Monaco's SBM team wins the 46th Rainier III Challenge!

The 46th Rainier III Challenge, Monaco's inter-company football tournament, culminated in the final on 20 May at the Louis II Stadium, pitting Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer against MI Monaco SAM, who won the tournament last season against Vinci Construction Monaco.

The tournament brought together 8 teams of 11 players each for a friendly sporting competition. Before qualifying for the final, the SBM and Princess Grace Hospital Centre teams were tied for first place in the group stage of the tournament.

There was a lively atmosphere at the Louis II Stadium during the final. Despite many good attempts from both sides, the match ended 0-0 before going to penalties.

During the penalty shootout, MI Monaco's second player SAM was unable to score, while the four Monte-Carlo SBM players scored all their shots. Goalkeeper Thibault Pitraye secured the victory for his team with a brilliant save (4:3). The spectators cheered and the SBM team proudly raised the tournament trophy.

The challenge started in September and 38 SBM employees formed the future winning team. The captains of the SBM team were Julien Carles and Eric Fissore and the coach of the team was Thierry Petit.

Several SBM personalities were in the audience cheering on their players, including Stephane Valeri, Vice-President of SBM, Albert Manzone, the Group's Managing Director, Vincent Bouvet, the Administrative and Financial Director, Virginie Cotta, the General Secretary, and Sophie Vincent, the Human Resources Director.

Last year, the SBM (under the name Casino de Monte-Carlo) won the Trophée de la Ville de Monaco against the City Hall of Monaco (2:0). Now the SBM has also won the challenge of Prince Rainier III.

The Prince Rainier III Challenge has been organized annually since 1975, when Prince Rainier III requested that a football tournament be held in Monaco. The Challenge is now considered the most important football tournament for amateur teams in the Principality.