IT was not too long ago that Egaleo were playing in Greek football's equivalent of the Nationwide Conference; in two days the club from a suburb of Athens will play host to Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup.

Like Middlesbrough, Egaleo have embarked on their first European campaign this season. Victory over Turkish outfit Genalerbirligi in the first round booked a place in the group stage of the competition.

But, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink et al in tow, Middlesbrough provide Panathinaikos and Olympiakos' smaller relations with a totally different proposition.

Their normal home - Ergotelis Stadium - only has a 3,500 capacity, but the the 14,000 Rizoupoli Stadium, where Eagleo are playing their European games, will be packed to welcome an English Premiership club on Thursday night.

Egaleo are only in their fourth season in the Hellenic National League Premier Division, having clinched promotion from Division One in 2001.

Imposing goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos played an important part in that historical campaign but has since swapped Greece for the much colder climate of Hartlepool marina.

Konstantopoulos is now second choice goalkeeper at League One Hartlepool United but still holds his time at Egaleo close to his heart.

The former Greece Under-21 international made 28 appearances for the club in the 2000-01 campaign when he helped the club to promotion during a loan spell from Kalamata.

"It was a fantastic season for me to be involved in," he said.

"We finished nine points clear that year and the feeling around the town was fantastic. They had never experienced anything like it.

"I suppose it might have been a bit like Middlesbrough winning the Carling Cup in February. Egaleo's rise from the Conference over the years has been incredible and it has been largely down to the chairman (Dimitris Koukis).

"The chairman has not spent big but he has kept them steady and has good contacts in Greek football. He has helped them move up to where they are now."

Konstantopoulos, who hails from Salonika, never played his home games at the Rizoupoli Stadium but knows all about the atmosphere the Egaleo supporters can create.

However, the 25 year-old insists they are not renowned for making it intimidating. "They are very passionate but they are also very friendly," said Konstantopoulos. "They are not likely to boo the away team or their fans.

"Middlesbrough will be made to feel very welcome. Egaleo is on the outskirts of Athens and is not the prettiest area. It's very industrial. But the people are nice and I only had good experiences of the place."

Konstantopoulos still has friends at Egaleo, including skipper Giannis Skopelitis and revealed: "When they finished fifth last season and qualified for the UEFA Cup the party started.

"They have also started this season well and sit high in the league. They are on a high and Middlesbrough will have to be at their best."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.