Bosnia lose 3-2 to Sweden but secure Nations League play-off spot and favourable EURO qualifying position

Sweden claimed victory at Strawberry Arena after building a commanding 3-0 lead before half-time. Bosnia responded with two goals after the break and created several opportunities to equalise, but the hosts held on to secure first place in Group B4 and direct promotion to League A.

Despite the defeat, Bosnia secured second place after Romania beat Poland 2-1. The result leaves Bosnia on eight points, four ahead of Poland, who can no longer catch them with one round remaining.

The Dragons will therefore compete in the promotion play-offs for League A in March 2027.

Sweden punish Bosnia's disastrous start

Sweden took the lead in the fifth minute when Svensson headed home a cross from the right.

Bosnia almost responded immediately. Esmir Bajraktarevic found Haris Tabakovic in an excellent position, but goalkeeper Viktor Johansson produced a superb save to deny his close-range header.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 11th minute after Stjepan Radeljic fouled Viktor Gyökeres inside the penalty area. Italian referee Simone Sozza awarded a penalty, which Gyökeres converted.

Sweden appeared to have scored a third goal in the 23rd minute through Alexander Isak, but VAR ruled it out for offside.

Bosnia enjoyed more possession as the first half progressed but struggled to create clear opportunities.

Barbarez's side suffered another setback in the 38th minute when Tabakovic was forced off through injury and replaced by Ermin Mahmic.

In first-half stoppage time, Sweden were awarded a second penalty following Sead Kolasinac's foul on Svensson. Gyökeres converted again, giving the hosts a 3-0 lead at the break.

Bosnia fight back but fall short

Bosnia returned for the second half with renewed determination and reduced the deficit almost immediately.

Armin Gigovic scored in the 47th minute to make it 3-1, giving the visitors hope of a comeback.

Ermedin Demirovic then had an opportunity in the 52nd minute, but Johansson saved his header.

Bosnia's improvement was rewarded in the 62nd minute when Kerim Alajbegovic delivered a corner from the left and Kolasinac headed home to reduce Sweden's lead to 3-2.

The Dragons continued to press for an equaliser.

In the 69th minute, Alajbegovic set up Memic, who failed to make clean contact with the ball from a promising position. Two minutes later, Johansson narrowly prevented Alajbegovic from scoring directly from a corner.

Bosnia's best chance to level came in the 85th minute when Amar Dedic crossed from the left and Memic headed towards goal from approximately six metres, only for Johansson to produce another outstanding save.

Despite sustained pressure in the closing stages and strong support from Bosnian fans in Solna, the visitors could not find a third goal.

Barbarez: "I told them I was proud to be their coach"

Speaking after the match, Bosnia head coach Sergej Barbarez acknowledged the disappointment of losing but praised his players' character and second-half response.

"Whenever you lose a match, those feelings dominate, but this second half and the reaction were something special. I just told them that I was truly proud to be their coach, proud of how they feel about this national team and this country, and how much they want to put things right and learn," Barbarez said.

He stressed that his players had shown the courage and determination that were missing in the first half.

"We cannot play without courage and physical contact. In the end, tactics are not even the most important thing when you have the ball. Sometimes what matters is showing courage and toughness. We proved that in the second half," he said.

Barbarez revealed that he had remained remarkably calm during the half-time interval despite his team trailing by three goals.

"Believe me, I have never been calmer when speaking to them at half-time. I wanted to be the one to show them that nothing was lost," he explained.

He admitted considering making five substitutions but ultimately decided to trust the players already on the pitch.

"I decided to continue with the same players because I know what they are capable of. They really proved it in the second half, both in their football and their character. We know what level we are capable of reaching, but sometimes we have to show it for the full 90 minutes," he said.

Bosnia secure EURO qualifying advantage despite defeat

The defeat did not prevent Bosnia and Herzegovina from achieving two significant objectives.

With second place in Group B4 mathematically secured, the Dragons are guaranteed a place in the Nations League promotion play-offs.

They have also secured a position in the second seeding pot for the forthcoming European Championship qualifying draw.

That gives Bosnia a more favourable starting position, as they will avoid other teams placed in the same pot when the qualifying groups are drawn.

Sweden, meanwhile, have secured first place in the group with 13 points and will be promoted directly to League A.

Croatia and Serbia among possible play-off opponents

Under the Nations League format for this edition, which precedes UEFA's reduction of the competition from four leagues to three in 2028, the four second-placed teams from League B will face two of the lowest-ranked third-placed teams and two of the highest-ranked fourth-placed teams from League A.

Based on the standings after five rounds, Bosnia's potential opponents would be Croatia, Norway, Wales or Serbia.

Croatia were third in Group A3 with three points and a goal difference of 5-16, while Norway occupied third place in Group A4 with six points following a 3-1 victory over Wales.

Wales were fourth in Group A4 with three points, while Serbia sat bottom of Group A2 without a point but with a better goal difference than Turkey and the Czech Republic, who were also yet to register a point.

Belgium and Germany were, at that stage, better-ranked third-placed teams and would remain in League A, while Turkey and the Czech Republic were in positions that would see them relegated directly.

However, the final list of potential opponents will only be confirmed after the sixth round.

Belgium face Italy and France play Turkey in Group A1, while Croatia meet the Czech Republic in Group A3.

In Group A2, Germany face the Netherlands and Greece take on Serbia. Group A4 concludes with Denmark against Norway and Wales against Portugal.

Bosnia have already faced Wales this year in the World Cup qualifying play-offs, progressing after a 1-1 draw before subsequently eliminating Italy in the final.

A regional encounter with either Croatia or Serbia also remains a possibility, depending on the final standings and the draw.

The promotion play-offs will be played over two legs between March 25 and 30, 2027, with the winners competing in League A in the 2028/29 edition and the losers remaining in League B.

Barbarez thanks supporters and looks ahead to Romania

Barbarez also praised the thousands of Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters who travelled to Solna to back the national team.

"The most important thing is to make these people happy, to show them that we are on their side, that we love this crest and that we are proud, that we can have a smile on our faces even when we are losing," he said.

He added that the players' commitment had earned them the support they received in Sweden.

Bosnia's final group match will be against Romania on Tuesday, November 17, at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, with kick-off scheduled for 8:45 p.m.

Barbarez warned that his side must not underestimate their opponents despite having already secured second place.

"We must not take that match lightly. We have to give more than 100 percent to turn things in our favour because we are still building our path," he said.

"The situation in the standings means we can give our fans in Zenica a home victory. We will freshen up, prepare, and then on Tuesday we will go in search of new victories," Barbarez concluded.