Can anyone break the hegemony of Kangoeroes & Castors in TDW?

This weekend marks the first gameday in the Top Division Women, although yesterday the opening game between Liège and Namur was already played. But can anyone challenge title favorites Castors Braine and Kangoeroes Mechelen?

How are the favorites looking?

Last season turned into a straight duel between Royal Castors Braine and Kangoeroes Mechelen. Castors claimed the double by winning both the Lotto Basketball Cup and the league title.

At reigning champions Braine, the offseason brought a strong influx of homegrown talent, with no fewer than three reinforcements from Waregem: Alicia Courthiau, Pauline Bayart, and Tesse Kapenga. Another Belgian talent who impressed with the Belgian Cats this summer, Renée Denys, made the switch from rival Kangoeroes Mechelen. Key players Vervaet, Miller, Okockyte, and Dupont stayed on board, while several foreign signings were also added. Fred Dusart, however, opted for an adventure in China and was replaced by Krzysztof Szewczyk.

At Kangoeroes Mechelen, the departure of American Cate Reese will be a major loss, but with Todd-Williams, Nicholson, Van Den Adel, and Prapa, four new foreign players were brought in. Belgian stars Nauwelaers and Résimont, supported by young talents, complete the squad.

Where else does the danger come from?

When looking for other potential contenders, we usually end up with the same familiar names.

Basket Namur Capitale became a bit more Belgian, with the addition of Valentine Cambioli, but also brought in foreign signings Blackford, Onyiah, and Selimovic. Phantoms Boom are going all-in with a fully Belgian team, and under new coach Gerrit Driessens plus additions Emma Bell (returning) and Aline De Munck, they’ll try to close the gap with the top teams.

It will also be interesting to see what LDP Donza can do under new coach Benny Mertens, with the arrivals of Manghelinkcx, Toonders, and Nguwo. Amon Jeugd Gentson brought in Kato Bevernage and Kim Beeckmans and will once again rely on coach Wes Wauters, following Driessens’ departure. Kortrijk Spurs strengthened with Mense and Hering from Charleroi and Baudru from Brunehaut. G&V Breakpoint Waregem, on the other hand, must try to replace six departing players and added Vertriest and Katako-Mwaka.

Finally, Liège Panthers, Basket Lummen, CEP Ladies Charleroi, and the new Spirou PDL Basket complete the league of 12 teams!