SEEN Sport Magazine Issue No. 7

www.seensportmagazine.com Issue No. 7

GAﾃ記 FICKOU The brightest young star in french rugby CLAUDIO RANIERI // AS MONACO // SERGEY KOVALEV // NY YANKEES // PSG // FORMULA 1

ISSU

04

may 2

PORTFOLIO 04

18

36

46

36

New York Yankees New York photographer, Rob Tringali documents the highs and lows of a frustrating 2012 campaign.

Paris St Germain A portfolio of some of the best images captured during PSG’s memorable championship winning season PSG Ultras A closer look at the rift between the PSG Ultras and the Qatari owners that continues to tear the Parisian club apart.

FEATURES 18

64

54

Gaël Fickou We reflect on the massive impact that the young rugby prodigy Gaël Fickou has had on French rugby in his first season in the Top 14.

AS Monaco A captavating look at the re-emergence of AS Monaco from Ligue 2 to the top tier of French football.

EDITORIAL 92

72

Samba Football Back in Vogue Can Luis Felipe Scolari inspire ‘The Canarinha’ to yet another famous victory in the Confederations Cup?

This issue of SEEN Sport Magazine is fantastic photo shoots and has a very

The cover story for our Summer issue i to become a household name and po Toulousain centre Gaël Fickou discuss his aspirations for the future and going

The return to prominence of AS Mon world. We were invited to chat exclus and witness the revival taking place a Rouge et Blanche set their sights on b

We pick the best photos taken durin by contributor, Eoin Mundow who ca and the brilliance of majestic Zlatan look at the volatile relationship betwee hierarchy.

Traveling further a field we have som from around the world including a stu York Yankees 2012 World Series camp Cup due to take place in Brazil this Su to shoot Formula One and finally we Sergey Kovalev, the most avoided figh

As always we would like to thank ev exciting to work on, we hope you enjo

SEEN Spo

EDITOR Karen Reid | editor@seensportmagazine.com | FEATURES EDITOR

WORDS Eoin Mundow, Ryan Colley | PHOTOGRAPHY

UE 7

2013

s packed full of wonderful interviews, French flavour.

INTERVIEWS 26

Gaël Fickou Meet the 19 year-old centre who is taking French rugby by storm and looks set to become a global star.

64

Claudio Ranieri Back in the big time, the AS Monaco Manager discusses “The Project” and his ambiton to develop a team of champions.

72

Emir Bajrami AS Monaco midfielder talks about life at the Ligue 2 champions and looks forward to facing fellow Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic next seaon.

76

Sergey Kovalev Having overcome a tragedy in the ring.

Boxing’s most avoided fighter is back with a vengeancenext seaon.

is French rugby’s newest star, destined ossibly rugby’s next superstar. Stade ses his first season as a senior player, g head to head with the All Blacks.

naco has made headlines around the sively with their coach Claudio Ranieri at the La Turbie training centre as “Les becoming Europe’s best team.

ng Paris Saint Germain’s epic season aptured the debut of David Beckham, Ibrahimovich. We also took a closer en infamous PSG Ultras and the clubs

me engaging features and interviews unning portfolio documenting the New paign, a preview of the Confederations ummer, the low down on what it’s like met Russian light heavyweight Boxer hter in the world.

veryone who has made this issue so oy iit as much as we did!

ort Team

86

76

92

SPOTLIGHT 86

Jurgen Tap - Shooting Formula One Playboys, pit girls & champagne? An insight into life behind the lens on the Formula 1 circuit.

TRAVEL 100

Monaco A portflio of images from the most glamourous sports destination in the world.

100

R Eoin Mundow | editorial@seensportmagazine.com | DESIGNER Karen Reid

Y Eoin Mundow, Jurgen Tap, Presse Sports, Rob Tringali

Cover: Gaël Fickou Photo by Eoin Mundow

PORTFOLIO

NEW YORK YANKEES

The New York Yankees are one of America’s most iconic sport brands. Their defeat in the semi-finals of the world series last season to the Detroit Tigers was a humbling experience and noone felt the backlash of the publics anger more than the controversial superstar Alex A-Rod Rodriguez.

This season the expectations of the fans and media are at an all time low. Top stars such as Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and A-Rod have all been missing from the squad through injury, whilst several key players including Nick Swisher and Russell Martin have now departed.

The Yankees however are not a team to rest on their laurels and this season they have bounced back and against the odds they are on top of the American League East winning 19 out of 19 matches thanks to the fine form of new stars such as left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuno and the best second baseman in baseball and future hall of fame 30-year-old Robinson Cano.

General manager Brian Cashman stands defiant and has total confidence that his team can come back stronger this season. “We've made a lot of enemies the last 20 years. People want to take advantage if we're down. Our job is to say we're not down.

Our job is to prove we're not down. Our job is to find a way and we expect to do that."

We take a look back at some of the iconic images shot by New York based photographer and baseball enthusiast Rob Tringali that encapsulated the mood and spirit of the Yankees disappointing 2012 season.

Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of Manhattan. 27/07/12.

06 | SEEN Sport Magazine

Robinson Cano #24 returns to the dugout during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Manhattan. 27/07/12.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 07

Members of the New York Yankees stand for the National Anthem prior to the start of Game One of the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers. Yankee Stadium. 13/10/12

(Top) Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees kneels down at the on-deck circle before his at-bat during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park. Baltimore, Maryland. 14/05/12.

(Right) Curtis Granderson #14 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park.

Baltimore, Maryland. 14/05/12.

10 | SEEN Sport Magazine

Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. 20/04/12.

Ivan Nova #47 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Boston Red Sox. Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. 20/04/12.

FEATURE

GAﾃ記 FICKOU

Text, Interview & Photos by Eoin Mundow

GAËL FICKOU Every sport needs a new icon; a new star to move their chosen sport forward. With French rugby floundering, following a miserable Six Nations, Gaël Fickou ticks all the right boxes. Good looking, well mannered, supremely talented and grounded, he has all the attributes to become the marketing man’s dream leading up to the Rugby World Cup in 2016. The big question is can he make it?

Gaël Fickou represents the future of French rugby. Blessed with

hand just what the young centre was capable of and spoke

a wonderful mixture of speed, guile and maturity, the 19-year-old

in glowing terms following his team’s defeat. “He’s the next

Stade Toulousain centre was propelled into the spotlight this

Wesley Fofana, isn’t he?” “He looks fantastic. He’s big, he’s

season after his match winning performance against Leicester

rangy, he’s going to fill out further and he’s got good accelera-

Tigers in the Heineken Cup.

tion. He’s certainly one to watch.”

Having played only a handful of senior games in the Top 14,

With all the adulation, predictably there came a certain amount

Fickou lit up the Stade Municipal in Toulouse on his European

of skepticism from some sections of the foreign media. France

debut, scoring a wonderful opportunistic try that belied his

has managed to produce one fantastic centre after another,

years and more impressively, he defended with such vigour

so the emergence of yet another prolific talent from the highly

that he rendered the attacking prowess of the much-heralded

acclaimed National Rugby Centre (CNR) in Marcoussis is no sur-

England International Manu Tuilagi impotent.

prise. One English magazine went as far as making the bizarre

Following his scintillating showing the young centre from the

analogy that Fickou faces the very real possibility of becoming

Cote D’Azur was quickly ordained as the most promising rugby

just another failed prodigy like the much troubled Danny Cipriani.

player of his generation.

Not since Frederic Michalak burst onto the scene at the turn of the millennium has there been such a fuss made over a French

The French media cooed and even a few English journalists

prospect. Back then rugby was going through a transformation,

and former players stuck their necks on the line, lavishing him

breaking free of the cash starved amateur days and flourishing,

with high praise. Leicester’s Toby Flood had witnessed first

following the birth of the commercial success of Max Guazzini’s

20 | SEEN Sport Magazine

homoerotic “Gods of the Stadium” calender. Suddenly Michalak

In the summer of 2012 the stage was set for him to make a big

and his Stade Toulousain team mates Vincent Clerc and

impression in the Top 14. However, with his first team chances

Clement Poitrenaud were transformed into the poster boys of

at Toulon increasingly limited, following the signing of Maxime

French society.

Mermoz from Perpignan, he understood that if he wanted to make the transition from the espoirs to the senior game there

Fickou however appears to a very different character. At 6 foot

was only one choice - to leave Toulon. Having garnered the

3 and weighing just over fourteen stone, he has all the physi-

attention of a host of clubs, the nineteen-year-old decided to

cal attributes required to excel in his chosen field and cuts an

leave his hometown, family and friends and take up a new chal-

imposing figure. It quickly becomes apparent during the first of

lenge with French champions, Stade Toulousain. Veteran coach

our many meetings over the course of the season that despite

Guy Noves had long been an admirer of Fickou and had no

his towering exterior he is quite shy. Meticulously polite and

hesitation in offering him the platform to shine and the opportu-

well mannered, he is one of seven siblings and his family are

nity to play first team rugby. Renowned for his enthusiasm and

never far from his mind.

his gift for inspiring and guiding young players, Noves and his

During our photo shoot he asks if he can send a picture to his

assistant, former French international Jean- Baptiste Ellisalde,

mother to show her what he’s up to. Of course I oblige and he

have played a pivotal role in helping the precocious young

appears to be genuinely happy that his loved ones can share

talent reach his potential this season. Since arriving in the medi-

in his success. He is very laid back and harbours no aspirations

eval city his rugby career has flourished.

to become a sex symbol like his predecessors. Whilst he is enjoying the attention of the fans and media, his sole focus is

His agent is also a constant presence in the teenager’s life.

to become the best centre in french rugby.

