GER - Garrett, Demirel retire from national team; Greene takes summer off

BERLIN (EuroBasket 2009) - Germany veterans Robert Garrett and Mithat Demirel have decided to call it a day with the national team.

The international retirements come as no surprise, with the Germans having spoken of the need to freshen up the squad.

Another long-time Germany player, Demond Greene, has decided not to play this summer at the EuroBasket in order to be with his wife and their two children.

"This is, however, no resignation from the national team," Greene said.

Garrett, 32, and Demirel, 31, both celebrated a bronze-medal win at the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis, and a silver-medal triumph at the EuroBasket in Belgrade four years ago.

"After 10 years and 118 games for my country's national team and after taking part in the Olympic Games in the past year, the time was right to go and make room for the next generation," said Garrett, who made his debut for Germany's senior side in 1999 and represented the country 118 times.

"It was a beautiful time in which I had many crazy experiences ..."

Patrick Femerling and Pascal Roller retired from the national team after the Olympics.

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and his NBA colleague Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers have yet to confirm if they will play at the EuroBasket in Poland.

Germany will be in Wroclaw to compete in Group B against Russia, Latvia and the side that wins the Additional Qualifying Round.

FIBA