Day: 29 February 2024

In a closely contested match at the Paris La Défense Arena, AS Monaco withstood a formidable comeback from Nanterre 92 to claim an 80-86 win, with Mike James delivering a standout performance.

The high stakes Betclic Elite league fixture, which took place on 28^th February, attracted a record crowd of over 15,000.

In a game of fluctuating momentum, AS Monaco, led by Mike James’ career-high 31 points, initially dominated, but saw their 18-point lead diminish as Nanterre rallied in the final quarter before a home crowd.

Nanterre, led by Justin Bibbins, managed to narrow the gap to a single possession. Yet, guided by coach Sasa Obradovic and powered by Mike James’ key plays in the final moments, AS Monaco held off the surge to take the important victory.

Reflecting on the match, James said, “Nanterre has one of the teams with the most quality in our league. It’s obviously a challenge to manage all these competitions, the important thing is to keep up the pace and stay healthy.”

The Monegasque side will now be looking ahead to their next away game, this time in the Euroleague, against FC Barcelona on Friday 1^st March.

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Photo credit: AS Monaco Basketball

Monaco’s bobsleigh pilot, Boris Vain, has marked a historic achievement at the 2024 BMW IBSF World Championships, clinching the best World Championship result for bobsleigh sport in over 20 years for Monaco. Alongside push athlete Antoine Riou, Vain secured seventh place in the two-man bobsleigh event, captivating enthusiasts worldwide with their stellar performance.

The last time Monaco saw such success was in 2004 when Patrice Servelle and Sébastien Gattuso finished fourth at the two-man Bobsleigh World Championships held in Königssee, Germany.

Boris Vain, known for his remarkable athleticism and determination, previously made waves as the push athlete for Rudi Rinaldi, leading Monaco to its best Olympic result. At the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, the Monegasques clinched a remarkable sixth place, showcasing Monaco’s prowess on the international bobsleigh stage.

Bobsleigh holds a significant place in Monaco’s sporting history, with Prince Albert II of Monaco contributing to its legacy. Under the name Albert Grimaldi, Prince Albert participated in five Winter Olympic Games from 1988 to 2002, representing Monaco as a bobsleigh pilot in Calgary (Canada), Albertville (France), Lillehammer (Norway), Nagano (Japan), and Salt Lake City (USA). Prince Albert also had the honor of carrying his nation’s flag in the 1988, 1994, and 2002 Olympic Games, cementing Monaco’s presence in the global bobsleigh arena.

Looking ahead, pilot Boris Vain is poised to continue making waves in the bobsleigh world as he gears up to compete in the four-man bobsleigh event at the BMW ISBF World Championships in Winterberg, scheduled for 2^nd to 3^rd March.

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Photo: Boris Vain (left) and Antoine Riou (right), source IBSF