He is very hands on in all aspects of the young players career

It’s safe to say that there is very little chance of seeing the bash-

including dealing with the media, sponsorship opportunities

ful teenager strutting around the pink city with a transgender

and contract negotiations. He acts as friend, confidant and

girlfriend or dressed as the wrestler Gold Dust in a full black

protector to Fickou and their relationship resembles that of an

cat suit and going head to head with a double decker bus like

older brother shielding his younger sibling from the transition of

certain former England prodigy.

waving goodbye to adolescence and facing the trials and tribulations of adulthood. I’m told by his agent that the it’s important

Like so many young kids growing up in the Cote D’Azur he

not to overexpose Gaël in the media, his still very young and

supported Marseille and idolised Zinedine Zidane. However

besides his press obligations with the club his sole focus is to

the lure to play rugby was greater than his love of soccer. He

develop as an athlete and not to become sidetracked by all the

became seduced by the integrity and founding principles of

hype surrounding him.

rugby “the valour, combat and camaraderie” between team mates. Along with his close friends he enjoyed the physical

As the season has progressed Fickou has grown in confidence

demands and competitiveness of the sport and at ten years old

and in stature. Toulouse may not be the top team in France

he joined his local team US Seynoise in La Seyne-sur-Mer. At

or Europe anymore, but the experience he has gained in his

sixteen having caught the attention of Racing Club Toulon, he

first year in the Top 14 has been invaluable. The former captain

was snapped up and became a valued member of their highly

of the Toulon junior team, has stayed focused and impressed

regarded rugby academy. As his meteoric rise continued, he

many by scoring some eye catching tries and looks like the

represented his country at the under 18’s world championship

natural successor to outgoing stalwart Yannick Jauzion. Along

in Madrid and his stunning try against Ireland quickly became

with all the positive energy he has received in the last twelve

a You Tube highlight amongst ardent French rugby fanatics.

months, he has also had to come to terms with the negative

His performance in that tournament prompted Wales defence

aspects of the game. In November 2012 after being picked by

coach Shaun Edwards to make a prophetic prediction about the

French national coach Philippe Saint-André to join the senior

young centre “I’ve seen the future and it runs, tackles, scores

squad, embittered Toulon coach Bernard Laporte felt the urge

tries and is called Gaël Fickou.” he wrote in his rugby column

to lambast the young player, questioning his loyalty after he

in The Guardian.

left the club in acrimonious circumstances. What should have

22 | SEEN Sport Magazine

“ I like to work hard, I like to understand what I do on the pitch and I want to improve every day�

been a proud moment for the youngster had clearly reopened

my agent. The only topic was “What would be the best for my

old scars. Incandescent with rage Laporte let his feelings be

career”.

known in no uncertain terms during an interview on the French

That career defining decision to leave his old club has paid

Radio station RMC. He lamented the amateurish way in which

dividends for the nineteen-year old. Although he may not have

former Toulon coach Saint-André had failed to negotiate proper

won any trophies this year and suffered the bitter disappoint-

terms with the young star and stated that he was astounded

ment of losing to his former club Toulon in the semi final of the

that a wonderful prospect or “Nugget” like Fickou was simply

Top 14, he can draw comfort from the fact that his try scoring

allowed to slip away to a rival without a battle to keep him at

exploits for Les Rouge et Noir have earned him a place in the

the club. After his stinging rebuke of Saint-André, Laporte took

national team. His fine try scoring performances against Racing

aim at Fickou. He launched into a vitriolic tirade, questioning

Metro in the league and that brilliant try-saving tackle against

the young players loyalty, courage and even the legitimacy of

Ospreys Ashley Beck in the Heineken Cup, were glimpses of

the transfer. “He lacked courage at times, especially with me”

magic that only go to reinforce the opinion of many in the game,

he snapped, adding that one “Should not lie in life, (and) must

that this kid is very special. It’s easy to recognise Gaël Fickou’s

be legit”.

undoubted talent, it’s self evident. The hard work, focus and

Unmoved by the criticism levelled at him, Fickou did not give

dedication that he invests into his own development as a player

the comments of the Toulon coach much credence. He was rid-

over the coming years will define whether or not he has the

ing the crest of a wave and looking forward to the future. It was

ability to fulfil his potential. A likeable young man, he appears

not something that he needed to dwell on but the young cen-

to be very well grounded and non-plussed by all the attention.

tre was happy to explain his motives. “It was a difficult choice

Whether he becomes rugby’s next global superstar is not of

to move to Toulouse. I discussed it a lot with my family, with

great importance to him, that’s something that only the public,

24 | SEEN Sport Magazine

sponsors and media can decide.

this season in the Top 14 he has definitely converted many of

In the new age of social media, he is engaging with and attract-

his detractors to take a leap of faith and become believers in

ing a new fan base to the game. Like many of his fans he enjoys

his natural ability.

playing FIFA on his playstation and they can relate to him, he

He is the first to admit that he has a long way to go, it’s only the

clearly has the potential to become a crossover star in France.

beginning of what he hopes will be a long and accomplished

When I ask him about the disparity in wages between top flight

career, but with 3 test matches against the mighty All Blacks

rugby players and today’s soccer players he laughs. Whilst he

coming up this month the teenager from La Seyne-sur-Mer

admits that it’s always nice to receive a little more in your pay

has the opportunity to rise to the occasion against the world

packet, he does not want rugby to lose it’s soul and become

cup winners New Zealand and prove he has what it takes to

just about the money, like football.

become rugby’s future MVP.

There have been many comparisons made between Fickou and former or current rugby stars, but ask the youngster who he his rugby idol is and you will draw a blank. When I rephrase my question - who is your favourite sports star - his face lights up. “Oh Adrian Peterson, il est le meilleur!”

If Fickou could emulate anyone’s style and success it would be the Minnesota Vikings running back. Like Peterson he is blessed with blistering pace and a raw athleticism that enables

Clothes supplied by Bec Fin, 28, rue des Marchands, Toulouse.

Locations: Crowne Plaza, Grand Hotel, Place du Capitole and Grand Balcon, 8-10 Rue Romiguieres, Toulouse.

him to breach the tightest of defences and wow the spectators.

He may not have a swanky nickname like “Purple Jesus”, but

SEEN Sport Magazine | 25

INTERVIEW

GAﾃ記 FICKOU

Gaﾃｫl Fickou races p

past Olly Barkley to score a try for Stade Toulousain against Racing Metro in the Top 14 match at Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse, 1/10/12.

Interview & Photos by Eoin Mundow

You spent your formative years at

in la Seyne/mer. My brother Jeremie is

prepared to train with the best players

Toulon. Did you find it frustrating that

still playing there, he plays prop and I’m

of Top 14. Many of them are part of the

you were never given the chance to be

very close to him. When I have a break in

national team. That’s the best motivation

involved in the senior team?

Top 14, I like to be back there, most of my

to ensure you give your best and play the

During my last season in Toulon, I was in

friends live there, even if now I’m living in

best rugby.

Marcoussis with Pole France, so every

Toulouse where I found a “new” family!

Do you feel any pressure on you follow-

week; I had to be in Paris from Monday to

ing the media frenzy proclaiming you as

Thursday. It was difficult in that case to be

What has been the major difference

the next “Rugby Superstar”?

involved because I was not training with

between playing and training with

It’s always good to hear that. But I know

the professional team during the week.

Toulouse as opposed to Toulon?

where I come from, I know where I am

It’s difficult to make comparisons as I

now and I‘m aware of what I need to do

What was life like growing up on the

trained for only two weeks with the pro-

to stay at the highest level. My behaviour

Cote D’Azur?

fessional squad in Toulon last season. It

is still the same: I know I need to work

I spent my life in La Seyne/Mer, just close

was very interesting to work with players

hard and stay focused on rugby. I have

to Toulon in the Sablettes area, where

like Johnny Wilkinson. You want to be

my family, my friends, and my agent who

my family still live. I really enjoyed the

able to play very good rugby and to be

support me and are there to make sure I

benefits of the sea and the sun. It’s great

at their level. Ultimately the main point

stay focused on that. In addition to that I

for a young guy to spend good times

with Toulouse is that every day you must

also have Guy Noves and Jean-Baptiste

with friends and family. I started rugby

concentrate, you must be fit and be fully

Elissalde, always reminding me that I must

28 | SEEN Sport Magazine

“I know where I come from, I know where I am now and I‘m aware of what I need to do to stay at the highest level.”

from Toulon. Did you pay much atten-

of rugby, I have found lots of people who

tion to his comments? It was a difficult

welcome me warmly. When I arrived in

choice to move to Toulouse. I discussed

Toulouse, I was looked after well and in

it a lot with my family, with my agent. The

good hands with Vincent and Yannick

only topic was “What would be the best

Nyanga.

for my career”. But at the end of the day, I’m the only one who took the decision.

You are a talented athlete, what made

And I have no regret, I found a very good

you choose Rugby over soccer or any

club, I have been called by Philippe Saint

other sport you excelled at?

