ÖFB team: Luxurious swimming breaks before the decisive World Cup qualifier!

ÖFB team: Luxurious swimming breaks before the decisive World Cup qualifier!

On November 14, 2025, the Austrian national football team is preparing for an important World Cup qualifier against Cyprus. Players first enjoy a relaxing swim in the Mediterranean to relieve some of the pressure and tension of the game ahead. At a pleasant 25 degrees and bright sunshine, the team members are staying in the luxury resort of St. Georges right by the sea.

After an intensive morning training, the players jump into the water at Kafizis Beach. Players like Marko Arnautovic appear relaxed and get caught up in the holiday atmosphere. Some teammates take the opportunity to visit the Kohi Beach Lounge, where they chat in a relaxed atmosphere. The lunch break, which ends at 2 p.m., marks the transition back to the final preparations for the upcoming match, which will take place at the Alphamega Arena in Limassol.

Recycling and environmental protection in sport

The connection between sport and environmental awareness is increasingly coming to the fore, particularly in football. Huge crowds in stadiums have repeatedly led to significant waste problems. On average, a football fan creates around 0.8kg of waste per visit to the stadium, which can quickly lead to 60,000kg of waste at large events such as the match at the Allianz Arena with 75,000 visitors. This corresponds to the weight of five fully loaded garbage trucks.

To meet this challenge, various initiatives are calling for more sustainability in football clubs. Projects like Circular EURO 2024 aim to reduce the amount of waste and improve waste disposal. From the 2023/24 season, Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga clubs must present binding sustainability concepts, which include, among other things, the use of reusable cups and waste separation.

Advances in recycling

On the recycling front, it was recently announced that WM (Waste Management), a leading provider of environmental services in North America, has introduced new recycling policies. Under these guidelines, plastic and paper cups commonly used at sporting events can now be accepted in many local waste separation programs. WM encourages municipalities to add these materials to their recycling lists to achieve broader recyclability.

These measures are a step in the right direction as they allow over 60% of US citizens to recycle these cups through waste collection in the comfort of their own home. These efforts are part of a larger $1.4 billion investment in new recycling infrastructure in North America.

The challenge of combining environmental protection and sportiness remains a central concern. Football clubs and fans must work together to meet their environmental responsibilities. Innovative approaches and sustainable solutions could be beneficial not only for nature, but also for the clubs themselves, as they can save costs and promote a positive image.