BHUBANESWAR: Defending champions Belgium beat the last two editions' runners-up Netherlands in penalty shootout 3-2 to set up a summit clash against Germany in the FIH Men's World Cup on Friday.
Reigning Olympic champions Belgium and the Dutch were locked 2-2 in regulation time at the Kalinga Stadium.
The match between the oldest side, Belgium, and a young Dutch team was contested equally, but the more experienced defending champions ran away winners in the shootout.
Belgium have 11 players over 30 years of age, while the Netherlands have eight players below 25 and just two above 30.
The Red Sticks, who have come with almost the same set of players that won the Tokyo Olympics gold, are among the fittest and most experienced sides.
Star striker Tom Boon (27th) and Nicolas de Kerpel (45th) scored for Belgium in the regulation time while penalty-corner expert Jip Janssen (12th and 36th) struck a brace for Netherlands.
In the first semi-final, star drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat struck a second half hat-trick as Germany made a sensational comeback after being two goals down to beat Australia 4-3 and enter the final for the fifth time.
Peillat scored from penalty corners in the 43rd, 52nd and 59th minutes while 'Player of the Match' Niklas Wellen (60th) struck with just a few seconds left in the match to stun Australia, who squandered a 2-0 half-time lead in a dramatic semi-final.
Jeremy Hayward (12th), Nathan Ephraums (27th) and Blake Govers (58th) scored for Australia, who will now play for the bronze medal on Sunday.