Andre a first time in October and played

I started sport with soccer. But a lot

my first cap vs. Scotland. Life is a question

of my friends played rugby. I followed

of choice. I chose to leave my family, my

them one day and found this sport very

work and work. The road is long. I have

friends, my “place” for Toulouse. It was

interesting.

not played more than 9 months in Top14.

not easy. Regarding Bernard Laporte,

A career is long and when I see players

I’m the only one, with my family and my

The wages in football are crazy; do you

like Vincent Clerc, Yannick Jauzion, that

agent to know what happened. I have an

ever think you will see a day where

reminds me that I need to continue work-

easy conscience about that. I did things

young players such as will draw the

ing hard.

properly and some people from the club

same earning power?

called me to tell me they understood my

The wages are really big in soccer. Even if

Who helps keep you grounded and

choice. It is now past for me, I’m focused

wages are lower in Rugby, we are spoiled

focused?

on Toulouse and I’m happy here.

people. We are paid to do what we lov and

My coaches, my family, my brother. But

the pay is not too bad! Rugby is only big

honestly, I like to work hard, I like to con-

What do you feel you have learned since

in France, the UK, Ireland, South Africa,

tinue to learn on the pitch and I want to

joining Toulouse?

Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

improve every day. I’m sure that if I keep

Conditioning, high standards in all

Soccer is everywhere in the World. That’s

high standards in my day-to-day training,

aspects of my rugby: nutrition, physio, the

also why I know I need to stay humble.

there is no reason why I won’t succeed.

club give us all the tools to be focused on

But humility is important. I also know that

rugby. We know the story of the club. The

What did you think of David Beckham

everything can change tomorrow. I try to

ambition is to play the 2 competitions and

joining PSG?

stay positive. In Toulouse, there is a long

to win something every year. It means that

He is a great player and it was good for

tradition of International players. I have

you don’t want to make club principals

French Ligue 1 to have a star like him.

really done nothing so far. Let’s see what

disappointed. This club breaths rugby, it’s

Stadiums are full, everybody wanted to

happens at the end of the season.

steeped in history, with all their capped

see him play with PSG. That’s funny.

players. It is my duty to give everything Have you been in any weird situations

to them. You learn also that wherever

You were picked for the French six

since your newfound fame? Do you find

you play, the teams want “to beat Stade

nations squad but missed most of the

it strange being recognised?

Toulousain”, which means you cannot be

tournament through injury. Do you think

Of course, people recognise me more

weak when you are on the pitch. That’s

you could have made a big difference?

easily now, especially because Toulouse

very exciting.

It is always frustrating not to be eligible

is a rugby city. But people are really nice

to play because of an injury. Not only one

and kind. And I like to give people some

Who has influenced you most at

player can change this situation, I would

of my time, that’s something normal for

Toulouse since you joined?

have tried to give everything. Bastareaud,

me.

On the pitch Vincent (Clerc), Luke

and Fritz played well. If Florian did not

Bernard Laporte questioned your loyalty

(McAlister), Yannick (Nyanga) and

have this injury, I would not have been

an integrity following your departure

Florian(Fritz) as they play centre. Outside

called.Once you taste life in the national

SEEN Sport Magazine | 29

Manu Tuilagi of Leicester is tackled by Gaël Fickou during the Heineken Cup match between Stade Toulouse and Leicester Tigers at Stade Municipal in Toulouse, France, 14/10/12.

team you want to be back.

at this level. “Work, work and work” was

What is the morale like in the squad?

the promise of Guy Noves when I first met

Really good atmosphere, the players were

In the final game against Scotland you

him: “I promise you 3 things: work, work

dissappointed not to have won more than

were chosen to represent France. What

and work”.

one game. We must build on that experi-

was the feeling like lining up for the

ence and we must come through !

national anthem and being involved

Do you feel the demise of the French

albeit briefly playing out the final

team has been greatly exaggerated?

I understand a few of the players box

moments of the match?

People are passionate. They want us to be

at Stade Toulousain. Is there player in

It was a very emotional moment for me.

perfom well on the pitch. We did not play

particular that you wouldn’t want to get

You think about all the effort you have

our best rugby, but it is a team with new

into a fight with?

made, your family in the stadium, all

players, it is a decisive period for French

Census Johnstone !

these people who were behind you. That

national team. We must integrate new

was a very emotional moment. I was only

players but keep the high standards and

What does the future hold for Gael

the pitch for a short time, but it was very

ambition. We must be patient. We must

Fickou?

intense. It gives you an idea what it takes

stay ambitious, but people must under-

Winning the Brennus and many other

to play at the highest level of rugby and

stand we will do everything to come back

titles I hope.

reminds you how hard it is to go on playing

stronger.

30 | SEEN Sport Magazine

How did you feel losing to your former

used me when they thought the condi-

This time last year did you imagine you

club Toulon in the Semi Final of the Top

tions were right and it helped to develop

would be facing Dan Carter and Richie

14?

my game. I think I started well, the Top 14

McCaw?

Of course I was disappointed, we really

is a physical championship, with a long

This time last year, I just wanted to play

wanted to finish the season better. But

season. As I played more games, I gained

with U20 and was working hard to be

there are no excuses, Toulon were better

more experience especially playing in the

able play some games in the first 23 with

than us. The fact I had to leave the game

Heineken Cup and 1/4 and Semi finals of

Toulouse. We all expect to play one day

early with a back injury was more disap-

the Top 14. It was definitely a very inter-

for the big team. I have to say it came

pointing, But I now I have a big challenge

esting season.

sooner than expected. I’m just happy and enjoying my rugby, doing everything I can

with the national team. I’m here in New Zealand thanks to the club and I want to

How do you think France will compete

give them back what they gave to me.

against the might of the All Blacks?

to stay here now !

It will be tough but we will do everything

If you play do you have anything special

How would you assess your first season

to compete and play good rugby. It is

planned when facing the Haka of the All

in the Top 14?

something special. Against All Blacks, we

Blacks?

I had the chance to start games sooner

never know how it will be and of course

I did not think about that to be honest.

than I thought. Guy Noves and JB Elissalde

they are the world champions.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 31

Gaël Fickou on a lap of honour after his try scoring performance. Stade Toulousain v Racing Metro, Top 14 Quarter Final 2013, The Stadium, Toulouse, France. 10/05/ 13.

(Top Left) Gaël Fickou of Toulouse takes on Dimitri Szarsewski of Racing Metro.

(Bottom Left) Gaël Fickou of Toulouse stands with his young niece and god daughter as he conducts a post match interview with Canal+.

GaĂŤl Fickou runs out of the players tunnel and onto the pitch before the Top 14 quarter final against Racing Metro 92 at the Stadium, Toulouse, France 10/05/13.

PORTFOLIO

PARIS ST GERMAIN

PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic rises high above Dany Alves and Cesc Fabregas of Barcelona to head the ball towards goal, during the Champions League 1/4 Final second leg match at the Nou Camp, 10/04/13.

T

he rise of Paris Saint Germain back to the summit of French football has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. Having clinched their first Ligue 1 title since 1994 with a 1-0 away victory over Olympique Lyonnais on May 12, Les Parisiens are ready to stake their claim as one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Thanks to the major investment by the clubs owners, the Qatar Investment Authority, PSG have managed to capture the imagination of the French public and raise the profile of Ligue 1 this season with a mixture of wonderful football, commercial ingenuity and some very public bust ups.

Les Rouge-et-Bleu achieved a stunning media coup in January when they secured the services of soccer’s most iconic figures David Beckham. Deemed as a marketing masterstroke, the addition of the former England captain appeared to have a profound impact on the pitch as well as off it. Though his 38-year-old legs could not carry him as quickly as he had hoped, his vision and sheer presence helped transform the morale of a star-studded team who appeared to be losing their way during mid season.

(Left) David Beckham makes his debut for PSG against Marseille. (Bottom) PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu in a reflective mood.

(Left) Zlatan Ibrahimovic contols the ball during the Ligue 1 match against Toulouse. (Top) PSG Coach, Carlo Ancelotti.

Struggling to break free of rivals Marseille and Lyon at Christmas period, the aristocrats of Boulogne found a new lease of life and started to play with a renewed vigour once Beckham arrived. Zlatan Ibrahimovic moved up another gear scoring more stunning goals and reaffirmed his cult status as the “King of PSG”.

Young up and coming stars like Marco Veratti, Javier Pastore, Thiago Motta and French international Blaise Matuidi stepped out of the shadows and began to shine as they competed against Europe’s finest teams in the Champions League.

Since winning the title David Beckham announced his retirement and Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his desire to leave and take over as Real Madrid coach. Life at PSG is far from dull. No sooner has the ink dried on rewriting the club’s history, then a new and no doubt more ostentatious chapter begins.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 41

Thiago Motto takes on Xavi Hernandez of Barca during the Champions League 1/4 final match at the Nou Camp, 10/04/13.

42 | SEEN Sport Magazine

Ezequiel Lavezzi attacks for PSG.

PSG midfielder Javier Pastore takes on Sergio Busquets of Barcelona.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 43

Zlatan Ibrahimovich of PSG screams out in pain as he is fouled by Andre Ayew of Marseille.

PORTFOLIO

PSG ULTRAS

PSG fans chant in support of their team.

Text & Photos by Eoin Mundow

‘ICI C’EST PARIS’ Money can buy you everything, apart from love and class.

With their status assured as a leading light in European football on the pitch, PSG’s president Nasser al-Khelaifi was playing with fire when he decided to choose the famous Trocadero district as the focal point for his team’s title winning celebrations.

What was supposed to be a fantastic photo opportunity underneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, quickly descended into a PR disaster as a small group of PSG Ultras ran riot smashing shop windows and intimidating the respectable Paris Saint Germain fans who had come to cheer on their heroes. The ugly scenes that unfolded were a stark reminder that hooliganism is on the rise in French football. The Ultras have long been associated with the far right. They are not however motivated by politics, purely by the hatred for being ostracized by the club’s former president Robin Leproux and the love of violence.

