Women's final completely open after thrilling draw in Wagener Stadium

Amsterdam struck first in the first final match. After both teams mostly tested each other in the opening quarter, Katerina Langedijk broke the spell in the second quarter. The attack started with Felice Albers, who ripped open the Bossche block with a long rush from her own half and served her teammate at the far post: 1-0. Den Bosch was already pressing in that phase, but repeatedly hit goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal.

After the break, the momentum turned. Den Bosch stepped up the pressure and came alongside via Joosje Burg. The striker tapped in the 1-1 draw from a penalty corner, which was also Den Bosch's 500th official goal under coach Marieke Dijkstra. Yet it was Amsterdam that took the lead again. Once again Felice Albers was at the basis, this time with an acceleration across the back line after which Fay van der Elst headed in the 2-1.

Bosch corners
But Den Bosch refused to budge. The record champion again dragged out several penalty corners in the final quarter and equalised through Romee Joosten. Her rebound from a corner determined the final score at 2-2, leaving neither team travelling to the return with a lead.

Thus, the tension heading into Monday is at a maximum. Amsterdam proved at home that it can hurt Den Huizen, while the Boschians showed why they have been so hard to beat in finals for years. One match remains. Ninety minutes away from the bowl - or more, if shoot-outs prove necessary.