Basketball: Defeated against Instabul’s Fenerbahçe, Roca Team shines against Roanne

18/12/2023

After a defeat away from home against Istanbul’s Fenerbahçe in the EuroLeague, the Roca Team returned to winning form against Roanne to take the team’s 15th victory in the Betclic Elite this season.

In the EuroLeague clash on 15th December, which was held at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe emerged victorious (86-74).

Fenerbahçe’s control of the boards, outrebounding AS Monaco 47 to 28, and their ball movement, resulting in 21 assists, underscored their exceptional teamwork. Nigel Hayes-Davis delivered a stellar performance and was crucial in leading Fenerbahçe to victory.

Despite AS Monaco’s efforts, highlighted by Mike James’ noteworthy 24-point performance, Fenerbahçe’s consistent dominance in shooting and strategic gameplay secured their triumph

AS Monaco crushes Roanne’s resistance

Back home in Monaco just two days later, the Roca Team rallied to deliver a resounding 116-73 victory over Roanne in the Betclic Elite domestic league on 17th December.

Monaco’s precision shooting, particularly with a remarkable 57% from beyond the arc and 69% on two-point attempts, showcased their all-around excellence.

Matthew Strazel orchestrated the offence with 23 points and eight assists, earning an eye-popping evaluation of 30, and Monaco’s unselfish play was evident in their 29 assists, compared to Roanne’s 17.

Roanne, despite a commendable effort, struggled to contain Monaco’s offensive onslaught. Jordan Tucker’s 18 points and Yannis Morin’s eight rebounds were highlights for Roanne, but they were overshadowed by Monaco’s collective skills.

*AS Monaco Basket came together seamlessly to deliver a strong team performance against Roanne. Photo credit: AS Monaco Basket*

Upcoming games

The next EuroLeague fixture is a home game on 20th December against Panathinaikos Aktor Athens, while the next Betclic Elite match is on 26th December against the Metropolitans 92 at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Levallois-Perret.

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Photo credits: AS Monaco Basket

Shunned Claude Palmero vows to take his case against Monaco to the European Court of Human Rights

by: Elsa Carpenter

18/12/2023

The former Administrator of Properties for Prince Albert II of Monaco, Claude Palmero, who stepped down from his long-held position in the summer, is reportedly set to take his case against the Principality to the European Court of Human Rights.

Three months on from a ruling by Monaco’s Supreme Court that rejected Palmero’s fight back against his dismissal and his demands that Prince Albert pay him €1 million in compensation, the Monaco Matin has published comments from his lawyers that indicate the disgraced civil servant will “imminently” take his cause to the European Court of Human Rights.

Palmero had been appointed to the task of managing the personal fortune of the Prince, the Princely Family and that of the Sovereign House back in 2001, during the reign of the late Prince Rainier III. He continued working closely with the Princely Family and Prince Albert until June 2023.

Then the Palais Princier de Monaco released an official statement announcing: “Prince Albert II has accepted the decision of Mr. Claude Palmero to assert his pension rights from 12th June. Aged 67, Mr Palmero was the Administrator of the Property of the Prince and the Sovereign House since 2001. The Sovereign Prince declares: ‘I would like to thank Mr. Claude Palmero for the professionalism he has shown evidenced throughout the years spent in the administration of my property and the Sovereign House.’”

His retirement – or unfair removal from the job, as reportedly argued by Palmero and his lawyers – was linked to the so-called Rock Files, or Dossiers du Rocher, that have caused significant controversy in the Principality in recent years.

See more: Dossiers du Rocher: Homes of former officials close to Prince Albert searched

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

According to the Monaco Matin, on Monday 18th December Palmero was heard and rejected by the Supreme Court of Monaco for a second time. The newspaper has reported that Palmero’s case in this second instance took particular aim at two magistrates appointed to the court, Stéphane Braconnier and Philippe Blacher, over the summer.

In comments published online by the Monaco Matin, Palmero’s lawyers say their appointment “violates the Monegasque Constitution as well as the standards of independence and impartiality required by the Council of Europe”.

