one of the problems currently facing the league is in the performance and fate of clubs from the former east germany, which are finding it difficult to compete with the wealthy, established western sides. one-time gdr clubs are unable to attract lucrative sponsorships, cannot afford the salaries needed to hold on to their "homegrown" talent, and find themselves playing in crumbling or primitive stadium facilities. of the 36 clubs in the top two levels of the league system in the 2011–12 season, five are from the former east germany, an increase of two from 2010–11. however, as in the previous two seasons, none will be in the first bundesliga. the five former eastern clubs in the 2. bundesliga are energie cottbus, who last appeared in the first bundesliga in 2008–09; union berlin, from the former east berlin, who have been in the 2. bundesliga since being promoted as champions of the inaugural season of the 3. liga; erzgebirge aue, present since the 2010–11 season; hansa rostock, who immediately returned from a one-season stint in the 3. liga; and dynamo dresden, making their first appearance at the second level in five years. four other eastern clubs are playing in the 2011–12 3. liga—carl zeiss jena, chemnitz, rot-weiß erfurt, and the potsdam club babelsberg.