11 ° C
Profile

Tag: monaco

Roca fall in controversial on-the-buzzer defeat

by: Luke Entwistle
29/11/2021

A last-second Lyon-Villeurbanne three-pointer condemned AS Monaco basketball to an agonising 84-85 defeat in the Euroleague, as Zvezdan Mitrovic’s men slumped to a third consecutive defeat.
After last week’s away losses against Anadolu Efes and Maccabi Tel Aviv, AS Monaco basketball returned home to the Salle Gaston Medecin on Friday to a festival atmosphere as over 4,000 fans packed the hall. That, however, wasn’t enough to rouse the Principality side as Lyon swept into an early 0-8 lead.
Mitrovic’s men quickly made up for their slow start, scoring 10 unanswered points, as the two sides finished the first quarter neck-and-neck (21-22). An energetic Lyon defence, efficient in recovering the ball, consolidated their solid defensive work with impressive attacking accuracy. A flurry of two and three pointers for Lyon saw the game slide away from Mitrovic’s men in the second quarter (19-26).
Similar to their recovery during the first quarter, AS Monaco fought back after the half-time break. Paris Lee, with his inexhaustible energy levels, was a source of great creativity as well as points for the Roca side, and his contribution was pivotal in clawing Monaco back into the game.
Mitrovic’s men’s impressive third quarter performance (22-14), which limited Lyon’s scoring opportunities, set up the game for a grand-stand finish as the sides went into the final quarter level on points. Mike James’s direct running and efficient finishing allowed Monaco to edge ahead of their French rivals. With just over one minute on the clock, Monaco had a slender two-point lead. This was quickly overturned, and by the time the clock ticked below the minute mark, Lyon led by a single point. The Salle Gaston Medecin erupted when some excellent defensive work from Lee gave the Mitrovic’s men the opportunity to edge back in-front, which was duly converted by Will Thomas.

The game looked settled as the seconds ticked away, but there was one last sting in the tail, as a long-range William Howard three-pointer from near the half-way line cruelly took the victory away from Monaco on the gong, after a lengthy referee review.
Although happy to have participated in a thriller, Mitrovic couldn’t help but address the controversial manner in which Lyon secured their victory, as the winning points were secured with only a matter of milliseconds on the clock. “It was an incredible end to the match, and tragic for us. We had the game in our hands… The referees have made their decision. Look, I’m receiving photos of the buzzer lights and the ball doesn’t seem to have left Howard’s fingers.”
AS Monaco will have to quickly get over this agonising defeat and try and get their Euroleague campaign back on track as they face Fenerbahce in Turkey on Thursday.
 
 
 
Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball
 
 
 

Lacklustre AS Monaco pick up unsatisfying draw

by: Luke Entwistle
29/11/2021

AS Monaco couldn’t back-up their midweek triumph against Real Sociedad on Sunday, as Nico Kovac’s men only managed a draw against fellow mid-table side Strasbourg, which saw them slip further adrift of the European places.
Kovac has previously questioned his players’ motivation in Ligue 1 fixtures, but this wasn’t evident in the opening stages of this fixture. Deploying a 4-4-2, AS Monaco got a lot of joy down the wings, especially down the left-wing where Ruben Aguilar and Aleksandr Golovin were producing nice combinations and providing lots of dangerous crosses.
One such cross from Aguilar found Wissam Ben Yedder in the box, who did well to control and get off a shot, which hit the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly along the line before being cleared. AS Monaco continued to dominate proceedings, and were disappointed not to receive a penalty as the ball seemingly struck the arm of a Strasbourg player in the box; to the dismay of the 3,500 strong crowd, VAR didn’t overturn the decision.
Monaco did, however, get the reward for their hard work just before the break. Kevin Volland was brought down in the box and Ben Yedder confidently converted the penalty to put the Principality side ahead on the stroke of half-time.
All of that hard work was, however, undone in an instant. Only seconds into the second-half, ex-Strasbourg player Youssouf Fofana did his former club a favour and brought down Ludovic Ajorque in the box to give the away side an unlikely route back unto the match. Ajorque then stepped up to take the penalty, and sent Aleksandr Nübel the wrong way.

What ensued was a disappointing, frustrating half of football as, despite a formation change and multiple substitutions, Kovac’s men failed to create any clear-cut opportunities to get back in-front. Volland, however, should have done better when he found himself unmarked on the edge of the box, but could only shoot tamely into the arms of Matz Sels in the Strasbourg goal. It was the shot of a striker low on confidence, and his lack of efficiency, coupled with his inability to hold the ball up, began to frustrate the home crowd, which was becoming increasingly restless as the half wore-on.
Despite their creative deficiencies, AS Monaco did muster one final opportunity. Myron Boadu, on as a substitute, found himself unmarked six yards out, but his volley, which was ultimately the final kick off the game, flew agonisingly wide. Cue the final whistle, accompanied by a chorus of boos from the dissatisfied Monaco faithful.
Kovac didn’t hide his disappointment post-match. “We weren’t at the level that we recorded three days ago against Real Sociedad… Overall, it wasn’t enough today, but the Angers match is coming up quickly, and we’ll have a new opportunity to do better.”
Kovac will be hoping for a victory away at Angers on Wednesday, which could ignite their stuttering league season, and help them close the gap on the European places.
 