A statement from the former President of the Bar of Paris, Pierre-Olivier Sûr, who is believed to be representing Palmero, was also published by the Monaco Matin.

“VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL COMMITTMENTS”

“The Strasbourg Court [also known as the European Court of Human Rights] will be seized before the end of the year to challenge the very questionable order which was issued on 18th December 2023 by the Supreme Court of Monaco, and more generally to obtain the condemnation of the Principality before the whole of Europe for violation of its international commitments,” reportedly reads the statement.

Sûr’s statement adds that the decision to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights was also made “to force the Principality to respect in the future the principles of separation of powers, independence of justice and access to the law”.

“This will force the Principality to undertake a comprehensive constitutional reform which will finally make it possible to fight effectively against corruption, as Claude Palmero has been striving to do consistently for many years,” concludes the published statement.

No official statement has been made by the Prince’s Palace.

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Photo source: Kirsten Frosh, Unsplash

EU-made cars prioritised in updated list of vehicles eligible for France’s ‘eco bonus’

by: Stephanie Horsman

18/12/2023

An updated list of nearly 450 electric, hydrogen and hybrid vehicles that are eligible for state funding of up to €7,000 in some cases has been released by the government. Is your dream car on it?

To encourage the public at large to transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles, the French government is offering a rather generous “eco bonus” of up to €7,000 to households who invest in greener forms of personal transport.

The programme has been around since the start of 2023, but was recently expanded to include a wider range of vehicles and the new list heavily prioritises EU-made cars, vans and motorbikes.

As of 16th December, almost 450 vehicles are eligible under the scheme. They range from popular French car brands like Citroën and Peugeot to other major European marques, such as Volkswagen, Fiat, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Škoda. You can check out the complete list here.

The amount of financial aid available is means tested and varies according to the type of vehicle purchased and its environmental score. The maximum purchase price has also been set at €47,000.

For more details about the programme, click here.

Read related:

France: New €100 per month “social leasing” programme to widen access to electric vehicles

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Photo source: Abarth, Facebook

Rugby: Monaco’s Stade Louis II chosen to host Olympic ‘repechage’ stages next June

by: Stephanie Horsman

18/12/2023

Monaco and the Stade Louis II have, for the third consecutive Olympic Games, been selected as the hosts of the Rugby Sevens ‘repechage’ tournament, which will take place in June 2024.

On 15th December, World Rugby, the governing body for the rugby union, announced that the Rugby Sevens repechage tournament, which determines the last of the teams that will head to Paris for the Olympics, will be held at Stade Louis II in Monaco.

It marks the third consecutive time that the Principality has been given this honour, having hosted the event previously in 2016 before the Rio Games and in 2020 before Tokyo.

“The Olympic Games are the biggest multi-sport event in the world and a stage like no other for rugby players to share with other incredible athletes from across the globe. The prize of being able to compete for your country for an Olympic medal is an incredibly precious one and I am sure we will see some intense and passionate world class rugby in Monaco as team’s compete for those highly coveted final qualification places to achieve their Olympic dreams,” said World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont following the announcement.

In a joint statement released by Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, the Princely couple also welcomed the news warmly, saying, “It is a great honour to be hosting the Olympic qualification tournament in Monaco for the third time in a row. Rugby sevens is playing an increasingly important part in the Principality, and we are delighted to be part of this wonderful adventure. We wish the 2024 Olympic qualification tournaments great success.”

THREE DAYS OF INTENSE RUGBY

The Monaco competitions will be held over three days, from 21st to 23rd June, and will feature 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams from around the world.

Among the contenders for the final men’s places are: South Africa, Great Britain, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Uganda.

The women’s spots are equally contested, and the list of teams set to play include: Argentina, China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Kenya, Jamaica, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Samoa and Uganda.

