There's a buzz slowly building ahead of Saturday night's Wellington Phoenix v LA Galaxy game, but it's a low-key Kiwi-style buzz.
Walking down the street in central Wellington, the only visible evidence of David Beckham's presence is the odd bus stand advert and a bit of LA Galaxymerchandise in sports gear shop windows.
The Beckham bunting has been left in the cupboard.
But speak to people and it becomes clear there is only one topic of conversation in town as the match draws closer.
At the upmarket Pravda Café, customers have been gradually turning their conversation to the superstar's presence, particularly after his arrival yesterday, according to waiting staff.
"He hasn't been in here yet, though," a disappointed waitress noted.
Other than women interested in catching a glimpse of Becks, the focus of the interest seems to be among children, with 15,000 of them due at this morning's training session.
At the Champions of the World sport shop, which usually doesn't stock soccer gear, they have sold out of their supply of Galaxy shirts in kids' sizes and have had to order more in.
Manager Diane Irons said: "A lot of it is grandparents buying for the grandkids."
But the children themselves are driving much of the interest. At Jay-Jays clothes store, which is aimed at the young market, manager Danielle Hokianga said Beckham was all her customers have been talking about all week.
"We get hundreds of kids in here and they're all saying they're going to the game or the training," she said. "There is a definite buzz going.'
The only thing cooling the atmosphere today is the weather, which is pretty chilly.
Let's hope David packed his thermals for training.
Paul Smith is in Wellington for David Beckham's flying visit, the buildup to Saturday night's LA Galaxy clash with Phoenix and the match itself.
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