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Month: June 2022

Roca Team make a statement at the Astroballe

by: Luke Entwistle
16/06/2022

AS Monaco Basketball got their Betclic Elite final off to a perfect start, outperforming old nemesis Lyon-Villeurbanne on their home court and giving Sasa Obradovic’s men a 1-0 lead.

Pre-match Obradovic told Monaco Life that his side would “have to be at the maximum” to allow themselves a chance. Amidst a fervent atmosphere at the Astroballe on Wednesday, the Serbian coach can be satisfied that his whole team did just that.

The victory rarely looked in doubt as Monaco grew an early lead before providing an exhibition in game management as they prevented their evenly-matched opponent from gaining the ascendency, maintaining a comfortable cushion.

The series is yet young, and there is still room for error, but the manner of the victory will rightly give Monaco confidence. Monaco, with Obradovic at the helm, lost the 2019 series 3-2. Both teams, which Yakuba Ouattara described as “the headline acts of the French championship” have since improved and blossomed on the European stage. But with this victory, as well as their qualification to the Euroleague play-offs, gives rise to a creeping feeling that Monaco may have displaced the mighty Asvel as the new powerhouses of French basketball.

Monaco didn’t allow the home side to settle into any kind of rhythm as they dictated the tempo in the first-quarter. Lyon held the advantage for 13 seconds at the start of the encounter, but that was as good as it got for the reigning champions; eight unreplied points began to grow the gap that became impossible to close.

Later in that quarter, three unreplied three-pointers, the last of which was converted by Dwayne Bacon from a Mike James pass, grew the lead to 10. James, however, was a marked man, but in focusing on the damage that the emphatic point guard can inflict, spaces opened elsewhere and Monaco’s other stars had the efficiency to capitalise.

But James couldn’t be shackled for long, as he found space, his influence grew and so did Monaco’s lead. By the end of the third quarter, the gap stood at 11 points, as James (17), Alpha Diallo (16) and Bacon (13) inflicted the most damage.

Although Lyon-Villeurbanne mustered something resembling a comeback in the final quarter, it was too little, too late as Monaco took the victory and the upperhand in this best-of-five series.

Going into the match Ouattara told Monaco Life that “It’s 50/50. There isn’t really a favourite.” In this finely balanced series, Monaco have just tipped the temperamental scales in their favour. They will have to be prudent, however. With the teams so evenly matched, it won’t take much for the scales to tilt the other way.

“It’s important to win this first match, but the fight contitunes,” said Obradovic post-match. The side’s meet at the Astroballe for the second tie on Friday to do it all again.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball

 

 

 

 

Monaco readies itself for international futsal tournament

by: Luke Entwistle
16/06/2022

Monaco will host an international futsal tournament at the Espace Saint-Antoine this weekend, which will include two Monégasuqe teams as well as a trophy presentation by Prince Albert II.

Teams from Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy and of course Monaco will gather in the Principality for the first ever international futsal tournament to take place in the Principality. Winner of the Monaco futsal cup, Omnium Sport Monaco and AS Futsal Méditeranée will wear the colours of the Principality in the tournament.

Futsal is a five-a-side format of football that is played on a handball court. Although very closely related to football, the hard court and different dimensions and format makes for a very technical style of play in closed spaces. It is also a sport that has been growing in popularity for several years.

Proceedings will get under way on Saturday with the group stage phases, before the knockout phases, which will take place on Sunday. The final will take place at 16:30, and the winner will receive the trophy from Prince Albert II.

In Saturday’s group stage, Omnium Sport Monaco have been drawn against French side FC Fellow and Belgian side Rapid Subs Beernem. AS Futsal Méditerranée meanwhile have been drawn against Swiss side Team Ticino Lugano and the Italian team Ticinia Novara. The matches will last 40 minutes.

 

 

 

Top Marques Monaco a huge hit in numbers and sales

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/06/2022

Thousands of car lovers turned out to celebrate the return of the Top Marques Monaco supercar show last weekend, with expectations exceeded in terms of sales and the number of visitors. 

Multiple sales were made in every category of the show including the area dedicated to iconic sports cars from the 50s to the 90s, where a number of exhibitors confirmed they had made sales during the four-day event.

