Czech Republic's Koller Could Be Ready for U.S.

Antonio Puerta, right, celebrates with Vincenzo Maresca after Puerta gave Sevilla a 1-0 win over Schalke in a UEFA Cup semifinal. (By Javier Barbancho -- Associated Press)

Jan Koller , out since September with a knee injury, could be ready to play in the Czech Republic's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12.

Czech Coach Karel Bruckner said yesterday that the 33-year-old forward may return to action for Borussia Dortmund before the Bundesliga season ends on May 13.

"He's optimistic about his participation at the World Cup," Bruckner said.

Koller was expected to be sidelined for at least eight months after tearing ligaments in his left knee during a Bundesliga game on Sept. 24 and having surgery Oct. 7. Koller, who is 6 feet 7, has 40 goals in 66 international appearances.

Meanwhile, Italian playmaker Francesco Totti returned to competitive soccer in an exhibition game with AS Roma's junior team yesterday, two months after breaking his left leg.

Totti was injured Feb. 19 and had surgery a day later for the broken leg and strained ankle ligaments. He hopes to be healthy in time for the World Cup. Italy opens against Ghana on June 12 and plays the United States five days later. . . .

Middlesbrough and Sevilla advanced to the final of the UEFA Cup with semifinal victories. Massimo Maccarone scored twice as Middlesbrough rallied to overcome a three-goal aggregate deficit and beat visiting Steaua Bucharest, 4-2, winning the home-and-home, total-goals series 4-3.

In Spain, Antonio Puerta scored in the 11th minute of overtime as Sevilla beat Germany's Schalke, 1-0, following a 0-0 tie in the first leg. The championship will be played May 10 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

-- From News Services