Sport Today

> Hmmm...a Lothar Matth?us ce sa 39 godina na evropsko prvenstvo....

> On 11 Nov 1999 00:10:36 GMT, "Barry Marjanovich"

> >Croatian captain Boban retires from national squad
> >Nov 10, 1999

> >ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) Zvonimir Boban, who captained Croatia to the
> >semifinals in last year's World Cup, announced his retirement from the
> >national soccer team on Wednesday.

> >"After nine years, the end has arrived of something that has been dearest
> >to me,'' Boban, 31, said at a new conference, saying that his decision was
> >motivated largely by health reasons.

> >The AC Milan star said the burden of club and national-team soccer was
> >taking its toll and that continuing to play on two fronts would only
> >jeopardize the last years of his career.

> >"My decision is final and irrevocable,'' said the midfielder. "It is time
> >to open the opportunity for younger, up-and-coming generations.''

> >Boban played 50 matches for the national side, scoring a total of 12 goals.
> >He will make his last appearance for the national team on Saturday in a
> >friendly encounter against France in Paris.

> >Boban had earlier prepared the public for his retirement, announcing on
> >several occasions that he was seriously considering quitting the national
> >side if it fails to qualify for the Euro 2000 Championships or after it was
> >eliminated from the tournament.

> >The national coach, Miroslav Blazevic, however, was holding his breath. He
> >told state radio that he could not imagine the skipper not responding to
> >the call of the national team.

> >It would not be the first time Blazevic has managed to coax a star player
> >out of retirement. Goalkeeper Drazen Ladic twice declared that he was
> >hanging up his boots, only to be cajoled into making a comeback by the
> >persuasive Blazevic.

>ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) Zvonimir Boban, who captained Croatia to the
>semifinals in last year's World Cup, announced his retirement from the
>national soccer team on Wednesday.

>"After nine years, the end has arrived of something that has been dearest
>to me,'' Boban, 31, said at a new conference, saying that his decision was
>motivated largely by health reasons.

>The AC Milan star said the burden of club and national-team soccer was
>taking its toll and that continuing to play on two fronts would only
>jeopardize the last years of his career.

>"My decision is final and irrevocable,'' said the midfielder. "It is time
>to open the opportunity for younger, up-and-coming generations.''

>Boban played 50 matches for the national side, scoring a total of 12 goals.
>He will make his last appearance for the national team on Saturday in a
>friendly encounter against France in Paris.

>Boban had earlier prepared the public for his retirement, announcing on
>several occasions that he was seriously considering quitting the national
>side if it fails to qualify for the Euro 2000 Championships or after it was
>eliminated from the tournament.

>The national coach, Miroslav Blazevic, however, was holding his breath. He
>told state radio that he could not imagine the skipper not responding to
>the call of the national team.

>It would not be the first time Blazevic has managed to coax a star player
>out of retirement. Goalkeeper Drazen Ladic twice declared that he was
>hanging up his boots, only to be cajoled into making a comeback by the
>persuasive Blazevic.

>> Hmmm...a Lothar Matth?us ce sa 39 godina na evropsko prvenstvo....

>...a trebao je u penziju kad je bio 37.