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Month: May 2022

ASM preview: “We are still the hunters”

by: Luke Entwistle
12/05/2022

Speaking on Thursday ahead of the final home game of the season, AS Monaco manager Philippe Clement said that his team still assumes the role of the “hunter” in the Champions League race.

During the press conference, Clement sought to dismiss the notion that Monaco’s role in the race for the Champions League places had changed. Rennes’ loss on Wednesday night against recently crowned Coupe de France winners Nantes saw Clement’s men take a step onto the Ligue 1 podium for the first time all season.

However, he told Monaco Life: “I haven’t seen a difference in mentality because you stay in the role of hunter whilst there are still teams ahead of you. We’re ambitious, we want to win every match, and more and more I see this mentality in the dressing room.”

Pushing Monaco towards their goal is a positive mentality that Clement himself has engendered, and which permeates the entire squad, not just the starting 11. “It’s easy to have this positivity, to have this positive atmosphere with players who have played a lot, but I also see it in the players who have played less the last couple of months. There is really a beautiful harmony between the players and also an atmosphere with a lot of competitiveness during the training sessions.”

That “harmony” and “positive atmosphere” naturally gives rise to a group of players that sacrifice themselves for the collective, and that is what Clement is now beginning to see, the manager citing Ruben Aguilar and Wissam Ben Yedder as embodiments of that mindset.

“Aguilar is a survivor,” Clement began. “When there is a wall on the pitch, you can ask him to run through it and he will. He has an exceptional desire to play, but to run as well. He is someone who is always there for the team and does things to help others.”

Clement has also noted a change in Ben Yedder’s play since arriving. “He has become very versatile. When I arrived, he was very focused on scoring goals, but on little else. Now, he does a lot more work off the ball than when I arrived and he is more focused on doing that. Because of that, we’re stronger as a team.”

But for long-term absentees Krepin Diatta and Cesc Fabregas, Clement has a full squad to pick from; neither will feature again this season, whilst the latter’s contract expiry means he may not pull on the red and white of Monaco again.

In this hunt, Brest play the role of the prey. Monaco lost 2-0 when they visited the Stade France le Blé earlier in the season, but on their best run since 2017, the Principality side are now a different beast and are hungry for Champions League football next season.

 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

 

 

 

Prince of Monaco honoured with conservation award in Sweden

by: Cassandra Tanti
11/05/2022

Prince Albert has been presented with The Perfect World Foundation Award by Sarah, Duchess of York during the organisation’s 2022 Arctic Ocean Gala in Sweden.

The event was held at the historical Bourse in Gothenburg on May 5th. Prince Albert is the ninth recipient of The Perfect World Award, a recognition of his life-long commitment, dedication, and actions to preserve our oceans. As global ambassador, Sarah Ferguson has presented the award since 2016. It is a Rhino-shaped crystal statue from Kosta Boda and its other recipients include Sir David Attenborough, Dr Sylvia Earle and Dr Jane Goodall.

Earlier in the day, the Prince and Sarah, Duchess of York, braved the chilly Swedish spring weather to inaugurate the foundation’s Project Ocean which focuses on locating, salvaging, recycling and reusing abundant fishing nets, so called “ghost nets”, and other fishing equipment left in our oceans. Also present at the inauguration event where Hollywood actor Billy Zane and The Perfect World Foundation’s Scientific Leader Jan Westin. Alongside the coast, huge piles of ghost nets had been placed, representing the equivalent amount of plastic entering the Swedish West Coast on a daily basis. As part of the inauguration, Prince Albert released a rescued and rehabilitated duck back to the wild, found injured with a fishing hook in its beak.

Prince Albert II of Monaco took part in a tree planting ceremony as part of his support for The Perfect World Foundation. Photo source: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

The Prince also visited the Gothenburg Botanical Garden for a tree planting ceremony as a part of The Perfect World Foundation’s global tree planting project ‘Attenborough Forest’, named after Sir David Attenborough as he planted the forest’s first tree in 2018. The Sovereign Prince planted an American smoketree, described by the Botanical Garden’s botanist as a tree of the future. It was explained that as the climate is warming, the fauna of the cooler north has to be replaced by vegetation more resilient to a warmer climate, just like the American smoketree.

The Perfect World Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Sweden that works with wildlife and nature in crisis around the world. By increasing knowledge and spreading awareness, the foundation’s grand mission is to save the world.

 

Photo by Petra Bjorstad, source Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

 

 

 

Monaco makes the most of new Riviera to New York flight

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/05/2022

A much-delayed and highly anticipated direct route between Nice Côte d’Azur airport and Newark Airport has opened, and Monaco tourism delegates have been in the Big Apple to capitalise on the new link.

As the dark days of the pandemic start to fade into the rear-view mirror, new options for travel, long-delayed due to restrictions, are now re-emerging, presenting airline travellers with new opportunities.

America, for example, had been off-limits for Europeans for a seriously long stretch, and now, just in time for summer, those limits have been repealed. As such, United Airlines has opened a new route from Nice to New York’s Newark Airport, originally planned to launch back in 2020.

The flights run daily from now through to 6th September, leaving Nice at 12:10pm and arriving in New York at 3:45pm, local time. This super-convenient flight means travellers will be able to hit the city in time for happy hour without breaking a sweat.

The return is equally good, leaving New York at a civilised 7.55pm to arrive the next day in Nice at 10am.

This link “will not only bring Nice closer to New York” but also “connect Nice to more than 85 destinations on the American continent,” said Grégoire Dutoit, Commercial Director of United Airlines in France.

For now, the flight is only seasonal, but if it proves a success, there is every chance, Dutoit says, that it will become a permanent fixture on the flight schedule.

Monaco tourism delegates selling the merits of Monaco in New York to tourism professionals. Photo source: Government Communication Department

With the Nice airport a short distance from the Principality, and not one to miss an opportunity, Monaco’s Tourist and Convention Authority (DTC) headed to New York for a promotion operation on American soil.

The Monegasque delegation, which included Director of Tourism Guy Antognelli and the general managers of the Principality’s main hotels, met with travel agents and journalists specialising in tourism, to discuss topics such as the “spectacular recovery of luxury tourism in the North American market”, the government revealed in a press release.

Guy Antognelli was also involved in the inauguration of the new flight at the airport boarding gate, surrounded by the United Airlines crew.

United Airlines is now the third operator between the two cities. The same route is offered by Delta Airlines from New York JFK and La Compagnie flying to Newark on a 100% business flight.

 

Photo source: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

 

 

New PAM parking spaces explained

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/05/2022

Monaco has introduced designated parking for drivers who are delivering products ordered online, making life easier for all road users and facilitating the digital transition of the Principality.

With the advent and escalation of online shopping has come a sharp rise in the number of delivery trucks on the roads. These trucks, whilst providing a vital service, can also be problematic as they often have no dedicated parking and are therefore left to illegally double park, causing traffic issues, or are forced to park far from delivery points.

The Department of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning and the Interministerial Delegation in Charge of Digital Transition are looking to change all that. As part of the Extended Monaco programme, they have set up a series of connected delivery areas reserved solely for participating drivers.

Called Merchandise Reception Points (PAM, Points d’Accueil Marchandises), they will help facilitate urban logistics and the distribution of goods on Monegasque territory.

“The rise of online commerce in our modern societies must be accompanied by a reflection down to the last kilometre on our territory,” said Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister for Equipment, the Environment and Urbanism. “Indeed, digital technology gives us the means to organise, in real time and for the benefit of residents, the flows observed in the Principality. Thus a first full-scale test with users is launched, under the acronym PAM.”

Nine strategic sectors of the Principality have been prioritised with three local players, La Poste, Monaco Logistique, and the Senior Citizens and Social Action Department of Monaco City Hall. These delivery areas are distinguished by specific markings on the ground so as to avoid being used by unauthorised persons. They will be strictly assigned and enforced from 6am to 8pm for the companies and services participating in this initiative.

Each space will be large enough to accommodate two light commercial vehicles or a truck with a tailgate and will have sensors which, when coupled with the dedicated www.livici.gouv.mc website, will allow delivery people to find and have access to the optimal parking places for their deliveries.

The site makes it simple for drivers to find not only designated PAM spaces, but also has features such as showing real-time availability, itineraries and parking and incident declaration abilities.

Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate in charge of Digital Transition, emphasised the importance of such a programme, saying, “In our world where ecological and digital transitions are central, Livrici is one more step towards optimised and sustainable urban logistics. Deliveries organised and regulated by digital technology will make it possible to support economic development without affecting mobility. Thus, the solution will contribute to the quality of life objectives in the Principality supported by the Smart City.”

PAM is expected to be extended by the end this year.

 

 Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

The Monaco model in perfect working order

by: Luke Entwistle
11/05/2022

AS Monaco signed Mamadou Coulibaly to his first professional contract last Thursday. The ink on the midfielder’s contract had barely dried before rumours of Aurélien Tchouaméni’s expected departure reached fever-pitch.

The concurrent but contrasting stories provide a perfect snapshot of a healthy club culture, which prioritises youth development, yielding both on-field and off-field benefits.

According to Foot Mercato, Monaco fended off interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs, including Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, in order to sign 18-year-old Coulibaly to a contract running until 2025.

Speaking in a press release, sporting director Paul Mitchell said, “The development of young talent in our academy is a priority in our sporting project… I would like to congratulate Mamadou for the work he has already done. Of course, there is still a long way to go and it’s up to him to continue to work even harder in order to pass the next stages of his progression.”

Whilst first-team opportunities in the short-term may be limited, there is every chance that he could fill Tchouaméni’s role. The French midfielder has once again excelled this year, and as we approach the final gameweeks before the end of the season, rumours about his reportedly probable departure are only intensifying.

During last Wednesday’s press conference, when asked about staying at the Principality side in order to aid them in another European adventure, Tchouaméni replied, “Yeah, why not? The elimination last year stuck in my throat. Playing Champions League football with Monaco isn’t something that would displease me.”

The French international’s contract runs until 2024, with an option for a further year, but just hours after the above declaration, RMC were reporting that he is indeed set on departing this summer.

According to their report on Thursday, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid are the favourites to land the much-coveted Monégasque talisman, although PSG haven’t given up on the idea of bringing him to the Parc des Princes. If he is to leave, he won’t do so on the cheap; a fee in excess of €50 million has previously been touted for the midfielder, a figure that could yet rise further, especially if a bidding war ensues.

Tchouaméni’s two goals in Friday’s win over Lille may have also added a few million to an already hefty price tag. Should he leave, his departure would be an archetypal example of AS Monaco: a club that provides a clear pathway for young players to break-through, develop, and often, eventually, leave.

Now a fully-fledged French international, coveted by Europe’s elite, Coulibaly would do well to follow in Tchouaméni’s footsteps, and he is in the right place to do it.

 

 

Photo by AS Monaco

 

 

 

 

The great ‘Greek American Odyssey’

by: Cassandra Tanti
11/05/2022

Greece and America united for an evening of celebration at the Yacht Club of Monaco on Sunday, as the associations representing each country marked important anniversaries in the Principality.

In the presence of HSH Prince Albert II, as well as Ambassador of France to Monaco Laurent Stefanini, Minister of State Pierre Dartout and Petros Machas – Honorary Consul General of Greece in the Principality of Monaco, a joint Anniversary Gala took place on Sunday 8th May, in the prestigious setting of the Yacht Club de Monaco. It was hosted by the organising committees of both the Hellenic Community of Monaco as well as of the American Club of the Riviera, to celebrate their 70th and 60th respective anniversaries of their presence in the Principality.

Members and friends were invited to join in the jovial celebration, which featured a Greek folk dance group performing in traditional costume that had flown in exclusively for the gala.

From left to right: H.E. Ambassador of France to Monaco Laurent Stefanini, Minister of State Pierre Dartout, Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis – President of the Hellenic Community of Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Timothy Molyneux -President of the American Club of the Riviera, Petros Machas- Honorary Consul General of Greece in the Principality of Monaco.

In her speech, President of the Hellenic Community of Monaco Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis shared the mission of the Hellenic Community as well as its role and activities in Monaco. Meanwhile, President of the American Club of the Riviera Timothy Molyneux talked about the importance of clubs and associations working together for the common good of the community.

Center: Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis-President of the Hellenic Community of Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Timothy Molyneux- President of the American Club of the Riviera, Elena Tsaldari- President of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women, with Folk Dancers from Greece

The Anniversary Gala celebration also included a fund-raising auction and, with the help of Safia el Malqui, the amount raised was €8,150, which is donated to the Cap-Optimist project to support the Monaco – Athens Crossing on Paddle boards, for the benefit of the Princess Charlene Foundation.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II surrounded by the ‘Greek American Odyssey’ team: Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis- President of the Hellenic Community of Monaco and Timothy Molyneux- President of the American Club of the Riviera, together with Greek, Cypriot, American, Canadian members of both clubs.

 

SEE ALSO:

Paddle boarding from Monaco to Greece for charity

 

 

 

Photos provided