Nielsen headed home a cross from the right-hand side seven minutes from time to give the outsiders a 2-1 win over a German side which had not lost a match at the tournament since 1993.

The quarter-final clash was due to take place last night but torrential rain forced the match to be rescheduled to today.

Olympic champions Germany looked as though they would keep their pursuit of a seventh consecutive title alive when Isabel Kerschowski fired home an early opener. 

Denmark had other ideas, however, and equalised through Afghan refugee Nadia Nadim's header early in the second half.

The Scandinavian team looked the more likely to score a second and it came thanks to Nielsen, who took her chance superbly to put her side in front.

Germany went in search of a leveller but Denmark held firm as the Olympic gold medallists lost just their third European Championships match in the event's 26-year history.

Denmark will take on debutants Austria in the last four after they beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time at the Koning Willem II Stadion in Tilburg.

In the first quarter-final, played last night, the host nation overcame Olympic silver medallists Sweden 2-0 at the De Vijverberg in Doetinchem.

Lieke Martens' low free-kick broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute before Vivianne Miedema doubled their advantage in the second half.

Miedema was fouled by Jessica Samuelsson but managed to bend the ball into the corner to seal victory 22 minutes from time.

The Netherlands will go up against England in the semi-finals after they edged France 1-0 at De Adelaarshorst in Deventer.

England had not beaten France in a competitive international for 43 years but Jodie Taylor's goal on the hour mark, her fifth of the tournament, was enough to give her side a narrow victory.

Both semi-finals are scheduled to be held on Thursday (August 3).