WORLD CUP USA ‘94: SEMIFINALS : Spotlight : DAHLIN’S STYLE MIGHT BE CRAMPED

Martin Dahlin grabbed his aching right leg Monday and considered the unpleasant possibility of not playing for Sweden against Brazil in the semifinals.

Cramps forced Dahlin out of Sunday’s penalty-kick victory over Romania that sent the Swedes into Wednesday’s semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

Swedish midfielder Jonas Thern sat out Sunday’s match with Romania because of a swollen knee and is listed as questionable for the semifinal.

“I think it will be a last-minute decision,” Dahlin said, resting poolside at the team hotel in Marina del Rey. “Of course, I want to play. I also have to be able to give 100% or it’s no use to play.”

His teammates are keeping him loose by giving him the nickname of O.J. Dahlin bears a slight resemblance to a young O.J. Simpson.

“I don’t mind,” Dahlin said. “The flight attendants called me O.J. I said, ‘Oh, no.’ But they said take it as a compliment, he’s good looking. I didn’t know who he was before I came here.”