England's Phillip Archer was delighted to secure a last-gasp spot in the Seve Trophy with his second place in the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Archer began the week 92,000 points behind Nick Dougherty in the last automatic qualifying place, but overtook his fellow Englishman with his second consecutive runners-up finish.

''It's a huge bonus, those tournaments are special and I look forward to it,'' said the 35-year-old from Warrington, who lost a play-off for the Omega European Masters in Switzerland seven days ago.

''I looked at it at the start of the week and knew I needed top three to have a chance if none of the other boys finished high up there.

''I've had six weeks on the spin and it's going to be eight or nine now but I'm not complaining, it'll be brilliant to play in and I will savour every moment of it.

''I wasn't in the reckoning until last week but just tried to play the game I've been playing and the putter started working.

''I think the last time I played matchplay was the Cheshire matchplay in the North Region PGA about six or seven years ago but I make enough birdies so I'll play my part.''

Dougherty, who could only finish joint 32nd at Gut Larchenhof after struggling to a closing 74, will now have to wait and see if he is given a wild card when captains Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros announce their two picks tomorrow.

''I'd like to qualify by right because there are some good players that aren't in it,'' admitted Dougherty, who is a protege of six-time major winner Faldo.

''I'm not sure my relationship with Nick works in my favour because it puts a lot of pressure on him.

''He could receive a little bit of stick if he did pick me but I'd like to think no-one would say 'That's ridiculous'.

''Hopefully I'll be one of the obvious guys to pick from but I'd rather get in on my own accord like last time.''

Archer joins Graeme Storm, Bradley Dredge and Oliver Wilson in Faldo's team at The Heritage from September 27-30.

There were no such late changes in the Continental Europe side looking to regain the trophy in Ireland at the end of the month, Soren Hansen's victory in Cologne simply confirming his place alongside Gregory Havret, Peter Hanson and Markus Brier.

Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Mikko Ilonen and Raphael Jacquelin had already qualified through the world ranking points list, while Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie had done likewise for holders Britain and Ireland.

Denmark's Soren Hansen soared to his second European Tour title on the back of two eagles in the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Hansen chipped in from 40ft on the 13th then holed from 12ft on the 15th on his way to a final round of 67 and 17-under-par total of 271.

The Monte Carlo-based 33-year-old claimed the first prize of £217,000 after finishing four shots ahead of Phillip Archer and Scotland's Alastair Forsyth (70).

Joint overnight leader Thomas Bjorn and Wales' Bradley Dredge were a further stroke behind in fourth with Lee Westwood, four clear after an opening 61, sharing sixth place on 11 under.

In the end it was disappointment for the three North-East men on show in the final two days.

Malton & Norton's Simon Dyson had looked like being in with a shout of success on Friday night only to follow up Saturday's 71 with a poor three over par 75 to end 13 shots adrift.

The weekend was even worse for Kenneth Ferrie and Storm, although neither was ever seriously in contention for honours.

Ferrie, from Ashington, hit 78-74 to end on six over par for the four days, while Hartlepool's Storm ended a shot further back after third and fourth rounds of 70-76. All three will be aiming to do better at this week's British Masters at The Belfry.