Swedes in best runners-up spot, while Nasri spares France

Sweden came from behind to beat the Netherlands 3-2 last night to book their place at Euro 2012 as the qualifying competition’s best runners-up.

The Dutch had already qualified, winning nine qualifiers on the trot to secure top spot in Group E.

Kim Kallstrom put Sweden ahead when he curled a free kick into the top corner after 14 minutes, only for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to equalise nine minutes later.

Dirk Kuyt headed the Dutch into the lead five minutes into the second half but Sebastian Larsson levelled with a penalty two minutes later and Ola Toivonen, who plays for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, sent Sweden through three minutes after that when he sidefooted home a rebound from Johan Elmander’s shot.

Samir Nasri’s second-half penalty sent a nervy France into the Euro 2012 finals after a 1-1 home draw against Bosnia, who had to settle for a play-off place following their Group D decider.

France began the final qualifier a point ahead of the Bosnians and needing at least a draw to qualify automatically for next year’s finals.

The hosts trailed to Edin Dzeko’s strike five minutes before halftime and needed a 78th minute spot kick to secure a draw at the Stade de France. Nasri was tripped by Emir Spahic on the edge of the box and the midfielder clinically scored from the spot to spare France the ordeal of another play-off.

Slovenia beat Serbia 1-0 in Group C qualifier to deny the visitors a place in the play-offs, which instead goes to Estonia, for the first time in the Baltic nation’s history. The result left Serbia, who missed a penalty in the match, third in the group on 15 points, one behind Estonia who finished their campaign on Friday with a 2-1 win in Northern Ireland.

Italy, who had won the group and qualified automatically with two games to spare, finished top with 26 points after a comfortable 3-0 home win over Northern Ireland.

Needing a win to leapfrog Estonia, the Serbs - who will rub shoulders with Scotland during 2014 World Cup qualifying - threw men forward from the kick off but were downed by a freak goal from Dare Vrsic on the stroke of halftime.

The midfielder floated a free kick from 40 metres into the penalty area and the ball bounced over the line off the underside of the bar after it caught keeper Bojan Jorgacevic stranded, too far off his line.

Meanwhile, Wales – who are in also in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying group – continued their good form under manager Garty Speed when Gareth Bale scored the only goal to seal a 1-0 win over Bulgaria in an almost deserted Vasil Levski stadium.