Eunomia wins Waste World Cup 2009

Eunomia – who were beaten by Sims Metal Group in the final of last year's competition – fought valiantly during the day-long, mixed gender tournament before eventually running out winners in a hotly contested final with the Irish-owned waste firm.

The environmental consultancy company overcame waste management firm Bywaters and compliance scheme Valpak in the second round and quarter finals before beating Grundon Waste Management 3-0 in an impressive semi-final showing.

Greenstar – who had beaten SCA Recycling and two of the four teams representing waste firm SITA UK in the knock-out stages – offered a stern test in the final and Eunomia spurned the only clear opening to win the game out-right in normal time when a stiff drive ricocheted off the crossbar.

Showing the fatigued signs of a long day of football, the two sides played out a closely fought goalless draw before Eunomia held their nerve to see off Greenstar in the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Eunomia being the only side to find the back of the net once both sides completed their five attempts.

Commenting on the win, Dominic Hogg, director at Eunomia, told letsrecycle.com: “It was really unexpected for us because we genuinely come here for a bit of fun and it was great to play and it is surprising. It was great fun and thanks to all the referees and all the organisers.”

Played out on a clear day in the East Midlands, the tournament brought together 29 teams from the waste management recycling sector for the event, which also included a Cross Bar Challenge sponsored by software producer REgenerist.

The competition saw players from every team attempt to hit the crossbar from the halfway, with a grand total of eight players achieving the feat and taking a share of the £100 prize money donated by the sponsors.

The winners were: Phil Curtis of the University of Northampton; John O'Malley of Sims; Tom Jones, Surrey Waste Management; Lee Bannister, ECS; James Pickering, Oxfordshire Waste Partnership; Lyndon Capewell, London borough of Hounslow; Richard Martin, WRAP; and, Jake Roberts representing the CIWM.