Hamann quits German team

Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann has announced his retirement from international football.

Hamann was not included in the hosts' squad for next month's World Cup finals, although the Liverpool man was not expecting to be picked.

The 32-year-old has now decided to call it a day with the national team to concentrate on his club career.

"It's not really a big surprise to me I wasn't in the squad," Hamann told Liverpool's official website.

"I haven't spoken to the manager for the last three months so I didn't think there was much chance of me being included.

"That's it for me now at international level. I'm 32 now and this would have been my last tournament.

"I'm not any more disappointed because the tournament is in Germany than had it been anywhere else. I enjoyed it in Japan and France as much as I could have done anywhere.

"Now I'll just be watching the World Cup on television although I'll go to Munich for the first match."

Hamann made 59 appearances for Germany and scored on his debut against South Africa in November 1997.

He also scored the last goal at the old Wembley Stadium and was part of the Germany team which lost to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup final.

His last appearance for Germany was against Holland last August and he gradually slipped out of coach Jurgen Klinsmann's World Cup plans.