Denmark striker Ebbe Sand has announced his retirement from international football following the Danes' elimination in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.
Sand, 31, scored 22 goals in 66 appearances for his country after making his debut against Norway in 1998. He played no part in Denmark's 3-0 defeat by the Czechs on Sunday after straining a thigh in the Group C match with Sweden.
Sand told the Danish press he wanted to concentrate on his career with German Bundesliga side Schalke 04. "I've made the decision to stop playing for the national team because I feel I can no longer juggle both roles," he said. "It is too hard physically and it is not realistic to carry on like this."
Denmark coach Morten Olsen said he understood Sand's reasons for retiring and paid tribute to "a fine end to his international career" at Euro 2004 in which he played in the group matches against Italy, Bulgaria and Sweden.
Filed by James Boylan
