Birmingham City – Norwich City

Nerves jangling, fingernails bitten, millions of pounds riding on the game - Soccernet brings you live commentary on the highest stakes game in English football. Join us at 3.30pm BST.

No Iwan Roberts for Norwich. He'll start from the bench. Steve Bruce, a former Canaries player, picks the same team that shocked Millwall.

Graham Barber will take control of this game. Blues kick off. The ball's launched out by Geoff Horsfield.

Birmingham have the ball. But again it's hoofed out by Michael Johnson.

Holt sweeps up after Drury runs into Clint Easton. We're under the covers at the Millennium Stadium. Blues give the ball back.

Now Holt picks up a knock. Mackay robs Horsfield when the big man had a chance to shoot. Holt, running well now, fouls Devlin.

Grainger will hit with his left....

He fires over. It wouldn't dip down.

Green takes the restart. Blues win a throw. They've dominated possession.

John is tackled well by Drury. Both teams look nervous but Birmingham looking more attack-minded.

Mulryne is nervous with his touch. The Canaries could do with some composure. Kenna releases Mooney. Mulryne gets back to tackle.

John holds off Holt to play in for Hughes. He fires wide of the Norwich goal.

Nilsen can't flick the ball on. Kenton tackles Mooney. Poor pass from Fleming is intercepted and Hughes has another effort.

It goes wide. Drury passes it to McVeigh. His touch is far too heavy. John fires a long ball for Horsfield. He holds off Kenton and flings an arm at him.

He's let off a booking by referee Graham Barber.

Tebily beats Mulryne. Hughes again looks lively but loses the ball. He gets it back and forces a throw.

Grainger launches it. Devlin wins a corner.

No it's a throw. Kenton whips it off Horsfield's toes. Rivers breaks and forces a corner off Tebily. First Norwich corner.

It's hit too long by Easton. Norwich tackle back and Kenton whips a great cross. Everyone misses it. Canaries attacking at last.

But here's Hughes. He puts Stern John through unmarked. He tries to hit it with the outside of his foot and misses. A great chance.

Kenton crosses wih McVeigh lurking. Keeper Vaessen catches.

Nilsen is offside for Norwich. Kenna fires in only for Green to claim. He releases Rivers, who goes at Grainger. Vaesen claims the cross.

Through ball for Nielsen. Johnson gets confused and the Dane gets in. He fires wide. Chances at both ends.

Mooney at the other end. He can't beat Kenton. The Canary plays a give and go with Nielsen but can't reach the through ball. Game played at break-neck pace.

John flicks on for Hughes but the bounce takes it to Robert Green. Straight away (puff, pant, puff, pant) Mooney fires wide from a ridiculously long-range. It's well wide.

Now McVeigh. Great skill to outfox two defenders. He fires over.

Holt fades past Blues' defence. His cross is headed out by Johnson. He gets back to foul Stern John.

John himself is the recipient of a flick-on from Horsfield. He smashes it over rather hastily.

Kenna's cross finds Horsfield. He claims he was pushed and handles the ball. Not playing to the whistle.

Nielsen's cross flicked away for a corner. Mackay threatens and the ball is behind for another.

Tebily clears. Rivers' cross is claimed with ease by Vaessen.

Mackay muscles John off the ball. Grainger clatters Rivers. It's determined stuff out there.

Horsfield backs into Mackay. Again.

Norwich pass the ball around nicely. But Horsfield gets the ball. He gets into the Norwich box. Mackay tackles him. Penalty claim? Turned down.

A decent shout for Blues. At the other end Rivers threatens but Vaessen palms out. Infringement means there's a stoppage.

Blues attempt to build an attack. They remain calm but Holt sweeps up for Norwich.

Nielsen found space at the end of the Blues' area. His ball can't find McVeigh. Now Rivers shoots. It's miles over.

Nielsen is held. Norwich choose to play it calm. Vickers heads out a Rivers cross.

Mulryne is calm in midfield. Mooney breaks but Easton has the ball. He plays it McVeigh. His shot is disappointing.

Easton's cross headed out. Blues under heavy pressure. John is fouled by Mackay.

Nielsen looked to be fouled but no says referee Barber. Now the Canaries have a free-kick.

Lovely ball from Mulryne. Rivers controlled well and Mooney clears. Good tracking back from the former Watford man.

Norwich play keep-ball. Then Johnson fouls McVeigh.

Devlin on the burst. Then Easton tackles well. Norwich have their tail up in this game. They need a goal.

Rivers is played in. Grainger tackles hard. Free-kick from the left of the area to Norwich.

Too shallow. The ball is hit out. Then Nielsen finds space in the area but there's a flag waving.

Nielsen is again offside as McVeigh tries to link with him.

Tebily passes it to Kenna. The ball is crossed into Green's hands.

Horsfield is angry at the referee again. He's let off rather surprisingly.

Holt breaks up another attack. He surges forward, beating three players. Rivers gets the ball after Holt is stopped. His ball is crossed to Easton, who panics and fires wide. The best chance of the game.

