when from yet another set-piece, Sweden goalkeeper Johan Dahlin punched the ball away, Onuoha centred from the right, Cattermole got a flick to deceive Mattias Barsmyr who sliced the ball in the back of his own net.

As Sweden looked to find some way back into the game, Olsson was perhaps unfortunate to be one of those sacrificed at the break as the home side looked for a way back into the match.

But England looked to be coasting in the second half, however with just over twenty minutes remaining the Swedes were finally given something to cheer. Olsson's replacement Guillermo Molins centred from the right and Marcus Berg was on hand to find the corner of the net for his sixth goal of the tournament.

Suddenly their tails were up and on 75 minutes Toivonen curled a wonderful free-kick past Joe Hart. Then the comeback was complete on 81 minutes when a cross from the right was cleverly cut back for Berg to fire home.

Neither side could grab a fourth goal in regulation time, meaning extra-time was required, then it got worse for England when Fraizer Campbell was sent off. Marcus Berg went close to getting his hat-trick bur he struck the crossbar, England held on for penalties.

James Milner and Marcus Berg both missed their spot kicks but as everyone else converted theirs it went to sudden death and when Guillermo Molins saw his penalty hit the post it meant England were through to a final.

They will play Germany in the final in Malmo on Monday night after they defeated Italy 1-0.