"BINE ati venit la Southampton" is what locals will be saying to the few Steaua Bucharest supporters making the trip to the city for the Saints' first- round UEFA Cup clash.

One of those receiving the greeting (hello and welcome to Southampton) in the city tonight will be the Romanian ambassador himself - a Steaua fan jumping at the chance to see his heroes score a 'gol' at St Mary's.

His Excellency Dan Ghibernea will be accompanied in the city by up to 70 per cent of his London Embassy's Romanian diplomats - all hungry to see if their side can reclaim their 1980s European glory.

A spokesman for the embassy said they were all looking forward to the showdown.

"There's a group coming down from the embassy. We've all got our tickets.

There are lots of fans here and people are really looking forward to the game.

"The ambassador and between 60 and 70 per cent of the diplomats are making the trip. It's quite a team."

He added it was difficult to say how many other Steaua fans would make the three-hour flight from the Romanian capital.

"We can't find out if people are coming from home.

"Now there's a post-revolution atmosphere people don't have to report to the embassy any more.

"There are lots of fans and we generally count on between 100 and 150 travelling, but that's just an estimate."

The eastern European country is inching its way back on to the world stage after overthrowing communist rule in 1989.

It looks clear Steaua's travelling support will be dwarfed by the Saints contingent heading the other way on October 15 for the return leg.

Hotels and other tourist organisations

contacted by the Daily Echo reported

no inquiries from travelling Romanians.

The club offered Steaua an allocation of 1,300 tickets but the Romanians have opted to take up just 200 of them.

Nevertheless, Saints report the game is sold out.