Klose spurns offer

BREMEN: Miroslav Klose has rejected an offer from Bayern Munich to stay with Werder Bremen next season. Bremen manager Klaus Allofs said the Germany striker decided to fulfill his contract through 2008. The media had reported that Klose, the top scorer at last year’s World Cup with five goals, was close to joining Bayern. Bremen has filed a complaint to the Bundesliga claiming that Bayern illegally approached Klose. — AP

Williams advances

WARSAW: Venus Williams beat Michaella Krajicek 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday in the first round at the clay-court J&S Cup. Williams traded breaks early in the first set with Krajicek before breaking again at 5-4 to win the first set. She broke her Dutch opponent again to lead 4-2 in the second set and cruised from there on. The former top-ranked American is playing in her fourth tournament this year after an injury-plagued 2006. — AP