For more information, click here.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Dozens of Christmas and New Year sea swims to take place along the Riviera

by: Stephanie Horsman

18/12/2023

Right along the Riviera, dozens of towns and cities will be hosting a festive winter swim during the holidays, including the Principality of Monaco. Here’s when and where to find them.

Cold water swimming has become huge in popularity thanks to industry icons like Wim Hof and the stream of potential benefits of the icy practice can bring, from improving immunity to decreasing inflammation.

Once favoured by Victorians, the sport is now very much back in the public eye and there are plenty of opportunities to try it out for yourself between now and New Year – albeit in the slightly milder Mediterranean than the piercingly cold waters favoured by The Ice Man.

NEAR MONACO

Just down the coast, Beaulieu-sur-Mer will be hosting a swim on Saturday 23rd December at 11am on the Plage des Fourmis. There is no charge to take part and there are changing rooms available for post-swim comfort.

In Monaco, the swim will be happening on Christmas Eve at 9.30am sharp on Larvotto beach.

There are two locations to choose from on New Year’s Day in the Alpes-Maritimes, with a dip run by local Antibes association Day One on the Plage de la Salis from 11am and a second in Golfe-Juan on the Plages du Soleil, although a time for this latter event is yet to be confirmed.

ELSEWHERE IN THE RIVIERA

The Var has some great options too, starting with a “new to the calendar” event in Saint Mandrier on Saturday 23rd December from 11.30am on the Plage du Touring. Mulled wine will be served after the swim!

Sainte-Maxime is the place to be on New Year’s Eve, with a rather organised and robust-sounding event planned for 11am. Participants should arrive at 10am for a 10.30am “muscle warm-up”. Click here for more information and to register for the very popular event.

Also on Sunday 31st December is the swim off the Plage de San Peïre in Roquebrune-sur-Argens-Issambres, which will start at 9.30am. A pre-swim dance to get warmed up is on offer as well as a competition for the funniest costumes.

The Plage du Parc in Cavalaire-sur-Mer will be the scene of a swim at 11am the same day, with snacks and mulled wine available afterwards to warm up chilly bathers in a festive way.

Le Pradet’s Plage de La Garonne will host its New Year’s Eve swim at 11am.

Finally, on New Year’s Day, swims will take place in Toulon at Anse des Pins at 11am, with a warm-up beginning at 10am, and in Bormes-les-Mimosas on the Plage de Favière from 3pm.

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Photo source: Nick Fewings, Unsplash

AS Monaco star Caio Henrique delights young fans with appearance at Christmas Village

by: Niki Borisova

18/12/2023

The AS Monaco Kids Tour stopped off at the Principality’s Christmas Village in Port Hercule over the weekend to offer a day of games, prizes and a meet-and-greet with Brazilian international Caio Henrique.

Almost 150 children turned out on Saturday 16th December to meet the popular defender, who posed for pictures and signed autographs as part of the AS Monaco Kids Tour appearance in the Christmas Village.

“It’s important to share moments like this with the children of Monaco and the surrounding area,” he said. “They are our supporters of tomorrow, the ones who will come to support us at the Stade Louis II, and we need to be close to them. It’s a real pleasure to be here today, especially in this magnificent setting with the Christmas Village right next door.”

Brazilian defender Caio Henrique posed for photographs and signed autographs for the young fans. Photo credit: AS Monaco

Those young fans were given the chance to win a raft of exciting prizes, from a signed jersey to match tickets for upcoming games featuring the Monaco side, and AS Monaco mascot Bouba was also in attendance at the event, but with an extra special festive twist to his uniform.

Engagement and entertainment

The AS Monaco Kids Tour is now in its second year. Since September, the initiative has visited 14 locations and venues in three countries and reached more than 1,300 children. Numerous players from the main team and the Academy have taken part, such as goalkeeper Philipp Köhn and defender Vanderson de Oliveira Campos.

Read related:

AS Monaco’s kids tour and special guest Caio Henrique to bring festive football cheer to Monaco’s Christmas Village

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Photo credit: AS Monaco

Day: 18 December 2023