Their vociferous and sustained attack against the police and the new owners reflects however the discord between the “cousu d’or” – stinking rich and the disenfranchised population who struggle financially from day to day in France’s capital city.

800 riot police were on hand to try and quell the unrest, but they were easily over run. In the carnage that followed 21 people were arrested, 30 people injured and for a brief moment the eyes of the world were given an enlightening insight into the social problems that blight the country and the disaffection that the Ultras harbor for the new owners.

Paris Saint Germain was quick to condemn the actions of the Ultras. In a statement issued by the club they said that the violence had “nothing to do with football and even less with those that fill the Parc des Princes on match days with such passion and enthusiasm and in total security.” They added that PSG are “more determined than ever to build a huge European club, worthy of the French capital, and far removed from those intent on trying to destroy that dream.”

Having tried desperately to rebrand and repackage the club, the Qatari Investment Group has clearly underestimated the influence, albeit negative that the Ultras have over the clubs image.

The issue of hooliganism within the Parc Des Princes is an ageold problem. The rivalry between the multi cultural “Auteuil” stand and The Boulogne Boys, a large, Italian-style ultra group of white supporters who occupy the Bolougne stand has meant that violence is never far from the surface. Now banned forever from parading their football victories in the centre of Paris, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi has had a rude awakening.

The clubs new motto is “Dream Bigger”, it’s a wonderful corporate slogan, but not one that resonates with everyone who supports the club. The battle for the hearts and minds of the Parisian fans my have been won following the team’s on field endeavors, but there is a long way to go before the club can find a solution to the rise in violence perpetrated by the Ultras and become a united PSG.

FACTFILE In November 2006, Julien Quemener, a member of the ‘Boulogne Boys’ (a group associated with the KOB), was shot dead following a UEFA Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Hapoel Tel Aviv.

On 28 February, Yann Lorence, a 38-year old Paris Saint-Germain fan is left in a lifethreatening coma as trouble flares between rival factions of hooligans from the club during the El Clasico in Marseille. He died a month later as a result of the serious head injuries he had received during the frenzied attack.

Disbanding the Ultras On 30 April 2010 French Prime Minister François Fillon and Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux signed an official decree disbanding five PSG ultras supporters groups from the Tribune d’Auteuil, the groups Supras Auteuil 1991, Paris 1970 la Grinta and Les Authentiks were dissolved. At the other end of the pitch, the Kop of Boulogne lost Commando Loubard and Milice Paris.

All PSG In May 2010 PSG President Robin Leproux took the radical decision to set up an anti violence plan and eradicate the scourge of hooliganism from the tribunes of the Parc Des Princes. “All PSG” was formed and the removal of over 13,000 season ticket subscriptionss made big impact stemming the violence within the club.

Text & Photos by Eoin Mundow

PSG fans celebrate winning the Ligue title opposite the Eiffel Tower. 13/05/13. Photo: Presse Sport

FEATURE

AS MONACO

AS Monaco players take a break during training at Le Turbie training ground, Monaco.

Text, Interview & Photos by Eoin Mundow

The ReD Revolution AS Monaco are back in the big time after nearly a decade in the wilderness.

Thanks to the massive investment from Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, and the knowledge and wisdom of their effervescent head coach Claudio Ranieri, Les Rouge et Blanche are once again a force to be reckoned with after claiming promotion to Ligue 1.

For over a year now I have been follow-

top of the table, but struggling to find the

decades and has seen many Managers

ing the AS Monaco story closely and in

consistency that their coach demanded.

come and go during his tenure. We have

the Autumn of 2012, long before the lav-

been liaising by phone and he has kindly

ish multi-million pound signings of James

As the sun rose over the principality of

offered to give me a lift to the training

Rodriguez, Joao Moutinho and Radamel

Monaco, I looked down at the super

ground.

Falcao, I was offered the unique oppor-

yachts moored in the quayside beneath

and as I wait for him to arrive, I keep an

tunity to venture into the inner sanctum

Monaco train station. I recounted the

eye out for a flashy sports car to pull up.

of AS Monaco’s state of the art training

wonderful tales my father would tell me

However, my delusions of grandeur are

complex at “La Turbie” and document

when I was child. He worked as a deck

instantly dashed when he arrives in a

the re-emergence of the 7 time French

hand for the Guinness family back in the

Peugeot hatchback. As I get in the car

champions’ reversal of fortunes.

swinging sixties. However nearly fifty

we share a joke, I tell him I was expecting

years later the cast of this very cosmo-

him to be driving a Porsche, he quips that

The setting for soccer’s latest success

politan story could not be more different.

it’s a common misconception that every-

story could not be more idyllic. Home

Back then Monte Carlo was frequented

one who lives or works in Monaco is a

to the rich and famous, the principality

by the glitterati, former first lady Jackie

millionaire. PJ as he likes to be known, is

of Monaco is a tax haven that shelters

Onassis, the dashing, quintessential

very candid about the clubs successes

the affluent. It has long been the destina-

dandy David Niven and rock and roll

and failures in the past. He is a jolly soul,

tion of choice for mega-rich sports stars

bad boys The Rolling Stones. Today’s

vehemently passionate about the club

who want to benefit from the sun, sea,

socialites are millionaire Footballers and

and admits he is excited by this new

glamour and most importantly profit from

Russian oligarchs.

adventure. Fluent in French, English and

the advantageous tax system. I visited

My chaperone for the day is AS Monaco

Italian he is held in high regard by coach

the club when they were in the throws

press officer Pierre-Joseph Gadeau.

Ranieri. As we head out of Monaco via

of their Ligue 2 campaign and were on

He has worked for the club for over 2

Avenue Prince Rainier III we discuss the

56 | SEEN Sport Magazine

It’s 8am on a chilly morning

(Top) AS Monaco players keep the bench warm. (Bottom) Coach Clauido Ranieri instructs his players during training.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 57

1. AS Monaco’s stadium. 2. Pierre-Joseph Gadeau 3. Ticket office at Stade Louis II. 4. Ocampos’ football shirt 5. AS Monaco players report for training.

2

1 3

4

5

Just like his ancestors, Claudio Ranieri‘s intention is to transform the club into an impregnable force.

BC and is built around a stunning monu-

a canny habit of getting the best out his

ment called ‘Le Trophée des Alpes’. In

players, irrespective of their skill level.

latter years the monument was turned

His vast experience of working with top

into a fortress, it only seems fitting that

players in Italy, Spain and England has

just like his ancestors Claudio Ranieri‘s

enabled him to understand the mentality

intention is to transform the club into an

of the modern day Footballer. He tells

impregnable force.

me that he loves working with champions and pinpoints Argentinian whizz kid

In keeping with his meticulous nature,

Lucas Ocampos, Eurosport young player

Ranieri has chosen his technical staff

of the year Yannick Ferreira Carrasco

wisely, employing a mixture of French

and French under 21 International Valère

clubs colourful past. AS Monaco is a club

and Italian Coaches to assist him in his

Germain to be the stars of the future. As

steeped in history. They had great suc-

quest to become French footballs top

the training session concludes I spot PJ

cess in the seventies with Lucien Leduc

team. Accredited Sport Psychologist

standing on the sideline. With his umbrella

and then again in the late eighties when a

Phil Johnson is the sole English man on

in hand, he ushers me over frantically and

young Arsène Wenger made his mark on

the team, he acts as a consultant to AS

tells me that now is the best time to catch

the club. However, it’s during the Didier

Monaco and is on hand to mentor and sup-

coach Ranieri if I want to shoot some por-

Deschamps era that he recalls his fondest

port the Manager, players and Assistants

traits of him. The bronzed Italian looks

memory. In 2004 Monaco had an amaz-

in a number of key areas including self-

very regal with his snow white hair and

ing run of form in the Champions League,

belief and self-esteem, skill development

I’m surprised at how fit he looks given

claiming the scalps of Real Madrid and

and goal setting. Ranieri is a very likeable

his advancing years. As he puffs out his

Ranieri’s Chelsea, before losing to Jose

guy. He emanates great enthusiasm and

chest, it’s my turn in the driving seat. It’s a

Mourinho’s side 3-0 in the final.

warmth towards his young squad as he

surreal experience and one that does not

oversees training. They hang onto his

last too long. He is very accommodating,

Our discussion turns to the current era

every word as he bellows instructions at

but I sense he is slightly uncomfortable

as we pass the treacherous hairpin bend

them in English. Well known for being a

being on the receiving end of my ques-

aptly named “Devil’s Curse” that claimed

fierce advocate of the Catenaccio style

tions. After a couple of minutes our brief

the life of Princess Grace of Monaco in

of play of locking the bolt and defend-

shoot is over, we shake hands and Mister

1982. PJ explains that Ranieri or Mister as

ing, he has adopted a slightly different

Ranieri heads off to the changing room.

he is known affectionately to those close

approach at Monaco. Less conservative

to him, has invested a great deal of time

and more fast paced, today’s training

PJ informs me that he has a few press-

integrating the youth players with the

session is all about pressing the oppo-

ing issues to deal with before we can

seniors. It’s something that the sixty-one

nent, in attack and defence and forcing

leave the training ground. As I wait for

year old Roman coach is renowned for

them to make mistakes. He demonstrates

him to finish his duties I chat with a player

since his time at Chelsea. He insists that

that behind the jovial exterior, he is no

who is sitting on the curb in the car park.

all the players eat breakfast together and

shrinking violet. If his players do not fol-

It’s been a memorable and engaging

as we arrive at the training ground that

low his commands, like an authoritative

morning. I tell the young player that I’m

convivial atmosphere is clearly appar-

Headmaster he reinforces the point by

surprised at how accommodating and

ent. The facilities at La Turbie are second

repeating his sentiments in French.

open everyone has been with me today.

to none, nestled between the Alps and

It’s been a refreshing experience com-

the Mediterranean Sea, the complex

Over the course of the session Ranieri

pared with the over officious nature I

was built in a former quarry, the “Ortelli”

is on hand to offer his young players

have experienced at some UK clubs.

quarry and overlooks the glistening

words of encouragement. His man man-

He tells me that there is a good ambi-

Cote D’Azur. The nearby ancient town of

agement skills are impeccable, he is

ence at the club, it’s pretty laid back, he

Turbie was inhabited by the Romans in 7

very approachable and appears to have

then adds that his friend is in the squad

SEEN Sport Magazine | 59

AS Monaco owner Dimiytri Rybolovlev arrives at Stade Des Costieres, Nimes, France flanked by his bodyguard, ahead of watching his team secure promotion to Ligue 1.

