Few have been looking forward to the Cricket World Cup final as long as Ritesh Verma.
The Wanganui man bought tickets on the first day they went on sale, well over a year ago.
Back then it would have taken a brave person to pick a New Zealand appearance in this weekend's final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
While the real estate agent wanted to go for his passion for cricket alone, he was "absolutely stoked" he would get to see New Zealand take on fellow World Cup hosts Australia for the second time in the tournament.
Mr Verma has been to one other match at this World Cup, the Black Caps demolition job on England in Wellington last month.
"The atmosphere was great ... really, really great there," he said.
He and his fiancee will be among a heaving crowd of around 90,000.
The Wanganui United cricketer said he had noticed the buzz the World Cup had created in Wanganui and around the country as the tournament progressed.
"Every client who has rung me is just talking about the cricket."
After a "stressful" semifinal against South Africa, Mr Verma felt New Zealand could compete with the Aussies.
"We've beaten them once. There's no reason we can't beat them again. If we want to be the world's best, we have to beat the world's best.
"I say bat first and put scoreboard pressure on the Aussies. If we get 300-plus, that's great."
Among fans not fortunate enough to be at the MCG, there will no doubt be tired eyes at work and school on Monday morning.
Tomorrow's final starts at 4.30pm and will be screened live on Sky Sport and Prime.