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Day: 1 March 2022

ASM match preview: a chance to go down in club history

by: Luke Entwistle
01/03/2022

Speaking before Wednesday’s Coupe de France semi-final against Nantes, AS Monaco manager Philippe Clement challenged his players to make history by winning the competition for the first time in 31 years.

Only Nantes stand between Monaco and a second consecutive appearance in the Coupe de France final. Having come up short in last year’s final against PSG last year, Clement told the assembled media on Tuesday that he is hoping to go one better this time around.

“It is a big challenge for my players to enter into the history of this club and write their own chapter in winning it. I think that is an added motivation and a huge opportunity.” The Belgian manager noted a whole raft of legends of the game who failed to win the title whilst at the club, “31 years without winning the Cup is a long time. Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Kylian Mbappe didn’t manage it whilst playing here.”

Clement can count on the support of the Monaco fans, who have lived up to their motto, “Everywhere, always”, as the away end of the Beaujoire Stadium sold out just minutes after the tickets went on sale. 300 will therefore be in attendance on Wednesday night. “It’s a very thing for the whole group that they are there to help us qualify.”

Aurelien Tchouameni is back from suspension following his red card against Bordeaux, and he told Monaco Life that the team aren’t getting ahead of themselves in looking forward to the final itself, which is due to take place in May. “For now, we aren’t thinking of the final. We have a match tomorrow, and we have to win that one first. Hopefully we’ll have the chance to talk about that tomorrow.”

Monaco will make the journey north without influential playmaker Aleksandr Golovin. Clement told Monaco Life, “He still has a little discomfort and he has a history of it. We have to be attentive and not take risks, especially not in such a big match.” The Russian will not dispute tomorrow’s match, nor any match in this year’s World Cup, as his national team was banned from competing for the foreseeable future.

According to Clement, however, his focus is on club football. “Of course he doesn’t feel good about what is happening in Ukraine. But he is concentrating on returning to training. That is what is important in his mind, and he has a lot of desire to do so.”

Clement will also be without Benoit Badiashile, although Myron Boadu is set to make his long awaited return from his muscular injury. Vito Mannone’s heroics in previous Coupe de France fixtures won’t be enough to earn him a starting spot, as Clement confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper Alexander Nubel would return to the starting line-up.

As Clement comes out, these matches carry great risk, but also entail great rewards. “These are always marvellous moments, because everything is decided in just one meeting.”

Indeed it is in these kinds of “marvellous moments” that seasons are defined, either made or broken. For Monaco, they will be hoping that it’s the former.

 

 

Photo of Phillipe Clement by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Speed Mentoring on International Women’s Day

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/03/2022

To celebrate International Women’s Day, three local organisations are hosting Monaco’s first-ever Speed Mentoring event, giving girls and young women the chance to meet with successful female entrepreneurs from a variety of professions.

International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on 8th March, is a global event highlighting the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the globe. The day also marks a call to action to speed up changes on the path to gender parity. To that end, the theme of 2022 is Break the Bias, aimed at raising awareness among both men and women of the limiting aspects of conscious or unconscious gender biases in society.

In Monaco, three associations, SheCanHeCan, Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises de Monaco, and the Committee for Women’s Rights of Monaco have put together a special Speed Mentoring event on Wednesday 9th March in the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel’s Salon Viola for girls and young women aged 13 to 18 in the Principality.

The goal is to give these young people the opportunity to meet with women in business who can guide and encourage them as they start to look at career paths for the future. The girls can ask questions, learn more about how their studies can best impact career choices and get insight into both the challenges and successes of professional life.

Using the same idea as speed dating, the event is dedicated to one-to-one meetings between young women and up to four professional women. The idea is that these sessions will allow the girls to ask questions they have not been previously given the opportunity to present to anyone, as well as to become more informed about current choices they are making.

“Career guidance for young students in the Principality generally begins during their high school years without a focus on gender difference,” explains Vibeke Brask Thomsen, Director of SheCanHeCan. “Nevertheless, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles. Through this initiative, young girls will have the opportunity to see more than 20 women in leadership roles, to better understand the role and importance of women in the professional world and in all professional fields.”

In fact, there will be over 25 female entrepreneurs from various professions, including trade, health, tourism, finance, logistical and digital marketing, amongst others. High-ranking female public figures such as Céline Cottalorda, Interministerial Delegate for the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, Benoite de Sevelinges, Director of the CHPG, and Marine Grisoul, member of the Conseil National, will be among those present.

An opening speech will be given by Ms Cottalorda followed by a welcome from SheCanHeCan Director Vibeke Thomsen and Johanna Houdrouge, the President of AFCEM.

For more info and to register to be part of the event, contact info@shecanhecan.org or call 06 80 86 12 35 no later than 8th March.

MonacoTech welcomes six new start-ups for 2022

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/03/2022

Get to know the new projects that business incubator MonacoTech has selected to support and nurture this year, which range from an algorithm that detects cancer to hybrid powertrains.

A formal call was put out in September 2021 for new companies to apply to MonacoTech, the Principality’s government-backed start-up incubator, offering a chance to take their businesses farther, faster.