60 | SEEN Sport Magazine

at Manchester United, he has heard that

his Coach’s work. Having studied as a

Sir Alex Ferguson rules with an iron fist.

Cardiologist, before earning his fortune

With that candid revelation, he bids me

in the Potash industry, the philanthropist

farewell, his friend has arrived to give

has placed his trust and faith in the Italian

him a lift back home, weary after such a

Coach to resuscitate the ailing heart of

strenuous work out, he slumps into the

this sleeping giant. The “Red Revolution”

passengers seat of the car. I ask him if

at AS Monaco is just beginning.

he will be here next season, he responds

Ranieri has been handed the largest

matter of factly “who knows what hap-

transfer fund in the game, he is under

pens next in football?”

immense pressure to deliver positive results on the pitch. He understands bet-

As I make my way back down the winding

ter than most that there is no room for

coastal road towards Monte Carlo with

sentiment in the beautiful game, this is his

PJ, I wonder if this will finally be Ranieri’s

last chance to prove his doubters wrong.

moment of glory. Often thought of as

His vision is to be build a team of young

the nearly man or the tinker man, sports

champions who can rekindle the clubs

biggest prizes have often alluded him.

former glories and return AS Monaco to

Patience is undoubtedly a virtue, however

their rightful place amongst Europe’s elite

the fickle world of football is a commodity

soccer clubs. Then and only then can

that cannot be bought. The clubs owner

Mister Ranieri stroll off into the sunset a

Dmitry Rybolovlev is happy so far with

proud man walking.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 61

Emmanuel Riviere (c) and team mates celebrate after clinching promotion to Ligue 1 for AS Monaco after they beat Nimes 1-0 at Stade Des Costieres, Nimes, France on 21/05/13. Photo: Sebastien Boue/Presse Sports

AS MONACO FACTS OWNERSHIP In December 2011 Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev acquired a 66.67% share in AS Monaco through his Monaco Sport Invest (MSI) company. The remaining 33% is owned by Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club, which represents the interests of the Principality of Monaco.

TAX BREAKS Under an agreement signed in 1869, Monaco can sign a foreign player without him having to pay income tax and French players who play for club benefit from a massive reduction in their national insurance contributions, paying 20% than their counterparts at other Ligue 1 teams.

LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE LFP French Football League have ruled that all its clubs should be subject to the same financial regulations, giving Monaco until June 1, 2014 to set up financial residence in France or face being excluded from all LFP competitions .

Dmitry Rybolovlev is not backing down and the legal battle looks set to rumble on for a long time. AS Monaco vice-president Jean-Louis Campora and Prince of Albert of Monaco have been vocal in trying to reach a reasonable agreement with the LFP, but to no avail.

TRANSFER MARKET Under the controversial third-party ownership scheme, Super-Agent Pini Zahavi made at least €11 million from the transfers of João Moutinho and James Rodríguez to Monaco.

Also getting on in the act are former Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes who also benefited massively following the €60 million sale of Colombian Radamel under a similar third party scheme.

INTERVIEW

CLAUDIO RANIERI

36 | SEEN Sport Magazine

Text, Interview & Photos by Eoin Mundow

M

ister ONACO

Claudio Ranieri is renowned as one of Europe’s top coaches.

In the eyes of many football fans he is regarded as the nearly man. Too much of a nice guy to make a lasting impact and not cut throat enough to succeed at the highest level, the easy going Roman has yet to receive the accolades that his commitment deserves.

After a tumultuous journey throughout the top leagues in Europe, the wily coach known affectionately as MISTER is back in the big time with AS Monaco. Having led them to promotion this season, he plans to change the Status Quo in French football. With the financial backing of Russian Billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev and the advantage of being exempt from tax in these trying times of austerity, the sleeping giants from the Pricipality are on course to become the new leaders of the pack.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 67

What is the vision for your new project at AS Monaco?

The chairman wants to build a good team, the first step was to win the championship in Ligue 2 and then improve and improve to find champions, but young champions to gain promotion to Ligue 1 to be able fight with the biggest.

Your vision is to be the biggest team in France?

Yes (Laughs), Well the biggest team, I don’t know? It’s important that there more big teams in France; it’s good for the championship. My chairman is very ambitious, it’s a very good story and I was very proud to come here to know another country in my career. That is what I thought when Monaco spoke with me initially.

When you came did you have to make many changes to the set-up? You brought your own team with you?

Yes of course, every time, every country I bring my team with me, it’s important because they know me very well.

It’s a mixture of French and Italian coaching staff?

Yes. The first thing is to improve the players, to build a good team, a good squad. We do this everyday, day by day.

Yo u h a v e a h i s t o r y o f g i v i n g y o u n g p l a y e r s a n opportunity. Is your ethos to look to youth first rather than signing the superstars?

Yes, but look I coached the megastars, I used to do everything, but I believe in this project at Monaco, I believe in this chairman and we try to do our best.

Do you believe luck plays a major factor in being a successful manager?

Yes, for sure without luck you can’t do anything. You can

There is a lot of talk of the young Argentine player Lucas

build a great team and everything else, but a little luck is very

Ocampos (dubbed the new Cristiano Ronaldo who Monaco

important.

signed for 18 Million Euros in the summer). What are your thoughts on him for the future?

As you progress in age, is there a change in the attitude of

He is a champion. Now he has to improve, to develop his char-

young players of today, are they more difficult to coach?

acter, his personality and physical ability – everything. We hope

No. No. No. The young players are not difficult to coach, they

to have bought a very good champion, but time will tell if we

want to improve and they want to understand very well. There

are wrong or right.

is a very good relationship between the young players; the experienced players and they know thatI have to choose the

Was it encouraging last season that Montpellier managed to

first eleven. For the coach it is important to have a lot of players

win Ligue 1 on a small budget? They proved with young play-

because he needs everybody.

ers, great performances and a good coach it’s possible to win

68 | SEEN Sport Magazine

the Ligue against the Galacticos?

you managed there, do you feel that there wasn’t there much

If you want to win something it’s important to have champions.

patience for you to succeed there?

Also when you buy champions it’s not written in every paper or

Yes I had John Terry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Bridge, Glenn

guaranteed that you will win everything. You have to be com-

Johnson, Scott Parker; I can’t remember all the names. No, I

petitive and want to win. It’s like Monaco in Ligue 2; all the

had a good relationship with Ken Bates and then Abramovich.

teams want to beat us that are normal. Everyone when they

There was a very good link, I understand that they wanted to

play against Monaco gives 100 percent, so every match we

change, that is football. The Premier League and La Liga are the

must do the same. It’s good country, a good place (Monaco), we

biggest leagues in the world.

have the sun, good food, the women, everything. The players must make sure they concentrate.

French football appears to be going through a renaissance; do you think it could rival those leagues in in years to come?

You brought a lot young players through at Chelsea when

I think with the owners of Paris Saint Germain and some other

SEEN Sport Magazine | 69

“The young people are good but sometimes you don’t have the time to give to the young players to improve, because the president or chairman always asks you for the result, the result, and the result.”

owner’s French football can increase (in popularity). Because

experience in Spain, Italy, England and France. Where do you

in this moment there is Spanish, England and Germany, Italy is

think the youth system is most beneficial?

too frightened, because we need money. Without money it is

I don’t, I don’t know.

difficult, but it’s important for a new generation in Italy, no. The Italian people are always competitive, but with more money we

Does it depend on the club?

could buy more champions and with more champions it’s easier

It depends on the club of course because if you are in a big

to succeed, without this is very difficult.

team it is difficult, Just like Barcelona with this Cantera. It’s just difficult for the other teams to put a young player in the team

What is your ethos as a coach? They way you like your teams

because you have to win. The young people are good but

to play football?

sometimes you don’t have the time to give to the young players

I have experience in Italy, Spain, and England and now I have a

to improve, because the president or chairman always asks you

chance to improve my experience in France. I want my players

for the result, the result, and the result.

to be active when they have the ball and when they lose the ball. You have to be very good in both situations. That is my

How does it feel to have gained promotion from Ligue 2?

football. I want to win, I want to attack, but I want to respect the

This promotion is a great achievement, It was the goal of the

other teams because they have some good players and we

club, the president and myself,. We put this idea in the minds of

need to put them under pressure.

players who have managed to implement it on the field.Monaco

Do you look at potential rivals for next year such as Marseille

is a great club in Europe and also there is a very good pro-

or PSG?

gramme for the future. I was happy because I love to bring, to

No. Step by step that is my philosophy.

build the team and to build slowly, slowly, and to arrive at the high level. To arrive in the Champions League you have to build

My nephew is fourteen years old; he has played for both

a very strong team. At the moment I don’t know if the chairman

Southampton and Chelsea. It’s very difficult for home

wants to build slowly, the big team, because we have some very

grown British talent to break through in England. You have

good young players. We may want to develop these players.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 71

INTERVIEW

EMIR BAJRAMI

Text, Interview & Photos by Eoin Mundow

Emir Bajrami, like ma

Monaco gain promot a lucrative long term

The versatile midfield

ers, fellow countryma

understands the disp revolution under the

You have had a succes

of ambition what is the This season we didn’t

of young players that w

in Ligue 2 in France tha

together and work hard

been a couple of times

other team gets comfo

playing our game and win 4-3.

