Estonian football team advances

TALLINN -- Estonia's national football team has advanced to the next stage of the European Championships, where they stand a chance to make their first-ever appearance at the final championships.

Estonia finished second in their group, which was topped by undefeated Italy. In third place was Serbia, followed by Slovenia, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands. 

Estonia's second place finish and European Championships qualification was secured Tuesday when Slovenia defeated Serbia to keep the Balkan team in third place. Only the top two teams move on.

Estonia's final game in pool play came Friday, when they defeated Northern Ireland 2-1 in an intense match.

Next month the eight teams that placed second in their groups will play to determine which four move on to the Euro 2012 championship in Poland and Ukraine next summer.