A 5,000-capacity stand, named the Thermoplan Arena after a local coffee- machine maker, has been built in the style of an English non-league ground, around the training pitch, with the crowd only a couple of feet away. Every planned practice was sold out weeks before the team arrived, despite tickets costing about ｣10.

Fans reach the arena by way of a 'party mile', lined with stands selling anything from kebabs to the more Brazilian capirinhas. Training sessions are watched by a 500-strong media corps and are broadcast live on television and radio in Brazil.

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said that he would shut out the public if they got too boisterous. However, with the Brazilian confederation (CBF) having sold rights for just about everything, he is unlikely to have much say in the matter if he wants to keep his job.

"Where do you see peace and tranquillity, with 5,000 people in the stands and hundreds of journalists?" Parreira asked.

Later, possibly under pressure from 'upstairs', he said he was happy with the carnival atmosphere.

"It's nice for the players to be applauded and recognised," said Parreira. "It has not, in any way, disturbed the rhythm of our work."

In fact, there was little for the fans to see. Brazil's players were restricted to warm-up exercises and some attack-versus-defence kickabouts. Possibly bored with this, four fans invaded the pitch on Friday and one hugged Ronaldinho.

Parreira has no big injury worries apart from Ronaldo, who has not played since April 8, when he suffered a hamstring strain. The striker has recovered and has taken part in all the exercises but is yet to regain match fitness.

While the CBF has wasted no effort in cashing in on its team, it has not shown the same interest in arranging warm-up matches. Brazil will play only one full international, against New Zealand in Geneva on June 4, before taking on Croatia on June 13.

Parreira has announced that the team to play the East Europeans will be the same that started Brazil's last competitive game, the 3-0 win at home to Venezuela in October. It had Dida in goal, Cafu, Lucio, Juan and Roberto Carlos in defence; Emerson and Ze Roberto in midfield and Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka in attack.

Many feel that full-backs, Cafu and Roberto Carlos, who have a combined age of 69, could be vulnerable, but Parreira does not.

"You can see them as old or experienced but as far as I'm concerned, they are experienced, which is fundamental if you're trying to win a World Cup," he said.

"They don't have automatic places in the team. They're here because they've been playing well and, physically, they're in good shape."