Greece stalwarts hand in their notice

Goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis and defender Paraskevas Antzas have both announced their retirement from international football after Greece's early exit from UEFA EURO 2008™.

'Time is cruel'
Defeat against Russia last night ensured that the 2004 champions would not be progressing beyond the group stage four years on, and Nikopolidis announced that his 90th game for Greece - Wednesday's final Group D fixture against Spain - would be his last. "It's a decision that I took long before the tournament started," explained the 37-year-old. "Time is cruel and makes no exceptions. It is the right moment for me to go. I've had great moments with the squad, good and bad, glorious and tough."

No burden
Nikopolidis had been looking forward to UEFA EURO 2008™, in the knowledge that it would be his last major tournament, but conceded: "It didn't go as expected. Nothing can guarantee you success. I hope that the players who will stay or come into the squad from now on will give Greece success in the future." The Olympiacos CFP keeper, one of Greece's star performers in Portugal, added: "[Future teams] shouldn't be burdened by the 2004 victory. The only thing that matters is loving the team and what they can achieve - nothing else."

Antzas decision
Given his age, Nikopolidis's decision was not unexpected but at 31, few predicted that his Olympiacos team-mate Antzas – who has 25 caps – would also decide to step down. Not a member of the UEFA EURO 2004™ squad, the defender gave no reason for his decision but said: "I want to thank [coach Otto] Rehhagel for putting his trust in me. I want to thank everyone for their support and I wish every success to the players that will carry on."