As for those who don't even have the consolation of a playoff spot, Serbia are possibly the biggest casualty losing their final match 1-0 in Slovenia where a win would have given them a playoff spot which has instead gone to Estonia.
The Baltic nation has punched well above their weight in making it through to next month's deciders ahead of Serbia and Slovenia, both World Cup qualifiers in 2010.
The only real controversy of the night came in Dublin where a handball decision went Ireland's way this time, Armenia's keeper seeing red for handliong outside the box. His hands were up, which was perhaps foolish, but he didn't look to have handled and to make matters worse, the Irish forward Simon Cox had handled the ball just prior to the incident, but the ref was unsighted to that one. Ireland took the spoils and took the playoff spot but Armenia emerge from this campaign with great credit.
Elsewhere Bosnia-Herzegovina were a mere 12 minutes away from qualification leading 1-0 in Paris thanks to Edin Dzeko, before Samir Nasri equalised from the spot to send France through.
Sweden took the honours as best runner-up by beating Holland and so are automatic qualifiers. This leaves the playoffs as follows:
Estonia v. Ireland
Turkey v. Croatia
Czech Republic v. Montenegro
Bosnia Herzegovina v. Portugal
That last one is a repeat of 2 years ago which Portugal won, which I feel is a harsh draw for Bosnia who were so close to qualification directly.