You have played und

career. How would you

During two years in H

coaches and one of the

EMIR

BAJRAMI

Manager). Ranieri he is

asks you how you are d He is very, tactical and

understand. He seems

You have played with

national team. He is n

Saint Germain, what a

You said he was a mas

was a God in Italy. Wha Juventus and won the

the league, he went to

know what to say abo

everything he has don

74 | SEEN Sport Magazine

any of Monaco's squad players is on the verge of breaking through into the big time. Having helped AS

tion to into Ligue 1, he will be hoping he is rewarded for his hard work and secures a here can be no better contract with AS Monaco.

der is currently on loan to Monaco from FC Twente and has played alongside one of football's top play-

an Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Having learned his under the guidance of the best coaches in European soccer. He

parity between success and failure and gives us his unique insight into life on the Cote D'Azur and the new tutelage of Claudio Ranieri.

ssful season, it’s a young team with a lot

speak about this guy because he is an unbelievably good

e ambience like between the players?

player. Sure of course when people see him on television they

ave any really big stars, we are a group

see a star, but when you train with him and see the things he

work really hard for one another. I think

does you are even more impressed.

at is the most important thing. We come

d for ninety minutes because there have

Your dream with Monaco is to be promoted into Ligue 1;

s when we were losing 2-0, 3-0 and the

do you think if you make it you can compete with the big

ortable, but we don’t give up we keep

teams?

d we have managed to comeback and

Monaco is growing; they had a couple of bad years if you can call it that. There were not professional people around the club.

We are restarting everything; new players, new president, new

der several coaches throughout your

coach, new staff and I think it is very important to be patient

u assess Claudio Ranieri as a coach?

because not everything can come together like this (snaps his

Holland I played under three different

fingers). If you buy sixty new players you cannot expect them

em was Steve McClaren (Former England

all of sudden to play together, you have to be patient.

good coach, he is good with people and

At the moment and I think everyone at the club agrees that

doing? How you feel?

we are getting the results but the play is not there. We are not

I think that is what he wants us to get, to

playing to a level to which we can achieve. At the end of the

s to have a lot of qualities.

day the result is important, but in time we will get there.

h Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Swedish

Do you think this new Monaco team can create a new fan

now a massive star in France with Paris

base? It’s a strange place Monaco, so affluent, yet nearby

are your thoughts on him?

neighbours Nice attract so many fanatical supporters. Do

ssive star here in France, but I think he

think in time this will change?

at he did in Italy is amazing. He went to

It doesn’t matter where you go in the world everyone says’

league, he went to Inter Milan and won

Monaco, Champions League Final!”

o AC Milan and won the league. I don’t

Everybody knows they have been there. Monaco is not, but

out this player, every prize he won and

should be a big, club in France and I think with good results you

ne in his career speaks for itself. I can’t

get new fans, that’s how it works in football. (Laughs)

SEEN Sport Magazine | 75

FEATURE

SERGEY KOVALEV

Text & Photos by Eoin Mundow

rigmoral of intense training, spending long periods of time away from your family and the frustration of corrupt politics within the sport can all have a demoralising effect. In order to succeed a fighter must possess unwavering focus, mental fortitude and belief in his own abilities. The power of mind over matter is more often than not the determining factor between success and failure. No one knows this better than Sergey Kovalev.

Tragedy In The Ring In the spring of 2011, I met Kovalev purely by chance at Abel

HARD ROAD

to GLORY

Sanchez’s gym, high up in the mountains of Big Bear, California.

He was at a crossroads in his life; his last bout had ended tragically when his opponent Roman Simokov died following a brutal one-sided beating. As he trained frenetically for his comeback bout with Lionell Thompson, it was self evident that he desperately wanted to move forward with his career, to get back in the ring and overcome the harrowing ghosts of his previous encounter.

The ill-fated WBC Asian Boxing Council bout in Yekaterinburg looked like a good match up on paper, but it soon became apparent that Kovalev was too good, too strong and far quicker

There is an old adage in the fight game about letting your fists do

than his opponent. The power puncher from the Ural Mountains

the talking. In the case of light heavyweight contender Sergey

was clinical, relentless and did what he was expected to do as

Kovalev it’s an apt synopsis. Born in Chelyabinsk, Russia, the

he pummelled Simakov over 7 brutal rounds. The thudding

power punching 29-year old is starting to make a big impact

blows and high volume of power shots connected by Kovalev

on the global boxing scene. A reserved man, he is an accom-

throughout the bout had caused irreversible damage. Simakov’s

plished amateur and has methodically worked his way up the

inanimate body slumped to the canvas after an innocuous loop-

light heavyweight ranks, knocking out eighteen of his twenty-

ing right hook caught his right early in the seventh round. As

one opponents and remains undefeated.

Kovalev rightly celebrated another famous victory, the gravity

In his last outing he blitzed the normally durable former world

of his opponent’s situation worsened.

champion Gabriel Campillo in three one-sided rounds and sent

Simakov’s corner man and the ringside physicians hastily lifted

out a stark warning to the current light heavyweight champions,

the fallen fighters body onto a makeshift orange stretcher and

Nathan Cleverly, Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson and Beibut

rushed him out of the ring. The crowd applauded as he made

Shumenov - he is coming to take their titles!

his final journey out of the arena and straight into an emergency ambulance. The soft-spoken man from Kemerovo never

His road to glory has not been easy. It’s a journey that has been

gained consciousness again, dying a few days later despite

tainted with a rich tapestry of tragedy, personal sacrifice and

surgeons desperately trying to save his life. It should have been

triumph over insurmountable odds. Having persevered where

just another routine victory, just another opponents name on

many weaker men would have faltered, he has quickly become

his record. However as the tragedy unfolded before his eyes, it

the most avoided fighter in boxing, following a string of brutal

was clear that the name Roman Simakov would become perma-

knockout victories. An unforgiving and a lonely place at the best

nently etched in the mind, body and soul of Sergey Kovalev.

of times, the fight game is renowned for being by far the hard-

His adversary’s downfall serves as a stark reminder to him of

est of sporting professions for good reason. The solitude and

the personal sacrifice and danger one takes when stepping

78 | SEEN Sport Magazine

Kovalev works out at Abel Sanchez’ Summit Gym in Big Bear, California.

into the squared circle. Over the past 2 years Kovalev has inevitably had to do a lot of soul searching. Coming to terms with the guilt that followed must have been a great burden.

Having acted with dignity throughout the ordeal, it was clear to see the deep-hearted compassion that Kovalev had for his former foe. In an open letter on his personal blog, the world title contender expressed his remorse. “Certainly I was very glad to get the win, but I was unaware of Roman’s condition.

I thought at the time he had finally made the right decision not to continue this fight for his own good. When I came to his dressing room he wasn’t there, he was in the hospital already. He was a fighter and a man, my he rest in peace”.

He added, “If I ever step in the ring again, I will dedicate my next fight to Roman. All my earnings will be sent to his family.

Forgive me Roman. Rest in Peace Warrior.”

The Long Road Back Many fighters have wilted after such a life changing and devastating experience, never to return the same. British fighters Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank could not retain that killer instinct after they beat Gerald McClellan and Michael Watson in tragic circumstances. Having to see their opponents in such a horrific physical state in the years that preceded their bouts only prolonged the agony. It served as a constant reminder of their fateful encounter. The finality of Simakov dying meant that there was nothing that Kovalev could do to change the situation.

Unlike Benn and Eubank, he had yet to achieve his goal of win-

door open with great force.

ning a world title. His conscience was clear. What happened

Breathing heavily, he walked towards me and removed his

was an accident. Every fighter is aware of the risk of serious

headphones and jacket. The echoes of house music reverber-

injury before they lace up their gloves, there was no need for

ated at a rapid 160bpm from his ipod; he casually nodded and

him to feel accountable for tragic outcome of their bout.

then said “Hello.” His mind was clearly elsewhere, lost in the moment, he continued apace. Pounding away on the heavy

As I waited in the warmth of the gym, a treacherous blizzard

bag in earnest, he dented the worn leather on the bag, the

raged outside. I peered out the window; the pine forest and

chain supports jolted and creaked under every vicious blow.

rugged terrain of Big Bear made for a spectacular site normally.

