Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Poldolski to play final Germany games

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski will receive an official send-off and represent Germany one final time, the German FA (DFB) has announced.

Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger, 32, captained Germany at Euro 2016 but announced last month that he was calling time on a 12-year international career that saw him earn 120 caps and play in seven tournaments.

Galatasaray forward Podolski, 31, this week confirmed that he too had decided to end his Germany career after 129 caps and 48 goals for the Nationalmannschaft.

On Tuesday, the DFB announced that Schweinsteiger will be given the chance to make a final appearance for the nation when Finland visit Borussia Park in Monchengladbach on Aug. 31.

Podolski, who sustained an ankle injury in the Turkish Super Cup, will not be fit in time for the Finland game so his farewell will be postponed to a later date. The DFB has confirmed his final game will also take place on home soil.

Germany coach Joachim Low said: "Bastian and Lukas have rendered a great service to the German national team, the DFB and German football. I know that it will mean a lot to both of them to play for their country one last time. It really shows how important the national team has been for them."

Schweinsteiger, who took over the Germany captaincy after the last World Cup, said: "It will be a special evening for me in Monchengladbach and I have a lot to thank DFB and the Germany fans for.

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to put on the German shirt one last time."

Podolski added: "Obviously I wish I could play in Monchengladbach but unfortunately my injury rules me out.

"I am extremely grateful to DFB and the head coach for allowing me to play one last game for Germany, but I'm most looking forward to seeing all the fans. I wish I could bid farewell to them all individually."

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