After confounding his critics by showing the strength of character to continue after losing his status as Germany’s first choice keeper recently, Oliver Kahn effectively announced his retirement on Saturday. But there was no rubbing of gloves in glee from his rivals. Kahn will play on for two years after this summer’s World Cup and will undoubtedly push to end his career at the top of the game.

"After the World Cup I will play for two more years at Bayern Munich, and then this phase of life is over for me," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). "I will not end this phase of life with a retirement but with my head held high, accepting the situation as it is."

Many expected Kahn to at least stand down from international duty when Arsenal's Jens

Lehmann was named as Germany's first choice goalkeeper for the World Cup earlier this month. However, far from throwing in the towel, Kahn showed dignity in accepting the role of understudy. "If I am needed at the World Cup, I am there," Kahn told the FAZ. His contract with Bayern runs until June 30, 2008.