From this weekend, the women’s basketball players in the Bundesliga will be hunting for baskets again. The DBBL is also hoping for positive effects from the men’s European Championship.
In the DBBL, up to twelve teams can compete against each other and determine the German champion. This season, however, only eleven teams compete for the title. Hot candidate: The kingfishers from Freiburg, the won the German championship for the first time last season and now compete as defending champions.
The Eisvogel Freiburg women’s basketball team are German champions of the 21/22 season
The level in the DBBL is high
There have also been many changes within the teams in the DBBL for the new season, which makes it difficult to classify the teams precisely. “I rate the league as very balanced,” says Luisa Nufer, the captain of the German champions from Freiburg. “We are now fewer teams. That actually always means that the teams are closer together again,” the 20-year-old continues.
Many new professional players were signed in the clubs for the new season. “I believe that the Rhineland will be very strong again,” says Nufer. The Rheinland Lions were runners-up in their first season in the DBBL and had to admit defeat in the final against the Eisvogel from Freiburg. Other strong teams include Rutronik Stars Keltern and TK Hannover Luchse. You have to wait and see for the other teams, says Nufer.
Luisa Nufer, the captain of the Eisvogel Freiburg
expectations for the new season
According to their captain, the Freiburger Eisvogel preparations went differently than expected. Due to some injuries and other commitments, some players could have joined the team later. Shooting Guard Nufer is still optimistic about the new season. You have to get used to it first and find your way in the league. “The goal is always to reach the playoffs,” she says. The Freiburg team will play their first game on Friday evening (October 14th) against the Royals from Saarlouis.
Update: Freiburg loses in Saarlouis
Result Info: The Eisvogel USC Freiburg lost their opening game in the Bundesliga. On Friday evening, Freiburg lost 80-83 (43-39) to the Royals Saarlouis.
Rutronik Stars Keltern on Sunday in the Baden derby against Freiburg
And the Rutronik Stars presses are also looking forward to the start of the season. “The anticipation for the new season is high. The girls are motivated,” says managing director Dirk Steidl. On Sunday, the basketball players from Keltern will meet the ice birds from Freiburg in the Baden derby. Dirk Steidl is looking forward to the game positively: “I think our team is able to make the game successful.”
The Rutronik Stars Keltern players form a circle
Men’s EM hype noticeable?
At the European Championships in September, the men’s good performances sparked an unexpected basketball hype in Germany. The European Championship semi-final between Germany and Spain (91:96) drew an average of around three million people in front of the television. Luisa Nufer is optimistic that this enthusiasm will continue. “I do believe that the broad masses will now feel the attractiveness of the sport more.” She has also received a lot of positive feedback from her circle of friends. “I hope that this will now spread a bit to women’s basketball,” Nufer continued.
“There is still far too little attention paid to women’s basketball compared to men’s basketball. That’s why I hope that something will happen there,” says the 20-year-old. She hopes that the players will one day be able to finance their studies with their sport. But there is still a long way to go until then.
