By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The French championship is by far the most unpredictable and competitive in the whole of Europe as is demonstrated by the rotation of teams at the top. After ten years Limoges wants to put an end to this tradition and conquer the title for the second season in a row.
If the only French team to have won the Euroleague (in 1993 in Piraeus) can make it, then they will become the only to win two consecutive championships in a whole decade. During this time eleven different teams have rotated at the top with Nancy being the only one to pull it off two times (in 2008 and 2011).
The last team to win two consecutive titles in France (and thereby compete in the Euroleague two seasons in a row) was Orthez in 2003 and 2004.
Indeed, the rotation of teams at the top was made easier from the fact that from 2005 up to 2012 the final was a game on neutral ground (in Paris) and as a result surprises were quite possible.
Limoges then, the second most successful team in France (they have 10 titles compared to Villeurbanne’s 17), want to create a little streak and establish themselves as a constant force in the country at the top European level.
In the finals they face Strasbourg and have the upper hand.
| Season | Champion |
| 2002-03 | Orthez |
| 2003-04 | Orthez |
| 2004-05 | Strasbourg |
| 2005-06 | Le Mans |
| 2006-07 | Roanne |
| 2007-08 | Nancy |
| 2008-09 | Asvel |
| 2009-10 | Cholet |
| 2010-11 | Nancy |
| 2011-12 | Chalon |
| 2012-13 | Nanterre |
| 2013-14 | Limoges |