"There is Simply no one who can replace Koller"

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - He's the indispensable one for the Czech Republic, perhaps the key to the nation's success in the World Cup.

The Czech national team was hit by frequent injuries to key players throughout its World Cup qualifying campaign, but asked to name the one he missed most, coach Karel Bruckner would not hesitate: Koller.

"Koller is the biggest loss," Bruckner said.

The 6-foot-8 striker was instrumental in adopting the new attacking style the Czechs began to apply under Bruckner, who took over following the country's failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Making his international debut against Belgium at a relatively late age of 26 in 1999, Koller became a reliable scorer for the national team until last Sept. 24, when he tore ligaments in his left knee and underwent surgery.

Koller was expected to be sidelined for eight months, giving Bruckner reason to worry whether Koller will be fit in time for the World Cup, with the Czechs opening June 12 against the United States.

"It was a very serious injury," said Bruckner, who consulted the striker about his recovery on a weekly basis.

To the coach's great relief, Koller made his comeback May 2 as a substitute in Dortmund's 2-1 win at Hannover — sooner than many though.

"I have no more problems with the knee," Koller told The Associated Press. "Now, the only problem for me is to return to form and be able to play at 100 percent. But I still have a month to work on it."

Koller spent four months in a German rehabilitation center, working eight to nine hours a day to be available for the World Cup.

"It paid off," Koller said. "The World Cup was driving force. ... Yes, I think I'll be available if there're no complications."

Also in Group E are Ghana and Italy at the June 9-July 9 tournament. But the opener with the Americans could be decisive. The top two teams from each group move on.

"I hope we'll advance from our group," Koller said. "Of course, it won't be easy as we face tough opponents. ... What we have to do is to stick to our play. Our aim is to advance and then we'll see in the playoffs."

Bruckner's concerns about Koller reflect the importance of a striker whose career paradoxically seemed almost over in 1994 when he was discarded by Sparta Prague as clumsy and ineffective.

Luckily for him, a $200,000 transfer to Lokeren gave him a second start and he took advantage. Following two strong seasons with the Belgian club, Koller joined Anderlecht for $2.8 million and scored 20 goals in his first season.

From Belgium he moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2001. He's scored 57 goals for the German powerhouse and another 21 in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

Koller has become the Czech Republic's career leading scorer with 40 goals in 66 international games. In the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, he netted nine goals in just eight games, making him one of the most efficient forwards in Europe.

With his height and weight of more than 220 pounds, Koller can intimidate defenders, which has been a problem for Americans in past World Cups. Nicknamed "Dino" (dinosaur) for his physical dimensions, he is most dangerous in the air.

But the times he could score only on headers are long gone. Koller worked hard and learned to score with both feet and create havoc in the penalty area with clever ball skills. Having no problems shaking off the defense at decisive moments, he also proved dangerous by creating chances for others when he ties up one or two fullbacks.

Bruckner acknowledged that if Koller is not available, the team would have to play a different style.

"But at the same time I have to say ... our system is functioning well with Koller, it is effective and yields results," Bruckner said. "There's simply nobody who could replace Koller."