Hagi doubtful for opener

Hagi challenges Colombia's Carlos Valderrama

Romania's captain and talisman Gheorghe Hagi is doubtful for his country's opening Euro 2000 game against Germany.

An injury to the adductor muscles in his knee could prevent Hagi from playing in the match at Liege, Belgium on June 12.

Thirty five year old Hagi remains the playmaker of the Romanian side.

He proved last month, in Galatasaray's Uefa Cup victory over Arsenal, that he can still perform at the highest level.

Training alone

The Romanian team doctor Pompiliu Popescu claimed that "Hagi will be training alone for several days".

He also added that the Romanian coach Emerich Jenei will not decide whether to play Hagi until the last possible moment.

This blow comes as Hagi enters what is possibly his last major tournament, he was expected to announce his retirement from international football during Euro 2000.

Blessed

The Romanian squad received a blessing from the Romanian Orthodox Church on Tuesday in the country's capital Bucharest.

The team have since relocated to Grimbergen near Liege, in Belgium, to prepare for their opening match next Monday.