AS the number of letters on the back of his shirt will testify, Dimi Konstantopoulos knows all about being a big name.

But, as Hartlepool prepare to face Sheffield Wednesday for a place in the Championship, the club's spot-kick saviour has insisted that reputation will count for nothing in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Simply by reaching this weekend's League One play-off final, the current crop of Pool players have already surpassed anything achieved by their predecessors in the club's 97-year history.

The contrast with Sunday's opponents could not be more stark. Wednesday have won four league titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup and even competed in Europe on four separate occasions.

But, when the two clubs come together this weekend, they will be meeting as equals. In fact, after April's 3-0 win over the Owls, Hartlepool can justifiably claim to be the bigger draw.

"We have nothing to fear from Sheffield Wednesday," claimed Konstantopoulos. "They might be a big name but, last month, we showed exactly what we are capable of against them.

"Last season, the other teams in the play-offs were really strong and we were very inexperienced. That probably cost us in the game down at Bristol City when they swung things their way so late.

"That was our first year of getting there and I think that makes a difference because the whole experience of the play-offs is different to a league game.

"This season it is different again. We know what is being asked of us and I don't think any of the teams in the play-offs have been any better than we are.

"That applies to Sheffield Wednesday. We will respect them because they are a good team, but we have beaten them once before and we know we can do it again."

Pool might not have been facing Wednesday at all had Konstantopoulos not performed his penalty heroics against Tranmere last week.

The Greek goalkeeper had already made two sensational saves to take the play-off semi-final to extra-time before his spot-kick stops from Ryan Taylor and Ian Sharps took Pool to Cardiff.

Konstantopoulos has claimed that his match-winning blocks were largely down to luck. But, with Sunday's game scheduled to go to extra-time and penalties if required, the 26-year-old will be doing his homework on Wednesday's penalty takers just in case.

"It's not really about practising," said Konstantopoulos, who has been linked with Celtic, Birmingham and Wigan in recent weeks. "Although I will try to watch a few videos of Sheffield Wednesday players to see what they like to do.

"It's more about timing and good judgment. You need to have total belief in the decision you make. After that, a lot of it is down to luck.

"Last Tuesday was an incredible night - although it would have been even better if we hadn't had to go to penalties to get through."

Sunday's final promises to be every bit as special, with more than 15,000 Hartlepool fans expected to make the long trip to Wales.

Most Pool players commented on the electric atmosphere at Prenton Park in the aftermath of Tuesday's game - this weekend's decider is likely to be even more rousing.

"The experience of coming through against Tranmere will help us in Cardiff," said Konstantopoulos. "That was a big game with big pressures, but we handled it and we won in the end.

"The bigger the crowd and the bigger the atmosphere, the more we seem to get inspired. I'm sure we'll all be able to handle the Millennium Stadium.

"Cardiff will be twice as big as Tranmere - we just have to make sure we're twice as good as well."

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