The Danish football team has confirmed that it will be based at Simola Golf and Country Estate in Knysna during the World Cup. Knysna Mayor Eleanore Bouw - Spies said yesterday the council was delighted. "It is a major coup for a small town like Knysna to host two teams. I want to congratulate our 2010 team on this achievement and we are looking forward to hosting both Les Bleus and the Danish Dynamites in Knysna." Bouw-Spies said preparations had started to ensure the town was ready for the influx of media, sponsors and fans. "The municipality is already in the process of upgrading public facilities and the main tourist areas. "The Danish team will be using Loerie Park, Knysna's biggest public sporting facility, as a practice field. Simola has offered their expertise and will work with us to make sure the pitch meets Fifa and the Danish team's standards.

France will use the Field of Dreams sporting facility at Pezula. Bouw-Spies said an objective of the municipality's 2010 business plan was to make sure a 2010 legacy was created for the Knysna community. "The bonus is that from what we've experienced, the teams are committed to being part of the legacy left by the World Cup and ensuring that our communities also share in the benefit of an event of this magnitude. "The upgrade of Loerie Park is the first step towards leaving this legacy." Simola Golf and Country Estate chief executive Avril Kaschula said months of hard work had paid off. "We are also happy to be involved in the upgrade of Loerie Park as this will have tremendous long-term benefits for Knysna." Knysna Tourism chief executive Shaun van Eck said: "Hosting these teams will be a huge boost for the Garden Route." - The Herald