 
Photo by Luke Entwistle for Monaco Life
 
 
 

CSM professor awarded for lifesaving research in cell therapy

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/11/2021

Professor Eliane Gluckman of the Scientific Centre of Monaco has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award of Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium, a very competitive award that recognises researchers who have made major contributions in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children.
The award crowns Professor Gluckman’s entire career dedicated to cell therapy research that has resulted in the life-saving treatment of children with leukemia or life-threatening hereditary diseases.
The distinction honours individuals whose work exemplifies the mission of the Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium “To support research and education to improve the availability, safety and efficacy of hematopoietic cell transplantation and other cell therapies for children and adolescents”.
The award will be announced on Pediatric Day on 3rd February 2022 during the American Transplantation and Cell Therapy Society’s 2022 Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Meetings, to be held in Salt Lake City, United States.
Following the official award ceremony, Prof. Eliane Gluckman will have the opportunity to present the main achievements of her research and provide directions for research on pediatric transplants.
 
 
 

Karl Lagerfield auction: Treasured momentos of a discerning collector

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/11/2021

From Rolls-Royces to Choupette’s scratcher, these are some of Karl Lagerfeld’s treasured momentos set to go under Sotheby’s hammer at One Monte-Carlo, and you’ll be surprised at some of the prices.
Luxury auction house Sotheby’s was entrusted with the sale of Karl Lagerfeld’s personal estate after the designer’s death from prostate cancer in 2019. The lots, gathered from his residences in France and Monaco, are an anthology of his personal taste but also of his life and career.
The lots can be viewed in person from Saturday 27th November until Thursday 2nd December at One Monte-Carlo and the first session of sales is taking place from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th December. The Monaco sale will present a broad selection of pieces, from precious art to household linens and glassware.

2017 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead coupé, source: Sotheby’s

Auction highlights include a Takashi Murakami portrait of Karl Lagerfeld estimated at between 80,000 and 120,000 euros, and a 2017 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead coupé, with a starting price of between 350,000 and 400,000 euros. Three of Lagerfeld’s Rolls Royce cars will be on display at the Fairmont Hotel until 6th December.
Not surprisingly, there is an incredible array of furniture designed by the likes of Louis Süe and André Mare, Terence Harold, and Christian Liaigre – all of which are in impeccable condition.
Art works include a Dom Pérignon Balloon Venus by Jeff Koons (20,000-30,000 euros), which comes complete with a bottle of champagne and the original box.
Dom Pérignon Balloon Venus by Jeff Koons, source: Sotheby’s

There a many personal items created at the hand of Karl Lagerfeld, such as a pencil self-portrait signed “KL à NY oct 86” (2,000 – 3,000 euros), while three inspirational “scrapbook” notebooks from the mid-80s provide a window into the magnificent mind of the designer. One with a cotton blanket is inscribed “Lagerfeld, man’s perfume, pub ideas 86”, and includes newspaper clippings and handwritten notes; another has newspaper articles and notes; and the third features some felt-tip sketches and an adhesive label “Karl Lagerfeld” on the cover (3,000 to 5,000 euros).
Three inspirational and “scrapbook” notebooks, mid-80s, source: Sotheby’s

With over a thousand items going under the hammer, Lagerfeld fans have a real chance of getting their hands on some of the designer’s personal items, including a set of five pairs of glasses adapted to Karl Lagerfeld’s vision for a starting bid of just 100-150 euros.
Lagerfeld’s signature look is also up for grabs, with numerous black jackets, matching lambskin gloves and sunglasses selling for an estimated 2,000 – 4,000 euros.
Dior Black and Multicolor Wool Jacket, circa 2000, comes with Causse gold lambskin pair of gloves and E.B. Meyrowitz sunglasses, source: Sotheby’s

Among the more bizarre lots is a personalised scratching pad for his beloved cat Choupette (50-100 euros), a plastic construction helmet with Karl Lagerfeld’s profile (50-100 euros), and numerous Lagerfeld figurines.
Bids can be made in person at One Monte-Carlo by telephone for estimates above 4,000 euros, or online.
So, who is set to benefit from the auction and inherit the fortune that it raises? It is not Choupette, his precious blue-cream tortie Birman cat, although that would be simpler. In his will are seven heirs who will share the fortune: Sebastien Jondeau, Lagerfeld’s famously handsome bodyguard, who was once a model; Baptiste Giabiconi, one of Lagerfeld’s favourite models; Caroline Lebar, one of Lagerfeld’s longest serving employees who worked on his public relations team; Francoise Cacote, his housekeeper and the personal maid of his cat, Choupette; father and son models Brad and Hudson Koenig, the latter of whom is Lagerfeld’s godson; and finally Jake Davies, a Yorkshire-born model who starred in several campaigns.
But the person responsible for executing Lagerfeld’s will – his “trusted” accountant of many decades Lucien Frydlender – has disappeared for “health reasons”. So who knows when the estate will be finalised.
The auction in Monaco will be followed by another Sotheby’s auction in Paris on 14th and 15th December.
To view all of the Monaco auction items, click here.
 
