Adecco ASVEL's focus has switched to domestic matters since their ousting from the EuroCup - and their bid to make it through to Pro A's end-of-season Semaine des As was given a shot in the arm at the weekend.

The Villeurbanne side have gone through a sticky patch in the past month.

Not only were they dumped out of the EuroCup after only finishing third in their qualifying Group H, they also started to slip down the Pro A standings.

Prior to this weekend, three defeats in four games had endangered their chances of making the play-offs.

But this past weekend's 78-77 win at BCM Gravelines, another of France's EuroCup flops this season, could well turn out to be a pivotal turning point in their campaign.

They are now in joint fourth place in the league and Yohann Sangare, whose seven points included some crucial baskets in the dying stages, acknowledged the importance of the victory.

"We knew this match was important for the As, and we approached it like an Eighth-Final," said the Poissy-born point guard.

"We worked hard, and we had a great match as a team. We played well for 40 minutes, that was the important thing."

Gravelines' season looks like imploding.

Like ASVEL, they were eliminated from the EuroCup before Christmas, on points difference in Group D.

And this latest defeat leaves them joint 10th, and out of the qualifying positions for the Semaine des As with just six league games left.