Alba Berlin returns to Charlottenburg

Berlin. Even if there is still dust on the hall floor and the scaffolding towers up to the hall ceiling, the officials and players of the Alba Berlin women’s team find it difficult to hide their enthusiasm. On Wednesday, those responsible were able to take a look at their new home for the first time. “I have a good feeling. This hall has a great history,” says Lucy Reuss, who has been playing in the club since 2014. After all, the history of Alba Berlin began in the sports hall in Charlottenburg in 1990.

The men’s team played here until 1997 and laid the foundation for later success. Now the women’s team wants to continue this story. After promotion to the first Bundesliga last season, the women’s basketball team was looking for a new sports hall. The previous home – a side hall of the Max-Schmeling-Halle with 300 spectator seats – does not meet the requirements of the top division in German women’s basketball. The statutes provide for at least 500 places there. Also interesting: Mercedes-Benz Arena – Alba Berlin fears for his homeland

Alba-Frauen in Berlin-Charlottenburg: The new venue has up to 2,500 seats

“We received a lot of rejections or the halls were not suitable for our requirements,” says Operations Director Justus Strauven. With the agreement with the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district office, the search has now found a happy ending. In the future, up to 2,500 fans will be able to cheer on their team from the stands at home games. But nobody expects sold-out games at the club at the beginning.

“But we see a great opportunity here to further develop women’s basketball culture. Maybe long-established Alba fans from Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf will find their way back to us,” says Ireti Amojo, strategic coordinator of the women’s team. The promotion games in the old hall were completely sold out. The demand for tickets was even greater, but the number of seats was limited.

The history of women’s basketball at Alba began in the 2008/2009 season. Back then, the women started with two girls’ teams and one women’s team. “We were already strong in the youth field at the time. For the male talents, it often went further into the professional field. It hurt that the women lacked an equivalent,” says Operations Director Justus Strauven.

From the national league to the top division

And success came. In the past 14 years, it has gone from the state league to the highest level of German women’s basketball. According to their own statements, around 400 girls and women play at Alba Berlin today – last season organized into 24 youth and three adult teams.

District councilor Heike Schmitt-Schmelz (SPD) helped thread the deal. She is pleased that the sports hall is being filled with new life after the current renovation of the glass vaulted roof. The building was opened in 1964 as the largest pure sports hall in West Berlin at the time. Over the decades it was home to numerous sports clubs. Among other things, the BG Charlottenburg, from which Alba Berlin finally emerged.

The first home game is at the end of October

“Together with the other clubs playing here, including the women’s team of the foxes, the Charlottenburg sports hall can develop into a location with a strong appeal,” says Schmitt-Schmelz. The game dates would be coordinated in consultation with the other clubs. The work is still ongoing.

The new season of the women’s basketball league starts on October 14th. A few days later, the women of Alba Berlin have their first home game. The renovation of the roof will probably not be fully completed by then. The premiere in front of a new backdrop will probably not take place until November.