 
 
Top photo source: Sotheby’s
 
 
 
 

Masks outdoors, no dancing, health pass for terraces

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2021

As Monaco gears up for Christmas celebrations, the government has announced that it will reinstate a number of restrictions due to an unprecedented rise in Covid circulation throughout the Principality.
Minister of State Pierre Dartout made the announcement in a press conference on Friday, saying the reinforcement of measures was designed to prevent the need for another lockdown.
Dartout said that from Saturday 27th November, masks will once again be mandatory outdoors, at all times, everywhere in Monaco.
Come Monday 29th, the validity of PCR tests will be reduced from 72 to 24 hours, a move that France initiated on Thursday as a way of encouraging more people to get vaccinated.
Working from home is also again “highly recommended” in the private and public sectors.
Brakes pulled on parties
Just as Monaco is gearing up for Christmas celebrations, the government also announced that standing cocktails and drinks is suspended in establishments from Monday; so too is dancing and karaoke.
Slowing the spread in schools
Restrictions have been reintroduced in schools, namely the wearing of masks for indoor sports, except for competitions, and the suspension of school swimming lessons. Combat and contact sports are also not allowed.
Health pass rule extended
Also from Monday 29th, the measures initially planned for 1st December will come into force, including the need for a health pass to consume inside and on the terrace of restaurants and bars. This also applies to young people aged 16 to 18.
The health pass will be required to access performance halls and meeting spaces when there are more than 300 people. This concerns, in particular, the Opera, the Princess Grace Theater and the Grimaldi Forum.
“In view of the epidemic rebound, the Government plans for 15th December to extend the obligation of the health pass to all people who work in places where the pass is required for the public who access it. This concerns restaurants, bars, nightclubs, as well as the Stade Louis II, the Grimaldi Forum and the Opera in particular,” said the government in a statement.
Spiraling health situation
The reinstatement of restrictions is due to a tripling of the incidence rate in three weeks, which is now as high as 346, and a positivity rate that has gone from 1.5 to 3.5%.
The new measures will last until at least 20th December.
 
 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 
 

After 5G comes Pro Fibre

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/11/2021

Monaco Telecom is launching its new Pro Fibre network for local businesses, boasting new terminals that reach internet speeds of up to an 10Gbps. By the start of 2022, all companies in the country will be eligible to be on this super-fast network.
Ultra-high-speed fibre optic service has come to the Principality with the unveiling of Monaco Telecom’s Pro Fibre plan using the most powerful equipment on the market, giving internet speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Following up on the 2019 launch of 5G, the deployment of this latest technological advance is in line with the precepts of the Extended Monaco programme, with 80% of companies already authorised to use it, with the aim of reaching 100% from 2022.
“For the more than 4,000 Monegasque companies, the quality of their digital infrastructure has become a factor of competitiveness,” explains Martin Perronet, Managing Director of Monaco Telecom, in a statement. “With the launch of Fibre Pro, we are supporting them in this transition. Our ambition is to make Monaco the first 100% Fibre 10 Gbps Country from the start of 2022.”
The new system offers improved speed and stability, along with minimal latency for smooth exchanges of data. Connectivity is optimised through a new WiFi box, the most powerful currently available on the market. This allows several devices to be connected without degrading bandwidth.
“Fibre Pro is a competitive issue for our companies. Associated with the Sovereign Cloud, it allows our economy to reap all the benefits of the digital transformation. This is a new step for our model in the post-Covid world,” says Frédéric Genta, Interministerial delegate in charge of the digital transition of the Principality of Monaco.
In terms of security and environmental credibility, this system meets Monaco’s stringent standards. Monaco Telecom has been a signatory of the National Pact for the Digital Transition since May 2019, obliging the company to take steps to go as green as possible.
“Fibre Pro has been designed to meet the performance, security and continuity challenges of businesses and professionals in the Principality,” says Peronnet. “It is also sustainable: its carbon footprint, as certified by Bureau Veritas, is 21% lower than equivalent boxes. All Monaco Telecom for Business teams are mobilised to support the digital transformation of our customers.”
The boxes are made from 100% recycled plastic and are designed to be reconditioned rather than replaced, making them even more eco-friendly in the long run.
 
 
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash