1. ZLS Women

The First Women's Basketball League of Serbia was established in 2006 following the dissolution of the unified Serbia and Montenegro competition, creating an independent Serbian women's basketball structure. The league has evolved into a highly competitive regional powerhouse, with clubs regularly competing in European competitions including the EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women. Over nearly two decades, the league has expanded its profile through consistent broadcast coverage and the development of elite players who compete at the highest international levels. The competition maintains a strong emphasis on domestic talent development while attracting international players, creating a balanced and entertaining league format.

The league operates in a double round-robin format where all 12 clubs play each other twice, home and away, for a total of 22 regular season matches. The top 8 teams qualify for the playoff stage, contested in a best-of-five series format. The playoff winner is crowned the 1. ZLS champion. Two clubs are relegated at the end of each season to the Second Women's Basketball League of Serbia. The top two finishers in the regular season earn berths in European competitions, with the champion competing in the EuroLeague Women and the runner-up or second-place finisher entering the EuroCup Women.

Current Season Analysis

The 2024/25 season showcases Crvena Zvezda as the dominant force in Serbian women's basketball, leading the standings with an impressive record and securing their third consecutive 1. ZLS title. The Belgrade club defeated Kraljevo in the championship final, demonstrating remarkable consistency at the free throw line with a 95.0% conversion rate (19-of-20) during the decisive match. Partizan, the second-place finisher with 18 wins, remains a formidable competitor and represents the traditional rivalry that defines Serbian women's basketball, maintaining their status as one of the league's most successful franchises with seven all-time titles.

Mega MIS occupies third place in the standings, continuing their position as a consistent playoff contender. The three-team structure at the top of the table reflects the competitive hierarchy that has emerged in recent seasons, with Crvena Zvezda establishing themselves as the clear favorites. Student Nis and Novosadska Novi Sad round out the playoff positions, fighting for placement in the postseason tournament. The regular season through March 2025 has produced tight competition throughout the field, with multiple teams still contending for playoff spots.

The standout performer of the 2024/25 season has been Ivana Popovic, whose scoring prowess has dominated the league statistics. Popovic has led the entire 1. ZLS in points per game with over 21 points per contest, showcasing the individual excellence that characterizes Serbian women's basketball. Her consistency has been remarkable, recording 15 games with 20 or more points and demonstrating her ability to perform in high-pressure situations with three games exceeding 30 points—a level of individual performance that elevates the league's competitive standard.

The season has been marked by Crvena Zvezda's comprehensive dominance, extending their winning culture that has made them the most successful club in the competition's recent history. Their third consecutive title represents an exceptional achievement in a league with strong traditional powerhouses. The playoff format, which brings together the top eight teams, will provide additional opportunities for clubs like Partizan to challenge for the title, though Crvena Zvezda enters the postseason as clear favorites based on their regular season performance.

League Competitive Structure and Tradition

The First Women's Basketball League of Serbia maintains a strong tradition of competitive basketball rooted in the region's extensive basketball heritage. ŽKK Vršac (Hemofarm) established themselves as the historical benchmark of success, accumulating nine national championships across the late 1990s and 2000s—a period that defined the league's early competitive landscape. Their dominance during the early years of the league set a standard for excellence that subsequent generations of clubs have worked to match and exceed.

The emergence of Partizan as a seven-time champion reflects the competitive evolution of Serbian women's basketball, with the Belgrade club establishing themselves as a consistent contender capable of competing at the highest European levels. Their participation in the Adriatic League and European competitions has elevated the overall quality of play within the domestic league, creating a pipeline of talent development that benefits the entire Serbian basketball system.

International Competitiveness and European Presence

The 1. ZLS champions and top finishers regularly compete in the EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women, positioning the league as a significant supplier of talent to continental competition. This European exposure has resulted in increased international recognition and has attracted foreign players to the Serbian league, creating a more cosmopolitan competitive environment. The success of Serbian clubs in European competitions validates the high standard of play within the domestic league and contributes to the development of the national team program.

The league's structure ensures that its best clubs receive opportunities to test themselves against elite European opposition, creating a virtuous cycle of competitive improvement. This international dimension has transformed the 1. ZLS from a purely domestic competition into a recognized regional powerhouse within European women's basketball, enhancing the profile of Serbian basketball globally and providing pathways for player development at the highest levels.