The "dinosaur"

Borussia Dortmund player Jan Koller (L) vies with Real Madrid's Ivan Helguera during their Champions League match in Dortmund 25 February 2003. AFP PHOTO EPA/DPA/TOBIAS HEYER/th/rk

You only have to look at Jan Koller to know why he is affectionately known by his teammates as 'Dino' or 'Dinosaur'.

With his short-cropped hair and massive physique (2.02m/104kg), there is something monsterous about the powerhouse centre-forward.

Koller's rise to the top ranks of European football has been steady and sure. He scored on his international debut against Belgium, notched up a remarkable 13 goals in his first 15 matches and to this day maintains a record of more than one goal every two games at the international level.

All this proves to his critics that what he may lack in fine skills he more than makes up for in terms of strength, athleticism and, ultimately, productivity.

Star rises in Belgium

After a couple of years at Strakonice he moved to Sparta Prague in 1994 where his partnership with the towering figure of Lokvenc earned the pair the nickname 'the twin giraffes'.

Czech Jan Koller (L) vies with Bosnian Muhamed Konjic (R) in a Euro Soccer 2000 qualifying match in Teplice 08 September 1999.

Koller's ascension to fame and fortune came after he joined Belgian side Lokeren, where he ended the 1999 season as the league's top marksman with 24 strikes.

He then switched to their league rivals Anderlecht where his goals helped them to a domestic title in his first season.

Despite his failure to score for the Czech Republic at Euro 2000, Koller was a constant threat to the opposition although his country failed to overcome a difficult group that featured co-hosts Holland and eventual champions France as they exited at the first hurdle.

Koller had become a hero in certain sections of the Belgian support but he eventually outgrew his surroundings, German giants Borussia Dortmund tempting him away to the Bundesliga in 2001.

French defender William Gallas (L) fight for the ball with Czech forward Jan Koller during the France/Czech Republic friendly soccer game 12 February 2003 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. AFP PHOTO JACQUES DEMARTHON

In Germany he again brought home the silverware as Dortmund achieved a rare league title in 2002. Koller and his teammates also made it to the UEFA Cup final against PSV Eindhoven at the Dutch outfit's De Kuip stadium.

Dortmund lost 3-2 after a thrilling end to end tie in which Koller scored the goal of the game, a spectacular volley, to bring his side back to 2-1 and set up a tense final 15 minutes.

Despite the admiring eyes of several big clubs in Europe, Koller is still at Dortmund and he also played an important role in the Czech Republic's impressive qualification for Euro 2004, where they will line up as solid contenders.