Horsfield gets a better chance straight away. His shot is saved at point-blank range by Green. What a save from him. Brilliant stuff from both sides.

Green takes a free-kick that ends the half. He's the hero of the half after that save.

Breathless half, great football, great keeping. If the shooting had been a little better then it could have been 4-4 already. Norwich the better side but Blues have found openings. Join us for the second-half.

We're underway again. Holt gives the ball away as Blues mount an attack immediately.

Kenton bursts down the right. Mooney runs him out of it but concedes a corner.

Easton's kick lands in Vaesen's hands. Poor delivery.

Tebily gets space at the edge of the area. Green spills the shot wide and for a corner.

Drury hacks it clear after Johnson's header.

Two good opportunities for Blues. But now Kenton on the burst. He passes back for McVeigh, Vaesen tips over. It's end-to-end once gain.

Holt wins the ball. He beats Grainger who brings him down. Both players are down. Holt's knock looks serious but the Iron Man is up. Grainger stays down as he's just about to be booked.

Grainger limps off. He may need replacing. Free-kick to Norwich.

Headed back across by Mackay. Kenton heads in. Mackay fights for it but can't win a corner.

Holt finds McVeigh. His ball is intercepted and though Horsfield breaks, Norwich win it back.

Nielsen fouls Johnson. Both teams showing tension and fight. Supporters' voices fill the stadium.

Birmingham corner....

Flicked back for Mooney. He fires against a Norwich defender. Corner again.

Cleared. Horsfield down the left channel. He concedes a throw.

Hughes thought he'd won a corner. Graham Barber didn't.

Hammered out for Holt and Nielsen to sweep up. Rivers across the area. He fires in but the deflection evades a Norwich foot.

Blues attack again. Norwich clear but Horsfield, this time, wins a free-kick. Grainger will hit....

Straight into the wall. He chips back in but John fouled his defender. Easton breaks from the kick. He fires over.

Kenton does well. His ball just bisects Easton and Nielsen.

But after great enterprise from Holt and Mulryne, Nielsen wins a corner. Vaesen collects again.

McVeigh does well. But Mulryne fires a cross straight at Vaesen.

Stern John is stopped by Kenton, who covered well.

The some great skill by Horsfield. He beats Drury and finds space but shoots wide.

John seemed to be baulked by Mackay. But nothing doing.

Drury gave it away to Devlin but then gets back well to concede a corner.

Johnson heads at Green. His throw releases Kenton. He squares it to Easton but his ball finds McVeigh offside.

Devlin can only cross at Mackay. Norwich do well but McVeigh's ball wide is poor.

Game becoming more stretched now. Vickers slides in on McVeigh to concede a free-kick.

Bottles on for the players. It's thirsty work for them and <i>Soccernet</i>.

Birmingham will bring on Stan Lazaridis for Mooney as Nielsen gets a free header. he can't direct it goalward.

Green on safari as the ball bounces on the edge of the area. Fleming cleared but his keeper's not happy.

Steve Vickers seems to have a problem. He limps off. And Darren Carter, just 18, will replace him.

Lazaridis blams a cross miles wide. Green will take a goal-kick.

Hit long for Nielsen and Tebily smashes his shin, The Dane will be OK.

Less vigour in the play now. Nerves jangle as the last fifteen minutes dawn.

Horsfield goes down injured. Blues have problems.

The crowd are audibly nervous - less songs ringing out.

Norwich have a throw on the edge of the box.

Now they have a corner. Better delivery required.

Mackay on the back post. Vaesen claims but was fouled.

Green flapped at the ball. Holt bailed him out but Norwich can't break quickly enough.

Horsfield is stopped from reaching a flick. Less flow in the play at present.

Who can be the hero? Someone needs to stand up and be counted.

Kenton does well to intercept. Lazaridis is run out by Holt, who has not stopped running all day.

Horsfield again penalised. Norwich to hit it long.

Stern John got on the end of a Carter flick.

He fired wide. Norwich struggle to kill their attack. Easton concedes a free-kick.

Devlin launched a great shot. It went over as Green flailed at the ball. Unlucky for the Blues.

Hughes fires at Kenton. Birmingham enjoying the better of things. Lazaridis wins a corner.

Devlin wins another as Driry tackles him.

Mackay clears after a melee in the box. Another corner.

Tebily gets the ball via a couple of miss-hits. Holt came across him and the former Celt fired over.

Now Norwich have a corner. Iwan Roberts can threaten but Vaesen, who's caught everything, does well.

McVeigh found space. His cross can't find Roberts at the back post. Kenton then runs out Lazaridis in the corner.

Time ticks on.....Horsfield breaks. But Fleming chases him all the way back and it's another corner.

It's cleared by Easton. Horsfield again finds space at the back post but fouled. We're in extra-time. Two minutes to be added on.

