Today’s Games

Group G

Romania vs. Colombia

SITE: Lyon

TIME: 8:30 a.m. TV: ESPN, Ch. 34. RADIO: KWKW (1330 Spanish).

* ABOUT ROMANIA: Gheorghe Hagi and Co. were the biggest entertainment value of the 1994 World Cup, playing attractive, attacking soccer that rewarded them with a berth in the quarterfinals, where they were unlucky losers to Sweden in penalties. The core of that team is back in ’98.

* ABOUT COLOMBIA: Did the Colombians really tank the ’94 World Cup? Playing poorly amid rumors of death threats and gambling corruption, Colombia massively underachieved four years ago, finishing last in its group behind Romania, Switzerland and the United States after being touted by many to win the tournament. Current Coach Hernan Dario has scaled back expectations for ‘98, saying he only wants the “Colombian people [to] see that their team fought and gave their all.”

* OUTLOOK: As goes Hagi, so goes this game.