Having boxed for many years myself and covered the sport

However in this extreme whether there was zero visibility. All I

for well over a decade I couldn’t recall a Boxer punching with

could make out was the silhouette of a man sprinting through

such venom. Upon impact there was a shrill thud that reverber-

the unrelenting snowfall and shadow boxing furiously. He

ated around the gym as if the punch bag had been hit with a

raced into the car park and edged closer to the entrance of

jackhammer.

the gym. He looked menacing as he approached, his brow was

After he had worked out we chatted about his possible foes,

furrowed, steam billowed from mouth and nose as his lungs

there was no mention of his previous bout, just chitchat about

pumped like piston engines, releasing oxygen from his weary

his travels and I suggested that maybe he could come to

body. He grasped the door handle tightly and pulled the gym

England and fight WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan

80 | SEEN Sport Magazine

‘By the time Kovalev stepped in the ring that night he was a raging inferno of aggression’ By the time Kovalev stepped in the ring that night he was a raging inferno of aggression. It was his first fight since beating Roman Simakov and the comments of Thompson only added fuel to the fire. I felt somewhat sorry for Thompson when I read his comments. From what I had witnessed in the gym Kovalev was anything but basic. He possessed brutal power like many Russian fighters, but under the tutelage of Derek Santos and former light middleweight and middleweight champion John David Jackson, there was slickness and deceptive cunning that was not immediately apparent to the neutral observer.

Sure enough Thompson would feel the wrath of Kovalev’s power soon enough. Pole axed by a thunderous right hand at the end of round two, he suffered two more brutal knockdowns before the fight was waved off at the beginning of round 3 by referee Gary Rosato. In front of a national TV audience on NBC sports, Kovalev had managed to vanquish the trauma of his previous bout. He made a big statement and definitely won himself some new fans, including the seal of approval from hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach following such an explosive perCleverly. He smiled and said “Yes, I’d like that”.

formance. Roach was resolute in his praise for Kovalev after

As I packed up my cameras and headed for the door I looked

the bout. “He is a very seasoned fighter. He is close to getting

over once more to bid him farewell. He nodded and greeted

a title fight pretty soon.”

me good day. Then he continued to stalk around the gym, priming himself for battle and punching holes through an imaginary

Building on his success he rapidly added a very impressive

foe as he shadow boxed with ferocious intensity. I felt sorry for

scalp to his resume when he destroyed the normally dura-

his next victim. His merciless approach to training was an eye

ble former world champion Gabriel Campillo in 3 rounds. His

opener. He reminded me in many ways to Marvin Hagler, purely

stalking, attrition style of boxing is designed to break the

in his demeanour. There was no messing with this fighter. As

other man’s will. Throwing a rapid succession of hard loop-

the ‘Marvellous’ one would say Kovalev was “On a seek and

ing punches, frequently and from a variety of angles he simply

destroy mission!”

battered Campillo into submission. Boxing scribes around the

Lionell Thompson was the chosen one, a decent fighter who

world were starting to take notice of Kovalev, but his peers

had sparred with Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson. The bout

simply turned the other cheek. After the Russian knockout artist

was due to take place at the Sands Casino Resort in Buffalo,

was happy to throw down the gauntlet and issue a challenge.

New York on the 21st September 2012. Thompson had stoked

“I would want the winner of the Cloud-Hopkins fight on March

the fire by audaciously claiming that Kovalev was in for a “Rude

9. I would fight anyone, but whether Cloud or Hopkins will fight

awakening”. He added that “he (Kovalev) was basic”.

me, I don’t know. In boxing today, a lot of fighters are very

SEEN Sport Magazine | 81

protected. I think I have all of the tools to beat them. It depends

glamour of Las Vegas. Standing in the opposite corner will be

whether or not they accept it.”

the little known Cornelius “The Beast” White of Houston (21-1, 16 KO’s). Ranked number 5 in the world by the IBF, the thiry-one

The Future

year old is a big puncher, but slow paced. Having suffered a

Bernard Hopkins would continue to defy the odds and age.

first round knockout whilst he was a super middleweight to the

At forty-eight years of age he defeated IBF titleholder Tavoris

unheralded Don George in 2011, he has managed to rebuild his

Cloud at the Barclays Center and yet again became the old-

confidence with 5 consecutive victories over average competi-

est man to win a world title. One name missing from the list

tion. His inability to take a solid shot does not bode well for his

of future opponents was Kovalev. Following his victory over

chances against the punching might of Kovalev. With the added

Jones, his promoter, Main Events have desperately been trying

incentive of becoming the mandatory challenger to IBF light

to secure him a title shot or a fight against a leading contender.

heavyweight champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins,

Like Hopkins, none of the 3 other titleholders have been that receptive to challenging the fighter nicknamed “Krusher”.

The Jones fight had earned him rave reviews. Much like his compatriot Gennady Golovkin, Kovalev is starting build a huge fan base. In the age of social media and with the help of his devastating knockout performances being accessible to millions of boxing fans around the world, the demand to see Kovalev fight for the world title is growing.

In February his focus shifted away from boxing and to his family and friends back in Chelyabinsk. Amidst a blaze of media coverage he watched in disbelief as a 10,000-ton iron and stone meteorite lit up the sky over the Ural Mountains and struck his hometown injuring over 1200 people. The mild mannered fighter was obviously worried for his family’s safety and thankful when he received the long awaited news that they were all ok.

Despite his joy he could not help but express his concern for his fellow inhabitants that had been injured.

“I was shocked to find out what happened in my home town Chelyabinsk,” Kovalev said. “The news shook not just Russia, but the whole world. I contacted my family and friends as soon I heard about it. Everyone was ok, just scared because they did not know what happened. I am thankful no one was killed.

I thank God my family and friends were safe. I am very sorry for the people in my hometown who were injured and suffered distress from this natural disaster. I am grateful to all of the people who have contacted me and my promoters to express their concern.”

Now back in training, the good news for the ever-growing fan base of Sergey Kovalev he will return to the ring on the 14th of June. He will travel into the wilderness of the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, far away from the bright lights and

82 | SEEN Sport Magazine

both fighters will be in peak condition, but in my view Kovalev

Having managed to rebound from the depths of despair, the

will be too strong, experienced and possess too much intensity

mild mannered fighter has overcome every obstacle that has

for his opponent.

stood in his way. It’s a testament to his steely will and unwaver-

Kovalev will no doubt throw down the gauntlet to the ageing

ing dedication that he has managed to summon the strength to

Hopkins again if he wins on June 14th, whether or not ‘The

overcome such an arduous couple of years. What greater com-

Executioner’ takes the bait or simply gives up his belt remains

pliment could there be to his fallen compatriot Roman Simakov,

to be seen. Irrespective of this, Main Events CEO Kathy Duva

but to achieve the dream that they both strived for when they

cannot hide her joy at her fighter’s meteoric rise. “When Sergey

entered the ring that fateful night in Yekaterinburg.

is in the ring, he is simply electrifying…we look forward to see-

On June 14th Kovalev will be one step closer to accomplishing

ing more fireworks from Kovalev, who will undoubtedly become

his ambition. It’s been a long hard road to glory, but destiny

a force in one of boxing’s hottest divisions.”

awaits the knockout king from the Ural Mountains.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 83

1

2

1. Kovalev v Campillo.

Mohegan Sun Arena, 20th January 2013.

2. Kovalev celebrates after beating Campillo.

3. IBF light heavyweight champion, Bernard Hopkins.

4. Roman Simakov collapses after being knocked out by Kovalev. (DR)

4

84 | SEEN Sport Magazine

3

Interview & Photos by Eoin Mundow & Rich Graessle/Main Events

Known simply as Krusher to his fans, leading light heavyweight contender, Sergey Kovalev is happy to take on all comers. A man of few words, he discusses his career to date and his desire to face any world champion brave enough to step in the ring with him in an exclusive interview.

In your last fight you made a big statement by knocking out the

What are your best attributes as a fighter?

normally durable Gabriel Campillo. Do you feel that you are

Concentration and focus on your goal (to overcome the next

now ready to make the transition from contender to world

obstacle in the way) and to reach it at any cost.

champion?

I am very happy with my win against Gabriel Campillo and

Which champion do you rate most highly out of the cur-

happy with the hard work my team does for a victory with every

rent champions - Hopkins, Cleverly, Shumenov and Chad

bout. Yes, I am ready to face any of the champions in my weight

Dawson?

class and to put a title belt around my waist, this is why and for

Everyone is dangerous differently, but the most experienced

what I came to USA and why I’m still here.

and dangerous I believe is Hopkins, even at his age.

Your journey to become the leading contender in the light

Nathan Cleverly has had great difficulty securing fights in the

heavyweight division has been a roller coaster ride. How hard

past year, yet your name never popped up. If he manages to

has it been to overcome the tragedy of the Simakov fight and

beat Krasniqi in March is he an opponent you feel confident

did it change your outlook on life?

you could beat?

No comments.

I am not against it.

You choose to base yourself in the USA in pursuit of your

Do you think Bernard Hopkins should retire and give the

dream, has the work in the gyms in the States helped you

younger guys a chance?

develop as a fighter?

I believe if a fighter feels perfect and good at his age and able

Yes, I want to fight for the world title and to become a champion

to fight, he is equal to any fighter who steps in the ring in front of

here in United States and training here in America is helping

him. Hopkins is a very smart and slick fighter and he is capable

me a lot. As well, my promoters know what they are doing and

of retiring any of the current champions.

I have no doubt Main Events will lead me to the title bout.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 85

SPOTLIGHT

JURGEN TAP

Lewis Hamilton (GBR, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Paul di Resta (GBR, Sahara Force India F1 Team) - F1 Grand Prix China.

