German women's basketball faces reality check after World Cup hype

Germany's women's basketball league starts its new season after a home World Cup that drew record crowds, yet clubs still struggle with professional standards. The national team's fourth-place finish has not resolved ongoing structural issues. National coach Olaf Lange called league development "regressive" since the 2000s, citing semi-professional conditions and "catastrophic" medical care. The league has introduced a 6+6 quota requiring six German players per roster, aiming to boost domestic talent development. Financial constraints remain severe, with the league staying at ten teams after several clubs declined promotion. Only Alba Berlin and Mitteldeutscher BC have women's teams in the top division, while FC Bayern shows only tentative interest.