Source: Xinhua

06-17-2008 10:15

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

ZURICH, June 16 (Xinhua) -- France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet did not exclude the possibility of his retirement after Euro 2008.

The 35-year-old refused to talk a lot of his retiring plan ahead of Tuesday's final Group C match here against Italy, which could see Les Bleus off the European Championship.

"I only want to think about this after the European Championships," he said when asked if he might retire from both club and the French national team following the Australia and Switzerland tournament.

Coupet has already told his club Lyon that he won't stay with them for another season and will only continue his career outside France after this summer.

"The only certainty for now is that I want to leave Lyon, as I announced on May 23, and that for my career to continue I'll have to move abroad," he restated.

But the goalie admitted that he would consider his future after the June 7-29 event.

"I'll have to think about it (retirement). Therefore it's true that, if we go out, the game against Italy could be my last," he said.

With France on the verge of elimination after drawing with Romania 0-0 and being trounced by the Netherlands 4-1, Coupet could have to make up his mind about retirement right after Tuesday's game.

A victory of Romania, who face goup winners Holland simultaneously in Bern, will certainly send France out. The already qualified Dutch side have 6 points from previous matches, while Romania earned only two draws and France and Italy both on one point.

 

Editor:Xiong