THE industrial skyline of Ostrava makes an instant impression on every Teessider's thoughts. 'It's home from home' one suggests, followed by a quick giggle. 'Middlesbrough should have no bother getting used to this.'

During the 25-minute trip from an airport smaller than Teesside, or Durham Tees-Valley as it is now known, the many grey houses are a stark reminder of the coal-mining history of the Czech Republic's third largest city.

The mines closed in 1994 and since then huge efforts have been made to clean up the centre. But, despite the constructing of many new flats and western European sky-scrapers, the bleak past is hard to hide and it still has an effect on the city's air quality.

The journey to the Hotel Atom, where the travelling media core have been stationed here in Ostrava, was interesting as the coach passed many an architectural masterpiece church and many a green field.

And as we entered the Vitkovice area of the city, four floodlights caught the eye. Vitkovice are Ostrava's second major team, behind Banik, and the Hotel Atom is directly over the road from their home ground.

Strangely, Vitkovice's stadium bares a similar resemblance to Billingham Synthonia's Central Avenue in the Albany Northern League - where Middlesbrough's reserves ply their trade.

With Malcolm Christie in the squad tonight, after nearly a year out, he will be relieved to see a few home comforts.

WITH the flight due to leave at 9am, all those boarding the official Middlesbrough Football Club tour to the Czech Republic were asked to check-in between 7-8am.

At 7.20, most of the press had arrived but there was no sign of the players or coaching staff, just a group of youngsters who had walked up to the check-in desks wearing official Boro clothing, or so it was thought.

Those kids, about six of them, actually turned out to be the Middlesbrough bench for Thursday's big night in Ostrava - one of whom, Anthony Peacock, stands 5ft 4in at the most.

So it's easy to understand why one scribe suggested 'It's more like a school trip' before asking the question: 'Who's he? He can't be a footballer.' The answer is: 'Yes he is and a skilful one to boot.'

IF there was confusion over the identity of Boro's younger generation, there was none regarding the name of the player put forward to do an interview - Colin Cooper.

But while everyone was familiar with the club stalwart there seemed to be a few disagreements over the player's age.

Thirty-seven or 38 was the general consensus, but first-team coach Steve Harrison's contribution will have given the Ostravans hope.

"A European bow for the 46-year-old," quipped Harrison. Greeted by a smile from Cooper, who confirmed: 'Not quite!"

MYSTERY surrounded Middlesbrough's first ever UEFA Cup get-together at Durham Tees-Valley airport yesterday morning, as manager Steve McClaren met his squad for the venture into Europe.

An injury check with club spokesman Dave Allan, before entering the departure lounge, suggested Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink would be in the squad, despite picking up a hamstring problem.

But, after a quick star-spotting tour of the lounge, it quickly became apparent that Hasselbaink, along with Mark Viduka, Joseph Job, Ugo Ehiogu, Ray Parlour, Chris Riggott and Michael Reiziger would not be travelling.

No matter how many times the Czechs were told the news they were in no mood to believe their English counterparts. Even now, as kick-off rapidly approaches, the home side's following are of the belief that both Viduka and Hasselbaink will play at the Bazaly - it looks like they're in for a big surprise tonight.

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