Basketball World Cup in Berlin: Germany discovers its love for basketball

Germany's women began their home Basketball World Cup with a heavy defeat. More than 12,000 fans still turned out to celebrate them in Berlin, a striking sign that basketball has moved far beyond its former niche status.

That support gives the tournament a festive backdrop, but it also raises an uncomfortable question: can a record crowd become a burden? The team's poor opening result means the players must handle both the disappointment on court and the heightened attention around the event.

The contrast defines the story. Germany's basketball audience has rarely been larger, while the national team could hardly have imagined a more difficult start to its home tournament. The crowd's enthusiasm shows how popular the sport has become, even as the team's performance threatens to dampen the celebration.