Back-to-form Klose inspires Bremen

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BREMEN, Germany -- Miroslav Klose scored twice to help Werder Bremen see off AZ Alkmaar 4-1 and reach the semifinals of the UEFA Cup on Thursday. They will face Espanyol, one of a trio of Spanish sides in the last four.

After a goalless draw in the first leg in the Netherlands, Werder moved ahead when Tim Borowski beat the offside trap and swept a shot past Alkmaar keeper Boy Waterman in the 16th minute.

The Dutch side recovered to equalize in the 32nd minute with a powerful shot from Moussa Dembele from the edge of the area.

Klose, top scorer at the 2006 World Cup but struggling for form this year, got his first goal since January 31 when he slid in to make it 2-1 four minutes later.

The German international striker headed in the third for Werder in the 62nd minute and Diego slipped in the fourth eight minutes from time to settle matters.

Espanyol went through with a 0-0 draw away to Benfica that gave them a 3-2 aggregate win.

Benfica put the visitors under pressure in the first few minutes of the but Espanyol had the best chance after 12 minutes when Walter Pandiani's shot hit the far post.

Espanyol goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz kept his side on track for a place in the last four with a spectacular save on the line after a shot by Benfica striker Nuno Gomes in the 66th minute.

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