HOLDERS Ajax ruthlessly shrugged off a shock deficit to reach the European Cu final in Athens last night, dashing the hopes of Greek champions Panathinaikos with a 3-0 win.

Finnish striker Jari Litmane set the Dutch on their way by netting the opener after just four minutes, levelling the tie 1-1.

Louis van Gaal's men never gave their opponents a chance of completing the job as they patrolled their own half with iron resolution, then broke swiftly down the flanks through Nwankwo Kaau and fellow Nigerian Finidi George.

Panathinaikos were caught cold by Litmanen's early close range strike and rarely threatened up front where Polish hitman Krzysztof Warzycha cut a forlorn figure as the Dutch defence cut off the Greek supply line to him throughout.

Spiros Maragos came close midway through the first half, curling a free kick just over the bar as the Greeks fought to get back on level terms in front of a 74,000 crowd at the Olympic Stadium.

Yorgos Donis, reportedly a transfer target for Manchester United, sparked Panathinaikos best moves down the right only for the Ajax defence, superbly marshalled by Frank de Boer and Danny Blind, to choke off anything which came their way.

But Litmanen struck again to effectively end the contest 13 minutes from time and substitute Nordin Wooter rounded off an impressive if unspectacular win with four minutes remaining.

In the other semi final Juventus striker Gianluca Vialli killed off their semi final against Nantes with an early goal in their 3-2 victory.

Vialli, 31, chested down a Ciro Ferrara mistimed overhead kick and galloped into the six yard area to score with the outside of his right. foot in the 17th minute.

Eric Decroix equalised for Nantes, Paulo Sousa put Juventus ahead once more, before Chadian international Japhet N'Doram equalised a second time for Nantes. Franck Renou hit Nantes winner eight minutes from time.

However Juventus' 2-0 lead from the first leg means they go through to the final in Rome on May 22nd. But Vialli's early goal was the significant strike as it meant Nantes had the unlikely task of scoring at least four to go through.

Initially it appeared as though Nantes Eddy Capron had equalised with a firm header two minutes before the break. But, it was later ruled the ball had been stopped on the line, and defender Decroix had in fact hit home the rebound from 11 yards.

Five minutes after the break, Portuguese import Paulo Sousa made sure of Juventus place in the final. Sousa, fed by Vialli, found the net after finding himself one on one with goalkeeper Dominique Casarande.

N'Doram made the most of a defensive mistake to hit Nantes' second equaliser in the 69th minute. Ferrara's poor clearance saw the ball knocked back towards the Juventus area, and N'Doram raced through, scoring left footed in off the post.

Then striker Franck Renou hit Nantes' winner on the night in the 82nd minute, but it was mere consolation over the two legs.