Sunday 11 October 2015 12:00, UK
Wales manager Chris Coleman has described leading his country to their first major finals since 1958 as "an absolute dream".
His side were beaten 2-0 away to Bosnia but qualified for next summer's European Championships after Israel lost 2-1 at home to Cyprus, ending their hopes of automatic progression.
Wales will now head to France next summer, 58 years after their only previous major finals appearance at the World Cup in Sweden.
The Welsh needed one point from their remaining two fixtures going into the game, with their last match of the campaign against Andorra in Cardiff now set to the be the stage for a qualification party on Tuesday.
Coleman, the first manager since Jimmy Murphy to lead the Dragons to a summer tournament, told Sky Sports at the final whistle: "I thought we'd done enough to get something and I was gutted coming off, not knowing about results elsewhere.
"I can't explain how it feels and this lot here are unbelievable.
"It's an absolute dream. For the first time we got a bit flustered, defensively, but under the circumstances you can understand that.
"It means everything. We've all dreamed about this. We've nearly got there, nearly got there, nearly got there... and now we've delivered."
Coleman later admitted that it would take a while for the fact to sink in that he had led Wales to the European Championships.
"I've never been so happy to lose 2-0," he said. "I don't think we deserved to lose the game as Bosnia were getting frustrated and we didn't make the most of the good situations we got into.
"But when I was walking off I saw our supporters were singing and our secretary, Mark Evans, whispered in my ear that Israel had lost.
"So I was all smiles and I can't honestly describe how I am feeling, it probably won't sink in for a few days.
"We've waited so long for this and, for me, not just as a manager or as a player. I saw it so many times as a kid as well. We've missed out so many times, so to finally do it is an unbelievable feeling."
Coleman paid tribute to a squad which had not conceded a goal in open play until Vedad Ibisevic sewed up Bosnia's victory with a close-range strike in the final minute.
"We have nearly got there in the past, but we haven't delivered," he said.
"But these guys have done it and they deserve it. All the players of my generation and before me nearly made it to a major championship, but never did.
"This group have gone that extra yard. Their commitment to the cause from the start has been fantastic.
"We have only conceded four goals in nine games, two tonight, and that is a fantastic effort. They deserve everything that's coming their way."
Gareth Bale has been involved in eight of Wales' nine goals, scoring six with two assists, and Coleman said the Real Madrid star deserved the reward of playing at a major championship.
"The best players should be playing on the biggest stage and he is going to have that chance now," Coleman said.
"He's scored some incredible goals to make it possible but it's not just his ability, it's his attitude and his mentality towards playing for Wales.
"It's the same with Aaron Ramsey, they deserve to be playing against the best players and the best teams in the world and now they're going to have that chance."
Bosnia coach Mehmed Bazdarevic was delighted with the result which moved his side into the play-off place in the group, but he praised Wales for their performance.
"They did not come as a tourist, but to play well and pose us problems I would like to congratulate them on qualifying for the European Championship," Bazdarevic said.
Watch Wales v Andorra live on Sky Sports 1 on Tuesday from 7pm.
