"The Big One" finally rolls around this Sunday; one of the most prestigious pre-season friendlies we've ever hosted. Over the last couple of years we've made a habit of playing the odd foreign team - Feyernoord, Alavés - but seeing a team of the quality of Inter Milan on the Fratton turf? Who'd have thought that five years ago.
And that's what got me thinking. Who'd have thought of any of this five years ago? Join me won't you, for a Fratton Faithful Flashback. It's the summer of 2000 and Pompey are preparing for another season in Division One.
Manager in 2000 - Tony Pulis
Manager in 2005 - Alain Perrin
Pre-season training in 2000 - Lots of 40km runs in the New Forest for fitness
Pre-season training in 2005 - Squad trip to France, scientific approach to fitness
Aims for forthcoming season in 2000 - Survival in Division One
Aims for forthcoming season in 2005 - Consolidation in The Premiership
First home game in 2000 - Grimsby
First home game in 2005 - Tottenham Hotspur
Strikeforce in 2000 - Lee Mills, Lee Bradbury, Steve Claridge
Strikeforce in 2005 - Lomano LuaLua, Azar Karadas, Collins Mbesuma
Referee quality in 2000 - Rubbish
Referee quality in 2005 - Rubbish
Number of internationals in squad in 2000 - 3
Number of internationals in squad in 2005 - 17
Best expected cup run in 2000 - 2nd round League Cup, 3rd round FA Cup
Best expected cup run in 2005 - Quarter Finals
Biggest scalp of the season in 2000 - Drawing 1-1 with Fulham
Biggest scalp of the season in 2005 - Beating Manchester United 2-0
Stadium progress in 2000 - Building due to commence very soon
Stadium progress in 2005 - Building due to commence very soon
Gary O'Neil progress in 2000 - Talented young prospect
Gary O'Neil progress in 2005 - Talented young prospect
What is the point of all this, you may well be asking? I... don't really know.