Denmark defender Helveg retires from international arena

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark defender Thomas Helveg is to retire from international football at the age of 36.

"The national team has been a big part of my life during the last 14 years, so it's obviously a difficult decision for me," the former AC Milan player said in a statement on the Danish FA's Web site (www.dbu.dk) on Thursday.

Helveg, who currently plays for Danish Superleague club OB Odense, made the first of his 108 international appearances against Hungary in 1994.

He captained Denmark between 2004 and 2007.

(Writing by Oliver Grassman, editing by Justin Palmer)