Australia striker Nikita Rukavytsya is relishing the World Cup experience following his shock inclusion in the squad.
Rukavytsya was preferred over the more established Scott McDonald in Pim Verbeek's 23-man party and is set to be called upon for the Group D encounters against Germany, Serbia and Ghana.
"It's been unbelievable the past three weeks. To be in this environment with all the boys has been great, training has been tough but I've enjoyed every day of it," the former Perth Glory striker said.
"It doesn't matter if I get a chance or I don't. I'm just happy to be here. Obviously I'd love to play, but being a part of the team and being part of the environment is unbelievable."
Rukavytsya believes the experience of having played top flight football in Europe, firstly for FC Twente in Holland, and more recently with KSV Roeselare in Belgium, has prepared him for football's ultimate test.
"Since I went to Europe, I think I've developed in every aspect of my game. It's a different mentality, it's much harder and you are on your own, so you have to train every day and obviously improve on your weaknesses. I think I've improved a lot," he said.
"The move to Europe and to play at Twente, it's a great club. I wasn't playing there much, but still training with all those players, it makes you improve. I think it gave me a good chance."
Given his paucity of playing time in the Dutch League, Rukavytsya, in a bid to salvage his World Cup hopes, took the plunge and moved to Belgium on loan in January. It yielded dividends as he found regular playing time and the back of the net.
That experience, he says, has put him in good stead for the World Cup.
"I've moved to get more first team football, it's been going well for me. I played some good games against quality clubs and I'm happy that I've made that move, scored a few goals and it obviously gave me the chance to be part of the World Cup squad," he said.
