The Barbagiuans of Monaco secured their place in the final of the Prince Rainier III Challenge this Monday. The victory, claimed after a high-stakes semi-final against the Hospital team, marks a significant milestone for a club that serves as a cornerstone of the Principality’s sporting heritage.
The match, defined by two intense 40-minute halves, concluded in a 1-1 deadlock. Despite trailing early in the contest, the Barbagiuans mounted a disciplined collective response to equalize. The stalemate was eventually broken in a clinical penalty shootout, where the Barbagiuans converted every attempt. The decisive strike came from Olivier Veigneau, the former AS Monaco professional, whose continued involvement in the amateur squad underscores the club's multigenerational appeal.
While often recognized for high-profile philanthropic fixtures like the Fight Aids Cup, the Barbagiuans remain, at their core, an amateur collective. Under the leadership of President Louis Ducruet, who acted as coach for the semi-final, the team maintains the ethos established in the 1980s by H.S.H. Prince Albert II: a commitment to camaraderie and the "joy of coming together."
"I feel a real sense of pride seeing the Barbagiuans continue a tradition started several decades ago by my uncle and his friends," Mr. Ducruet stated. "What matters most is the everyday life of the group: commitment, camaraderie, and the strong bond between generations."
This season represents the club’s debut in the 11-a-side format of the Challenge. Their advancement to the final is a testament to the steady rhythm of weekly training sessions and their active presence in Monaco’s corporate league circuit.
The Barbagiuans are now scheduled to face Société des Bains de Mer in the final on May 11. The match will be held at the Stade Louis II, a venue befitting a team that remains a vibrant pillar of the Principality's unique blend of passion, history, and sport.
Photo credits: Frédéric Nebinger - Prince’s Palace of Monaco