Notman replaces Rivers at right wing. Norwich try to break quickly. Notman gets a great cross in...Roberts looms...but then Kenna heads away. Last ditch stuff. The corner is caught again.

The ref blows. We're into 30 minutes of extra-time. Tense? Nervous? Can't relax? Neither can anyone associated with these two clubs.

We're back in action in Cardiff. There's plenty to come surely.

Notman gets down the wing. He feints and crosses for Roberts. The big man heads back across Vaesen and Norwich have a foot in the Premiership!!!

Stern John has a chance. He fires straight at Green.

Plenty of time for Blues to get back into it. Mackay heads away. McVeigh comes away with the ball.

Delia Smith looks nervous in the crowd. Karren Brady looks downcast.

But there's plenty of time. Blues look downcast themselves. Roberts threatens again but he gave away a free-kick.

Notman came away to head a ball out for a corner.

Roberts chases out the corner. Norwich play keep ball. But Easton's chip finds Tebily's head.

Birmingham need to lift themselves. Hughes is intercepted. Holt sweeps up again. Norwich determined. Easton gives the ball away again.

Carter threads it wide. Grainger bends one in and Green claims it easily.

Norwich defending deeply and are a tough nut to crack for Blues. They've got a throw in an attacking position.

They play it safe, passing it around, before McVeigh is found offside.

Horsfield backs into Holt. Norwich can clear the ball.

Darryl Sutch set to be brought on. Holt slides in on John and passes. He's penalised though.

McVeigh's star has fallen since the early exchanges but he's had a great game for the Canaries.

Long free-kick is headed back across the area by Stern John. Horsfield seizes on it. Green nearly keeps it out but can't keep it out. 1-1!

It's going to the wire. Norwich need to start playing again. Blues surely have the psychological edge.

Kenna down the right of the area. He slides a ball across the area. John and Horsfield both miss it.

Free-kick to Norwich. It'll be aimed at Roberts.

Lazaridis looked to be through but he's offside.

The first-half is over. Another fifteen minutes to go. Penalties loom for Norwich.

The teams change over. Fifteen minutes of hell for both teams.

Notman looks to be fouled but Blues break. Kenton does well to stop Horsfield.

A foul on Mulryne gives both teams some respite.

Green will hit it long. Easton chips in for Roberts but Vaesen again does well.

Easton gives Notman a chase. Sutch slides in on Tebily.

Steve Bruce belts out instructions from the coaching area. He must be tense.

Sutch down the right but the ball's given away. Blues give it away too. Tired legs and minds. Especially mine.

Roberts hauled over by Tebily. Free-kick.

Mulryne will flip it.

Vaesen claws it over with the ball headed goalward. Great football from both teams.

Corner results in a Mackay foul. Andy Johnson will replace Geoff Horsfield for Blues.

Dogged defending by Mackay. But Devlin breaks. Drury gets the ball away. Blues pressure is intense. Easton does well.

Carter slid in on Drury and caught him very late. Roberts is brought down. Mulryne will swing one in.

Mackay couldn't get there. The tension really beginning to mount for the fans.

Johnson does well to win a free-kick from Easton. This will be bent in for the big guns.

Grainger's kick off. Johnson heads off the post! Another corner. A cavalry charge misses the second and Holt sweeps up.

Norwich attack. After a fine passing move, Easton fires a shot wide. A waste.

Blues try to mount one last attack but referee Barber blows for agony. £40m shoot-out is upon us.

Who can be the hero? Who will be the villain? Somebody has to be. I'm nervous. Are you?

Plenty of milling around as the kickers are chosen. Birmingham have been here before. For Norwich it's unchartered territory.

The toss is made and the penalties will be at the Birmingham end. Shades of last season when they lost out to Preston in the play-off semis.

Vaesen and Green hug. They've got little to lose. Iwan Roberts will take the first for Norwich.

He scores, sending Vaesen completely the wrong way. 1-0 Norwich.

Stern John for Birmingham......

Green goes the right way but John scores in the bottom left. 1-1.

Mulryne is next for Norwich.....

Vaesen guesses right. It goes down the centre and the Dutchman saves. Still 1-1.

Devlin now for Blues....

Right-hand corner and in! 2-1 Birmingham.

Darryl Sutch to take now.....

He rolls it wide. Poor penalty. One must hit the target. 2-1 Blues.

Lazaridis to take....

Sends Green the wrong way. Blues on the brink of the Premiership. 3-1

Easton will take now....

He scores. Vaesen got a hand to it. 3-2.

Carter, just 18, to take....

And he puts Birmingham City in the Premiership!

Great nerve from the local boy. Rapturous scenes of celebration from the Birmingham fans. Sorrow on the faces of the Norwich fans.

Jasper Carrott and ELO's Jeff Lynne must be happy but Robin Ashton, Chris Borg and Mike With, Soccernet's thoughts are with you. There's always next year.

But for Birmingham this is their dream achieved. Years of hurt healed by one spot-kick. And the club will take their place in next season's Premiership.