TOWERING over the city of Xanthi stand the mountains of Rodopi. Eighty five per cent of the mountain range is across the Bulgarian border, while to the south runs the Thrace Sea.

It is just below the Rodopis where the old Xanthi stadium lies. A very small venue, which resides in a valley, that is clearly not suitable for European football.

It is, predominantly, for this reason that Xanthi's backers, car manufacturers Skoda, relocated the ambitious club just to the south of the city.

Now the new 7,500 all-seater Xanthi Arena represents a new era at the club.

They only moved to this ground a year ago and it is no bigger than Hartlepool United's Victoria Park.

It is very well presented - spacious changing rooms, a press room, VIP area and a large number of offices. But it is hard to imagine that this is a venue, with only three stands for spectators, of a club competing in European football.

Just across the road you can see Xanthi's official training ground - named the Athletic Centre of Skoda Xanthi.

There are seven football grounds, a mini football court, a tennis court, basketball field, plus a swimming pool and all the latest fitness equipment. It is up there with the best training grounds in England and is a sign of Xanthi's progression in recent times.

Brazilian and world football legend Pele officially opened the doors to the new stadium and training ground in May.

He is now an official member of the club and is the major reason why Emerson, plus other Brazilians, arrived in the summer.

REGARDLESS of the impression given by the city itself, one thing townsfolk here are renowned for is their hospitality.

And on our visit to Xanthi we have experienced the friendliness at first hand. When we were at the Xanthi Arena on Wednesday night - the home ground of Boro's opponents - the whole visiting party from the media were given a goodie bag.

But it was the extent of what was inside the goodie bag which surprised everyone - particularly as they must have given out at least 40 of these.

A full Xanthi strip, a history file of the club, a DVD, a tie-pin, beer mats and a cap - not bad for just turning up to do your job.

XANTHI'S friendly press officer, Barbaris, presented those complimentary gifts to us. A larger than life, bubbly character who extended his welcome to us by taking us all to a nice tavern in Metropolis Square for our evening meal.

A traditional Greek banquet was brought out onto the tables.

Every piece of meat you could think of plus plenty of the delicacies Xanthi is famous for.

Dried nuts, Cariokes, Sutzuk, loukomia, pastelia, siropiasta, hazelnuts and almonds. As you can imagine most of us didn't have a clue what was in half of those but it was very nice all the same.