Rustu ends Turkey career

Keeper proud of achievements after 118 caps

Last updated: 26th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rustu ends Turkey career

Rustu: Retiring with pride

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Rustu Recber has announced his retirement from international football after Turkey's Euro 2008 semi-final exit.

The veteran goalkeeper is his country's record caps holder and made his 118th appearance in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat to Germany.

The last-gasp loss in Basel will be Rustu's final game for the national team and he feels the time is right to quit the international arena.

"I am ending my international career where I served with pride, glory and honour for 14 years," Rustu told euro2008.com.

Proud

"I would like to thank everybody who has helped me. I am proud of each of my team-mates.

"Everybody in Turkey should get behind them because this team can achieve a lot."

Rustu started the European Championship as Turkey's second choice, but came into the team after Volkan Demirel was sent off in the group win over Czech Republic.

The Besiktas keeper was at fault for Croatia's goal in the 1-1 draw in the quarter-finals before saving from Mladen Petric in the penalty shoot-out.

His error in the semi-final allowed Miroslav Klose to head Germany 2-1 in front before Philipp Lahm scored a last-minute winner after Semih Senturk had equalised.