The European Club Cup has teams with players rated between 1800 and 2000, which is a relatively low rating for a European championship.

Each country may nominate five teams for the tournament if that country runs a league competition, which could explain the presence of weaker teams from smaller countries.

In chess, players can participate in club competitions in different countries, which is a source of income for second-tier professionals, but this does not seem to be a priority for German Bundesliga clubs.

The financial backers of German Bundesliga clubs apparently have less interest in paying their professionals to play in the European Club Cup, leading to amateur players being fielded instead.

A team from the Landesliga, the fourth tier, was able to participate in the event after a Bundesliga club declined to take part, and they had to quickly assemble a team and make travel arrangements.

The team faced several challenges, including a change in venue and difficulties with transportation, but they were still able to participate in the tournament.