After an inspired run to the French League finals last season, BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque now enjoys the chance to compete in the Eurocup again. Founded in 1984 as Basket Club Maritime de Gravelines, it took the club just four years to reach the French elite by winning the second division behind Larry Lawrence in 1988. BCM made its European competitions debut in 1990-91, but lost the chance to reach the Korac Cup regular season by a single point in a two-game series against Estudiantes. BCM consolidated its status as an emerging power in 1992 and 1993 but faced financial trouble in the mid-1990s, which prevented the team from being even more competitive. In 2002, BCM merged with Dunkerque to become Basket Club Maritime Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral and the club had a return-to-form season led by Frankie King and Danny Strong. They led the club to the French Cup final and the ULEB Cup elimination rounds in 2002-03. Gravelines shocked everyone in the 2004 French League playoffs and went all the way to the finals, but Pau-Orthez stood in the way to an elusive first title. BCM did not reach the French League playoffs in 2005, but advanced to two finals. With Laurent Sciarra and Zelly Wesson as its main references, Gravelines suffered a painful 112-76 loss in the Semaine des As final, but conquered its first title, the French Cup, by downing Cholet Basket 91-79 in Bercy. BCM kept reaching the French League playoffs almost every year, but did not get chances to add any more trophies. That all changed again in 2010, when Gravelines returned to the French Cup final, but lost against Orleans. Gravelines bounced back in 2011 to lift its first Semaine des As trophy by downing Elan Chalon 79-71 behind 23 points from Yannick Bokolo. Its last Eurocup appearance – and first since 2005 – came in 2011-12 and it looked to be a promising one when Andrew Albicy, Rudy Jomby and Ludovic Vaty led Gravelines to win its regular season group, averaging a competition-best 86.1 points per game. It all changed in the Last 16, however, as Gravelines lost all six games and was eliminated. Last season, Gravelines lifted the French Leaders Cup trophy by downing Strasbourg 77-69 in Disneyland Paris behind an outstanding Vaty. Gravelines also reached the French League final, but JSF Nanterre stood on its way to the title. Looking to be more consistent and making the most out of its experience two years ago, Gravelines hopes to reach high in the 2013-14 Eurocup.