Semaine des As

The Semaine des As (English: Week of Aces) is an annual cup competition for French basketball teams. Created in 2003, it is organized by the Ligue Nationale de Basketball (LNB), the top French basketball league.
Inspired by the Spanish Copa del Rey, the Final Eight format has always been used. At the end of half season, the top eight teams (or the top seven teams and the receiving team) from the French League qualify. The eight teams play-off at one venue over four days, eventually producing a winner. The Final Eight is one of the highlights of the French basketball calendar. The winner of the competition is entitled to a spot at the FIBA Europe EuroChallenge.

History

Tournoi des As (1988 - 1993)

The Tournoi des As (Tournament of Aces) is the ancestor competition of the current Semaine des As from 1988 to 1993. At the end of the season, the 4 top teams from the French League qualified. Over 2 days competition, the first of the regular season was opposed to the fourth and the second to the third through semi-finals games. The 2 losing teams of the first day would meet for the third place spot while the two semi-finals winner would compete for the title.

Semaine des As (since 2003)

Interrupted for ten years, the cup is returning in 2003 and is largely inspired from the Spanish Copa del Rey format. The first edition was organised in Pau, France. The competition is tradtionnally organized in February and the top eight teams at the end of half-season play-off over four days. The competition has often been highly disputed, producing a different winner every year except in 2009 when Le Mans wins its second title after the 2006 edition in 9 editions. The current title holder (2011) is Gravelines Dunkerque.

Results

External links

• (French) French League Official Site

References