A jury of entrepreneurs selected a half dozen projects, joining the 11 other start-ups already under the wing of the incubator.

Upon being chosen, the six companies started with a seven-week internal support programme that included face time with experts. At the end of this period, on 24th February, MonacoTech organised a ‘Demo Day’ allowing the start-ups to pitch their projects and reveal their first steps and the changes made since their integration.

The complete programme goes on for 18 months, and will include personalised follow-ups, weekly one-on-one meetings, and thematic workshops.

The companies selected include three in MedTech, one in GreenTech and two in the digital realm. 

The first is InnoDeep, which has created an algorithm that detects cancer, and uses 3D reconstructions to determine the evolution and spread of the disease. The technology is based on the “correlation between human expertise and artificial intelligence,” allowing doctors to spot cancers quickly and accurately. They have found the technology to be particularly effective in the detection of early-stage breast cancers.

Next up is Trimed. Using an ecological approach, Trimed’s objective is to reduce the stock of expired health products by selling them at a discount before they hit their expiration dates. Pharmacists can reduce the number of unsold items, making for less overall waste and more effective product management.

The single green start-up is from eH2P. They offer the sale of engineering and manufacturing services in the aeronautics, motorsport, maritime, defence, off-road and energy sectors. eH2P designs and builds advanced powertrains including internal combustion engines, hydrogen powered engines, electric motors, batteries and hydrogen tanks, as well as hybrid powertrains.

Meanwhile, Infineis has developed a medical device which is adapted to each individual patient to simplify intracranial surgeries. The system has huge potential in the treatment of brain tumours and deafness. It is also applicable to veterinary surgery, making it a boon for our furry friends as well.

On a fun note, SimWin gives everyone a shot at being a professional race car driver. Using complementary support services, users develop skills, build their competitive spirit and have the opportunity to become a pro.

Finally, there is Bolt Cam. This company is offering an “innovative and immersive broadcasting experience” for concerts and major sports or cultural events giving live events a fully engaged audience.

 

 

 

Photo from left to right: Baptiste Leroy, Alexandre Courtès, Jean François Nicolino, Nicolò Monic, Leonardo Bernasconi, Simone Cunati, Jean Nicolas Vincenti and Steeve Chantrel

 

 

Red Cross collecting donations for Ukraine

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/03/2022

The Monaco Red Cross is appealing to the population to help the people of Ukraine both inside the country and those who have been forced to flee to neighbouring nations.

Monaco’s Red Cross has always been extremely reactive in the face of a crisis, and in the case of the conflict in Ukraine, the organisation is responding with its usual haste.

This appeal is being launched to “ensure the protection and assistance of the civilian population, including psychosocial support, the distribution of emergency relief (food and other items), the provision of first aid and other health services to the wounded and to the sick, and the restoration of family links between separated members of the same family with particular emphasis on unaccompanied minors and extremely vulnerable people such as the elderly and disabled,” said the Red Cross in a press release.

In addition to asking for donations, the Monaco Red Cross is giving €80,000 in solidarity with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

After Prince Albert II publicly condemned the invasion of Ukraine on Monday evening, the National Council released a statement saying, “Deeply attached to the values ​​of sovereignty of each State, democracy and freedom, the elected representatives echo the upset Monegasque community and assure the Ukrainian people of their support and compassion in the terrible ordeals they are going through. They express their wish for a rapid return to peace”

The National Council joined the call for people to support both the Monaco Red Cross and the Diocese of Monaco’s Caritas Monaco drive. 

To give to the Monaco Red Cross, or for more information, visit the website at www.croix-rouge.mc/faire-un-don/

 

SEE ALSO: 

Prince Albert responds to war on Ukraine

 

 

Photo of the Monaco Red Cross by Monaco Life

 

 

Sea Urchin food festival at two local markets

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/03/2022

The Condamine and Monte-Carlo Markets are planning a two day festival in March to celebrate that oh-so special sea delicacy, the sea urchin.

Fans of sea urchin have quite a treat coming their way. The weekend of 12th and 13th March has been set aside by two of Monaco’s markets to showcase that most popular of echinoderms, giving visitors a chance to sample this luxury sea food in areas specially set up for them.

The lower part of the pedestrian zone at the Monte-Carlo Market will be set aside on 12th March and the Place d’Armes will be the location for the Condamine Market on 13th March.

Sea urchins, or oursin in French, are a celebrated dish in the South of France and Monaco and festivals have cropped up everywhere to showcase them. For those unfamiliar with the urchin, they are typically eaten raw, like an oyster, and have that similar fresh-from-the-sea flavour. They are often described as having a lightly sweet taste that isn’t fishy, despite coming directly from the sea.

They are rich in Vitamins C and A and are also a great source of protein. As an added bonus, they are also rumoured to be an aphrodisiac. 

The menu in Monaco is simple yet scrumptious. Guests will receive a plate of six sea urchins accompanied by bread and butter for €13. Drinks are not included in the price.

Reservations will be required and must be made no later than 7th March directly with the merchants via +33 6 77 78 16 86.