Cech retires, beaten by the team he helped build

Cech retires a hero not only for Chelsea, where he won the Premier League four times and the Champions League once, but for his native Czech Republic.

"I'd like to thank Petr for everything he has done for Czech football," Czech national team coach Jaroslav Silhavy told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

"His 124 international games clearly prove how important he was for the national team. And he proved his top class in England. I'm really glad that I had a chance to cooperate with him briefly. And at the same time I'd like to wish him the best for his next career, whatever it is."

AP