This year’s White & Case World Cup in Berlin was arguably the best yet. The record-breaking event was the largest in White & Case World Cup history with 1,100 participants, including seven women’s and 26 men’s football teams, and 34 mixed volleyball teams.

Attendees joined us from 42 White & Case offices around the world, from Australia, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Tokyo, São Paulo and Manila.

Over the years, the World Cup has built a reputation for being an occasion that many want to attend.

Head of Operations Jana Weidig, who organizes the event, says: “There’s a reason people travel from across the world to participate. It’s a brilliant and fun opportunity to get together, play sport, enjoy friendly rivalry and socialize with colleagues.

“The demand for places to host our event this year was unprecedented, particularly because Covid-19 had forced us to cancel the event for the past two years. That made this year’s event even more memorable. It was incredible to get back together and to have the privilege of hosting the event in Berlin.”

New York-based Master of Ceremonies Antolino Alvarez adds: “The World Cup has become my favorite event at the Firm. I look forward to it every year.

“I get to meet many colleagues face to face who I had only known virtually before the event. The World Cup fills the heart with cheer!

“What I love most about the World Cup is that there is so much happiness from the first moment to the last. Whether you are a partner or a receptionist, it doesn’t matter, the World Cup shows how united we are.”

Winners crowned

The event began with the traditional Friday night opening ceremony, which was fittingly started with a minute’s silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday, 8 September.

Member of the Executive Committee Oliver Brettle then officially opened the World Cup.

He said: “If there was ever an event in the Firm that embodies the value of being united, this must surely be it.

“It’s great to see you all and I am especially happy to see the return of a Manila team after missing out on Madrid in 2019 due to visa challenges.

“Thank you all for coming to Berlin and I wish all the teams the very best of luck in your matches tomorrow.”

The competition didn’t disappoint, with the sunny weather matching the sporting entertainment until just before the end.

There could only be one winner in every category though and this year’s triumphant teams included Americas 1 in the women’s football (a team comprised of players from offices all over the Americas) who beat the Nordics (Stockholm and Helsinki) in the final with London Red taking third place.

Home favorites Berlin 1 won the men’s event ahead of New York 1 and Paris Mbappe, while the mixed volleyball was won by Prague Spring, who beat London in the final with Warsaw in third.

Besides the tournament itself, one of the highlights of the event was the Saturday night party, which was held at Station Berlin, a converted train station.

Entertainment included a marching band and an artist who spent the evening creating a White & Case World Cup graffiti wall featuring all the participating offices.

Another fun and rewarding activity of the World Cup is to raise money for good causes.

Through local pre-event fundraising efforts, a charity penalty shootout and a raffle, we raised more than €10,000 for the international sport charity Laureus, and specifically its Sport for Peace Fund, which uses the power of sport to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees.

Jana says: “It’s brilliant that we’re able to raise money while doing something we enjoy. Thanks to everyone who took part and attended over the weekend and to all the volunteers who helped organize and run the event.”

The date and venue of the next World Cup will be announced in due course!