Swiss hospitality for Brazilian squad

8220;It was actually my idea that the pigs should be removed,8221; farmer Alfred Stoeckli said as workers put the finishing touches to the new pitch below. 8220;Some Brazilian officials had already been here inspecting the site. They didn8217;t say anything about the farm, but I knew that the stench can be pretty bad when the wind is blowing, and I didn8217;t want some tabloid paper writing that Brazil8217;s World Cup preparations had been damaged by the smell of my pigs.8221;

While the local council quickly agreed a 9,000 Swiss francs 7,350 compensation deal with Stoeckli to ensure a pig-free stay for the footballers, other preparations have been on a larger scale, in fitting with the Brazilians8217; precise list of demands. 8220;If you compare what they8217;ve asked for with what it takes to win the World Cup, then I think you see that their requirements have all been set out with that goal in mind,8221; says Philippe Huber, head of the sports marketing company responsible for bringing Brazil here in the first place.

According to Huber, there were originally around 800 venues vying to host the training camp. 8220;I think the unique setting here helped our bid but we also have a wonderful five-star hotel for the team to stay in, and the village has just one main access road which obviously helps with security,8221; Huber said.

There is also the simple incentive of money, with Huber8217;s company shelling out 1.2 million in cash to the Brazilian football federation just for having them turn up. On top of that there is the 1.31 million price-tag 8212; financed mainly by a locally-based coffee machine manufacturer 8212; of turning the local amateur soccer team8217;s seat-less ground into a 5,000-seater stadium, built to precise World Cup specifications. That includes from the size of the playing area to the type of grass used. Accommodation, transport and security costs are also being met by the organisers and sponsors.

8220;Our tourism industry will of course benefit from the publicity. In addition we now have a football pitch that meets FIFA international standards 8212; allowing us to welcome other top clubs in future,8221; according to mayor Josef Odermatt.

Olympique Lyon are already pencilled in for a visit at the end of July, although the French champions may need stronger stomachs than the reigning world champions 8212; the pigs of Weggis are set to move back in shortly after the Brazilians move out.

8211;Mark Ledsom