A total of twelve teams from the region around the parent plant in Knesebeck (Germany) took part in the event: Bäckerei Meyer, Bertrandt, Heinrichs Agrar, LSW, Meyer Haustechnik, Privatbrauerei Wittingen, Sportpoint, Volksbank Wittingen-Klötze and the organiser BUTTING with four teams (title holders BUTTING main, BUTTING trainees 1 and 2 and the BUTTING Old Stars). The Brazilian BUTTING staff who are currently being trained in Knesebeck were brought on in a supporting role as goal-scoring subs.
In the group phase, spectators were able to enjoy high quality games and fair play. The end of the Group B preliminary round was especially exciting as the two teams on the same points and with identical goal differences took part in a nine-metre penalty shoot-out. One team's joy is another's sorrow: Bertrandt was eliminated after playing the BUTTING trainees 1 without a defeat and without conceding a goal.
The first semi-final saw the BUTTING trainees 1 get revenge, having lost against the BUTTING main team in the previous year's final. This time, the title holders had to admit a 0:1 defeat against the trainees. In the second semi-final, the BUTTING Old Stars won against the top-seeded Bäckerei Meyer, also in a nine-metre penalty shoot-out.
It was a truly remarkable final: the BUTTING trainees 1 vs. the BUTTING Old Stars. Would vigour or experience win out in the end? The trainees did not want to miss out on the cup this time round, and fought to win the tournament 1:0. Bäckerei Meyer had to take its place on the podium behind the two BUTTING teams.
Even though all teams treated each other very fairly, and the referees did not award any time penalties, the Fairness Cup went to Meyer Haustechnik. All the other participating teams were also awarded prizes for their excellent performance.
Losing or winning came second - it was the community that was of central importance on this day. "This was once again a great event. The quality of play was extremely high in all teams and everyone treated each other very fairly without exception," said company owner Hermann Butting happily.
Aside from a diverse programme for grown-ups and children, there was a wheel of fortune with great prizes, the proceeds from which as well as the starting fees of the participating teams will be donated to the women's team of the VfL Knesebeck.
At the end of the company football tournament, everyone agreed that they would be seeing each other again on the Knesebeck sports field next year.
BUTTING - Progress by Tradition