EURO B remains up for grabs after Ryan Keating’s try nine minutes from time saw NETHERLANDS edge home 28-22 against UKRAINE on Wednesday.
Ukraine beat Serbia in the opening game of the competition but now await the outcome of Saturday’s final match in Belgrade between Serbia and the Dutch.
Another Netherlands victory will see them crowned champions, while Serbia will need to win by more than 27 points to retain the trophy.
Netherlands held a six-point lead going into the break after tries from prop Daniel Niumata, influential half Damon Koolstra – who finished with twelve points through a second try and two goals (Rick Baats also kicked twice) – and Paul Kuijpers.
Ukraine also scored five tries, through Rhys Sciglitano, Oleksandr Skorbach, Mitchell Beggs-Mowczan, Taras Kolisnyk and Oleksandr Fomiuk, but only one was converted by Skorbach.
“It’s a frustrating result because we were capable of winning,” said Ukraine head coach Dan Beardshaw.
“Incomplete sets and some poor decisions put us under pressure. It’s incredibly difficult to win an international match when you only complete one in the first half.
“I’m incredibly proud of the character of the side, but we’ll now have to wait for Saturday’s result.”
Netherlands coach Jason Havenaar said: “I could not be prouder. They showed incredible strength and resilience through adversity and fought for 80 minutes.
“This is a game the whole team will remember for a long time and credit goes to Ukraine for that. They are an amazing team and only getting better.
“We now regroup, handle our injuries and get ready for Serbia.”
