KEY POINTS:
In terms of international travel, few journeys are longer than the one from Denmark to New Zealand.
But, for the Danish players here for the inaugural Fifa Under-17 women's World Cup, the trials and tribulations of such a demanding trek have been forgotten.
Within hours of their arrival,
the players and their support staff were welcomed to Rangitoto College, which will host the visitors for their stay in Auckland.
"It was a fantastic welcome, everyone was so warm and polite," said head of delegation Diana Andersen after a powhiri at the school yesterday.
"They made us feel very, very welcome. Then, the view when we went to the training field was brilliant.
"Everyone is very excited. It is about as far as we can go in the world. It was our first experience of a Maori welcome. It is good for the players, and us all, to be part of something like this. We have only been here a short while but already we know people are interested and keen to make our stay memorable."
The travelling party was welcomed by the college's Maori department. Principal David Hodge greeted his visitors in Maori then translated for them. "You spend so much time in training and preparing for something like this, it is great to have such an extraordinary experience," said Andersen.
For Danish defender Camilla Christoensen the journey Downunder is especially exciting as she is about to meet members of her extended family for the first time.
For Andersen the trip has some significance. As a geography teacher she is relishing the opportunity to visit the country that has always been high on her list of must-dos.
Determined to afford their visitors the best-possible training facilities, the school has worked hard to transform the No 1 rugby field into an immaculate soccer pitch with the stunning backdrop of the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto as a bonus.
After politely shunning the Danish pastries on offer, the team members shed their tracksuits and went to work.
There will be split loyalties for the college on Saturday week when New Zealand play Denmark in their second round group A match at nearby North Harbour Stadium.
They will be back at Australasia's largest school tomorrow when they will be guests at a special assembly and introduced to the 1200 Year 12 and 13 students.
