Team showing no enthusiasm, we hear -- absence of trophies in this, then? (9)
I believe the answer is:
sideboard
'absence of trophies in this then?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'team showing no enthusiasm we hear' is the wordplay.
'team' becomes 'side' (I've seen this before).
'showing no enthusiasm' becomes 'bored'.
'we hear' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'bored' sounds like 'board'.
'side'+'board'='SIDEBOARD'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sideboard that I've seen before include "Dining room furniture" , "Dior beads (anag.)" , "dresser?" , "place for silverware?" , "Item of dining-room furniture" .)