Interview by Eoin Mundow. Photos by Jurgen Tap.

SHOOTING FORMULA 1 JURGEN TAP How did you start shooting F1?

What's your motivation before you shoot each race? Is it purely

With F1 I was a bit lucky but also I was taking my chances.

editorial or do you look to shoot something really creative to

Actually the agency who took care of the sponsorship were not

set you apart from your competitors?

sure if I could do the job. I persuaded them to send me to a test

Every Photographer with some dedication thinks he does

in Barcelona for free and it turned out they loved the pictures.

something special. The reality at a F1 race is not very exciting.

Never the less it was a very big struggle to get used to all the

The racetracks are getting less and less accessible, the drivers

different racetracks. It also took a few years ‘till I was accepted

are hardly seen in the paddock and I was for example experi-

in the F1 Photographer’s community.

menting a lot with remote flashes in the garages to get a different look. On track you need to take some risks like going for a 1/8

What are your favourite memories from shooting F1 and

sec for a session even though I might end up with nothing I might

why?

also be rewarded with a great and different shot. All this needs

I love to shoot at tracks like Monaco, Sao Paulo and now Austin,

a lot of experience as you only know after some time in F1 when,

but I have my best memories from shootings I had off the race-

where and what is happening.

track. In 1997 I was with Mika Haekkinen and David Coulthard in a weightlessness flight at a military training camp outside from

How much has F1 changed since you started? Is access and

Moscow. It was an opportunity to get an inside view to something

the ability to work closely with the drivers far difficult now?

very special. It’s like your childhood dreams come true only with

I started in 1997 and the golden times when drivers and Journalists

all the physical stress.

where hanging out at the pools were over for a long time, but

SEEN Sport Magazine | 89

Mika Haekkinen enjoys time away from racing in a weightlessness flight at a military training camp outside from Moscow.

from ´97 ‘till now everything got more professional, marketing driven and structured. The drivers get PR training and you won’t see any of them sunbathing in the afternoon after a session. I took a shot like that of Michael Schumacher 1997 in Monza.

The money involved demands much more discipline and makes the story a bit boring. On track we get more and more of these fenced-in artificial tracks like China, Malaysia or Korea. But for example Austin is one great new track to shoot. All together it is still a lot of fun to find your special place at a track.

What equipment do you have in your camera bag to shoot an event?

A long lense is essential to shoot on track as the cars are often quite far away. I have a 600/4 and a 400/2.8. Personaly I like the 70-200/2.8 and I probably use it the most. But I use the whole range...8mm-600mm and I need all lenses. There are so many different locations and possibilities.

Your favourite images that you have shot?

I can’t name one particular image. I have a few I really like.

One of Schumi cheering to his mechanics, so happy that I even consider him being emotional.

The best driver you have witnessed?

I am not the right person to judge drivers for their driving skills but my favourite driver is Kimi. Unfortunately he is not interested in photography nor in any other thing besides racing or action sports but he is true to himself and very authentic.

Is it all models, champagne and glamour - the dream job? Or is that just an illusion?

The models and the glamour in my mind is an illusion. I have champagne once in a while after a win.

SEEN Sport Magazine | 91

EDITORIAL

SAMBA SOCCER BACK IN VOGUE

Neymar controls the ball during the friendly match against Italy, Stade Geneve, 21/03/2013.

Samba Soccer back in vogue Text by Ryan Colley. Photos by Eoin Mundow

94 | SEEN Sport Magazine

The Brazil players link arms before the friendly match against England at Wembley Stadium. 06/02/13

No national sport is more synonymous

Blue and Yellow who virtually play the

the greatest in modern times, the South

with one team whose style and man-

game as if kicking a tennis ball about

Americans have many a reason to shout

tra are based purely on entertaining for

on a Copacabana beach. Cue Samba

from the peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain

the masses. At times, such an approach

soccer and the Brazil national team!

right now.

has been to their cost, but football

With the Confederations Cup tournament

No megaphone would be needed should

wouldn’t be the game the world knows

just around the corner and next year’s

Brazil clinch a third straight Confederation

and adores today without the team in

FIFA World Cup promising to be one of

title (and fourth overall). Even though on

SEEN Sport Magazine | 95

BRAZIL FIXTURES Jun 1 - Brazil v England. Estadio do Maracana. (Friendly) - (2-2) Jun 9 - Brazil v France. Grêmio Arena.

(Friendly) Jun 15 - Brazil v Japan. Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha. Confederations Cup (Group Stage 2013) Jun 19 - Brazil v Mexico. Castelão.

Confederations Cup (Group Stage 2013) Jun 22 - Italy v Brazil. Arena Fonte Nova. Confederations Cup (Group Stage 2013) Aug 14 - Switzerland v Brazil. St Jakob Park. (Friendly)

(Top) Luis Felipe Scolari. (Right) Neymar attacks during the international friendly against Russia in London, 25/03/13.

home soil, a triumph here would send

be forgiven for thinking that Brazil are

minute suitors who missed out on signing

a loud and clear message to the rest of

not overly concerned if they don’t claim

Barca’s £50m new boy Neymar. That such

the world’s elite that they mean serious

any silverware on offer this time around,

a move has not been kept quiet is hardly

business.

so long as they are there or thereabouts.

surprising given Europe’s penchant for

Ignoring the strangely below par per-

With a nucleus of new young talent at

flirting with players openly once they set

formance against England at Wembley,

their disposal such as Lucas Moura,

their sets on them. You feel his compa-

‘The Canarinha’ appear to be quietly

Neymar, and Thiago Silva, not to mention

triot Paulinho who scored the equalising

building up to this summer’s tournament

the Chelsea contingent of Ramires, Oscar

goal against England at the Maracana

with some confidence and Luiz Felipe

and David Luiz, the recent performances

would be welcomed with open arms by

Scolari’s men will be looking to use this

against Bolivia (4-0) and Italy (2-2) have

many of Brazil’s other European based

as a springboard towards the big one in

proved the old magic is still there.

players such as Moura, Dani Alves and

June 2014.

This coming tournament will also prove to

others should he decide to cut his ties

Football students the world over could

be the last shop window for any other last

and leave Corinthians.

96 | SEEN Sport Magazine

Brazilian striker Fred looks set to light up the confederations cup this summer. (Right) A Samba Queen gets ready to party.

The midfield and attack of Brazil need

readily available in the Confederations

reports of ‘Taliban’ internet trolls linked to

little introduction of course, but some

Cup, up against Japan, Italy and Mexico

many of Brazil’s club sides have recently

would argue that apart from Hulk, Rever

in the group stage, on paper, Brazil look

been sending out threatening messages

and Henrique, the current crop of stars

like a shoe in to top the group. If they can

of hate on social media networks which

lack real physical presence and certainly

navigate these apparently ‘safe’ waters

many feel could get out of hand and turn

not enough to scare opponents who pos-

then the only ‘sleeping policeman’ en

to violence at some games if not dealt

sess players of much bigger stature.

route to the final could be dogged neigh-

with swiftly enough.

However, this lack of size didn’t do Spain’s

bours Uruguay and the ‘carousel football’

Come June 30th, those with even a hint

World and European Champions any harm,

dished out by Spain.

of doubt that this current crop of Brazilian

therefore this is a space that should be

FIFA hierarchy will also prey that the host

superstars will be ready for Rio 2014, had

definitely watched very closely between

nation’s ability to put on a show for the

better not lay their wagers on any other

now and the start of the World Cup.

watching world both this and next sum-

team just yet. Prepare to be entertained!

Whilst such relative fodder shouldn’t be

mer will go without a hitch. Especially as

98 | SEEN Sport Magazine

TRAVEL

MONACO

A birds eye view of the Marina in Monaco, France.

Text & Photos by Eoin Mundow

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world.

The Principality has been governed by the Grimaldi family for over seven hundred years. Dressed in the disguise of a monk, François Grimaldi captured the Rock of Monaco on the night of 8 January 1297 with his cousin Rainier I. The Rainer’s have been in permanent residence ever since.

In 2005, H.S.H. Prince Albert II took over as the head of state.

As patron of AS Monaco he has a vested interest in sport and is delighted that the football club have reemerged as a major force in European football this season. There are wide range of sporting activities available for the Monegasque community

to participate in and watch. The principality is host to some of the most glamourous showpiece events on the sporting social calender including the Monte Carlo Masters Tennis, the F1 Monaco Grand Prix, the Monte-Carlo Beach Volleyball tournament and the Régate hauturière.

La Plage du Larvatto is the place to hang out if you want to soak up the sun or if you are interested in experiencing the surreal side of Monaco, then why not hang out and pump some iron next to a Jonny Halliday look-alike at famous Guy Mierczuk Monaco Fitness Center.

A general view of Stade Cap D’ail in Monaco, France.

1

1. Guy Mierczuk Mona

2. A statue of an Olymp

3. A statue of Francesc

4. The rims of a superc

5. AS Monaco memrob

2

aco Fitness Center.

pic swimmer.

co Grimaldi (“The Cunning�).

car parked in Monte Carlo.

bilia adorn the wall of a cafe.

3

SEEN Sport Magazine WEBSITE www.seensportmagazine.com FORUM www.seensportmagazine.com/forum SOCIAL NETWORKS www.twitter.com/SeenSportMag www.facebook.com/SeenSportMag Google + SEEN Sport Magazine www.pinterest.com/seensportmag