Initial figures revealed that more than 22,000 visitors attended the show, coming from as far away as Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the USA.

“After two years of Covid, it was a real challenge to organise this edition of Top Marques, and to mobilise the exhibitors, the manufacturers and the public to make the event a success. But we met the challenge,” Salim Zeghdar, CEO of Top Marques, said.

“We exceeded our expectations both in terms of sales by our exhibitors and the number of visitors. All the indicators are very positive and are there to encourage me and my team to start working on a sensational edition next year, with even more world launches and exceptional vehicles.”

Top Marques Monaco 2022, photo by Monaco Life

From today, visitors worldwide can access the event virtually with the first ever digital Top Marques Monaco. Access is free by clicking on the 360° tab here. “Visitors who were not able to come to our event last week, or who want to return to see some of the incredible vehicles – and even buy them – can visit our virtual show. I think it’s a first for a car show and I’m very proud of this new dimension to Top Marques.”

The annual Top Marques show, held every June under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, returned in style with almost 100 exhibitors presenting more than 115 vehicles. There were also several superboats exhibited on the Esplanade outside the Grimaldi Forum as well as timepieces and fine jewellery in the Espace Diaghilev, all of which made sales.

The event began with an exclusive VIP avant-premiere opening for more than 2,500 guests, where several purchases were made ahead of the opening to the public on 9th June.

Prince Albert unveils a world-premier supercar at Top Marques Monaco 2022, credit: Elite Visual Concept

Highlights of the event included a record-breaking number of world launches unveiled by Prince Albert on day one of the show. These included Italy’s PJ -01 Project by Pambuffetti, the 660 LMS by Swiss manufacturers Picasso Automobile, the Dallara D50, the Mini E-Electric from Aznom Automotive, the Magnifica motorbike from Radikal Design, and three incredible aerial vehicles: a flying motorcycle from Xturismo, the Jetson One, and a flying car from Mc-Clic, the MC-One.

European launches included Pininfarina’s Battista, the Aspark Owl from Japan and the electric supercar Deus Vayanne, as well as five avant-premieres: McLaren’s Artura, Aston Martin’s Valhalla as well as the DBX 707, and two cars from Maserati, the MC20 and the SUV Grecale.

But for many, the most beautiful vehicles were found in the Classic Car Hall, with emblematic models exposed by leading classic car dealers such as Monaco Luxury, Boutsen Classic Cars, British & Sportscars, DPM Motors, Dream Car Performance as well as a private collection by Classics 4 You.

The pinnacle for other supercar fans was the appearance of Top Marques’ ambassador, auto influencer GMK, who spent more than five hours over the weekend greeting fans and inviting them to sign his car.

See Monaco Life Instagram page for more videos from Top Marques Monaco 2022! 

 

SEE ALSO: 

Photos: Top Marques 2022

 

 

Top photo credit: Elite Visual Concept

 

 

How to use MaConsigne’s reusable take-away containers

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/06/2022

Monaco is starting to ditch single-use takeaway containers by launching a new initiative that gives restaurants and consumers access to eco-friendly, reusable glass alternatives.

Take-away has reached a new level of eco-friendliness in Monaco with the installation of 25 catering points around Monaco serving up meals in reusable glass containers, reducing waste and putting the Principality on track to hit its 2030 zero single-use plastic policy deadline.

More than two million disposable containers were used in Monaco last year alone. This rather shocking figure was enough to spur the Director of the Mission for Energy Transition (MTE) Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux to take a look at alternatives, namely to the past, when glass containers were used by consumers and returned to be used again and again.

The result is MaConsigne, a new system that allows local restaurants to provide meals in glass containers that can be deposited at terminals after use, to be sanitised and used again and again.

Two apps, developed by French start-up GreenGo, work in tandem. One is for the restauranteurs, the other for the clients. The customer creates an account allowing the app to geolocate the closest participating restaurants. Then, the client chooses and pays for the meal at one of the 25 eateries in the area, collects their food and, when finished, deposits the glass container at one of the 20 return terminals situated throughout the Principality.

The service is free so long as the customer returns the containers within two weeks of the order. If they fail to do this, a €7 charge will be made to their account.

Photo by Manuel Vitali / Communication Department

Restaurants order the number of containers they will use, scanning each container and meal separately to keep track of the receptacles. There are four container sizes available in 250ml, 800ml, 1,100ml and 1,220ml. They will also be available for delivery options in the future.

The venture is being handled through several partners, making this truly a group effort. Monaco Logistique collects the containers each day to wash and disinfect each returned piece. Another partner, Stars’N’Bars, has made their washing station available to carry out this task. Then, AMAPEI, for its part, is packaging the QR codes on the 1,500 containers put into circulation as well as preparing the containers, quantity and size, for each restaurant every day.

There are currently 15 Monaco restaurants taking part in MaConsigne. The new system is part of a bigger picture government plan to eliminate the use of single-use plastic in Monaco by 2030.

MaConsigne is available now on both App Store and Play Store.

 

 

Top photo: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

Women’s group gives CHPG and CCT a generous boost

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/06/2022

The Women World Leaders of Monaco, honorarily headed by Princess Stephanie, made a huge €40,000 donation to benefit both the Princess Grace Hospital and the Cardiothoracic Centre’s fight against cardiovascular disease.

Heart disease is ranked as the number one killer of women worldwide, causing more deaths than all cancers combined. In Europe, the condition kills one in two women. Furthermore, an estimated 17.8 million people of both genders die from cardiovascular disease every year, accounting for 32% of all global deaths.

Back in April, Women World Leaders of Monaco held an event, Evening of the Heart, as a fundraiser at the Yacht Club of Monaco in aid of the prevention of heart disease. On 8th June, the association proudly handed over two cheques of €20,000 each to the Princess Grace Hospital Centre (CHPG) and the Monaco Cardiothoracic Centre (CCT), the fruits of the charity event.

The two entities received their donations at the Ministry of State with Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino, President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri, Director of the CHPG Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, Director of the CCM Guy Nervo, Doctor Jean-Joseph Pastor, Doctor Armand Eker and Women World Leaders Monaco, who sported red outfits all in attendance.

After the ceremony, President of Women World Leaders of Monaco Chantal Ravera announced the next meeting to be held will be called Gestures of Life, and is scheduled for 22nd October at the Yacht Club. Another Evening of the Heart will also take place in April 2023. Additionally, a new initiative is being launched in March 2023, called Heart Day.

 

 

Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

CFM Indosuez Wealth Management celebrates 100 years

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/06/2022

The protection of the ocean and blue finance were at the heart of CFM Indosuez’s official centenary celebration on the rooftop of the Oceanographic Museum and in the presence of Prince Albert II.

To symbolise the bank’s commitment to this cause, a dinner was organised on Tuesday 7th June at Monaco’s iconic Oceanographic Museum. In addition to the breathtaking view of Monaco, guests were treated to an original and innovative show on the theme of the sea.

The evening took place in the presence of Prince Albert II, who made a speech underlining the role of CFM Indosuez in the economic development of the Principality over the past 100 years, as well as the bank’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible finance for over 20 years.

In addition, representatives of the Monegasque government and various institutions were present for the celebration.

Rooftop CFM Indosuez centenary anniversary dinner on the rooftop of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Credit: Studio4K

CFM Indosuez has worked alongside the Oceanographic Institute to “promote awareness, love for and protection of the oceans” since 2020. The bank has also demonstrated commitment to corporate social responsibility by offering responsible investment solutions to clients since the launch of the first Monegasque fund on this theme in 2002, by limiting its corporate environmental footprint, by the support of local charities with the participation of the bank’s employees in Citizen Days, and by favouring partners who are themselves committed to sustainable development and the protection of the oceans.

The bank sponsored a coral on behalf of each guest, with each person receiving a personalised bracelet containing its GPS coordinates.

“This donation symbolises the ambition of CFM Indosuez, its clients, employees and partners to contribute together to a more responsible world,” said the bank in a statement.

 

Photo of Prince Albert with Robert Calcagno, CEO of the Oceanographic Institute, and Mathieu Ferragut, CEO of CFM Indosuezs. Credit: Studio4K