ROVERS' euro army will feel like time travellers when they descend on Bulgarian capital Sofia.

The 600 Blackburn fans making the long trip to Eastern Europe for the club's Uefa cup clash with CSKA will encounter prices not seen for years.

A three-course meals costs less than £5, which can be washed down with a bottle of mineral water for 16p or pint of beer at 50p.

Match tickets at CSKA's Bulgarian Army Stadium usually cost around £1.50 -- although Blackburn fans have been charged a standard Premiership price for tomorrow's first round second leg tie.

Bulgaria endured a troubled and chaotic 20th century. Second World War bombing raids destroyed 3,000 buildings and damaged a further 9,000.

Once the war was over, the country was taken over by Russian soldiers who made it part of the Eastern Bloc.

Many factories were set up and the Sofia's population swelled until the regime ended in 1989.

Now Bulgaria is struggling to re-establish itself. Around 80 per cent of Sofia's one million population experience poverty with the average monthly wage being just £80.

There is almost 20 per cent unemployment.

But despite their troubles, Rovers fans are promised a welcoming, if noisy atmosphere as they hope to see their team progress from a UEFA Cup tie for the first time.

About 1,000 Sofia fans never relented in singing and scarf waving during the 1-1 draw at Ewood almost two weeks ago.

Vladimir Rupov, a spokesperson for CSKA Sofia, said: "Bulgarians are friendly people, but the game will be a sell-out and it will be the same here as in Blackburn.

"Then there was 1,000, now there will be 20,000, so you can imagine what it will be like. Everyone here is looking forward to the game and have great expectations.

"We think we can win, we expect to win. Why not? We almost won at Blackburn."

Sofia has an array of nightclubs and bars for Rovers fans to either drown their sorrows or celebrate.

Those with more lofty interests may want to visit one of the many theatres, opera halls, cinemas, museums or galleries -- supporters with money to spare may even want to take a chance at a host of casinos.

"We even have Irish pubs," said Vladimir, "so the English will feel comfortable and a home, and, of course, we like beer too, so there will be plenty of that!"

But Christine Vasey, lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire specialising in Eastern Europe, warned Rovers fans not to be "flash with their cash."

She said: "It is very, very poor. When I visited I didn't feel there was much crime about, but to them anyone from the West is extremely wealthy and it would be best to be a bit discreet with your money.

"They have pulled down the old communist buildings and they are recovering, but it is still a poor place. There aren't many cars. Out towards the borders of Sofia it is a bit backward and they still use horse and carts."