World Championships in London - "Getting closer is not enough": darts quintet nurtures hope
Gabriel Clemens now has to bundle the numerous inquiries into a press conference, Ricardo Pietreczko talks directly about the world championship title: led by last year's semi-finalist and the brash debutant, the Germans are going into the World Darts Championship in London with better prospects than ever before.
The freakish Pietreczko, nicknamed Pikachu, even proclaims without any modesty the greatest possible goal of all for Alexandra Palace: "I'm going to the tournament to win it. That's what 90 percent of the players have in mind. You'd be lying if you said: I'm going there to get knocked out in the third round. You always want to win." Up until this year, German professionals have not been so ambitious when it comes to goals and expectations.
Premiere with five starters
The fact that he could meet England's top favorite Luke Humphries in round three doesn't matter to the 29-year-old from Nuremberg. "There is no big favorite. There are many favorites, but not one. You've seen often enough that anyone can beat anyone on the tour," Pietreczko told the German Press Agency. He himself defeated the world-class pros Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) and Peter Wright (Scotland) one after the other in Hildesheim in October.
The Ally Pally in North London is increasingly becoming a stronghold of the Germans. For the first time, five Germans will be taking part in the World Championship, which starts on Friday (20:00/Sport1 and DAZN), including Martin Schindler, Florian Hempel and Dragutin Horvat alongside Clemens and Pietreczko. In addition, around a quarter of the 90,000 tickets have been sold to Germans. Especially after Christmas, the rush of fans is huge.
Still no top 20 player
"It's obviously a great development that we're experiencing in Germany. Not only are there more players. The sporting successes are also increasing," said Hempel, who used to be a handball goalkeeper and now throws darts. With a view to the high expectations of darts fans hungry for success, Schindler added: "I think you can see that overall, the Germans are getting closer and closer. But getting closer is not enough for the Germans. The Germans want to see tournament wins."
Although there are still no Germans in the top 20 of the world rankings, the successes are actually increasing. Clemens' semi-final appearance at the World Championships made it onto the 8 p.m. news at the start of the year. Clemens and Schindler then also reached the semi-finals of the World Team Championships as a team. Pietreczko became a high-flyer and won a tournament with a prominent line-up. In addition, more fans attended the PDC Europe events in 2023 than in any other previous year.
"Permanently better"
The international competition has also been taking a closer look since Clemens outplayed Primus Gerwyn Price at the World Championships and played his way into the spotlight of the world's top players. "Gabriel is breathtaking, Martin is breathtaking. And Pikachu is only just appearing on the scene," praised former world champion Rob Cross. Darts boss Werner von Moltke judges: "The level of the German players is constantly improving."
This will be put to the test at the World Championships. Clemens will probably already be challenged in round two against the Dutch high-flyer Gian van Veen. Schindler (possible round three against the Dutchman Danny Noppert) and Pietreczko are also expected to face high hurdles before the round of 16. Hempel (in action for the first time on Sunday evening) and Horvat are starting the tournament, which has prize money of around 2.9 million euros, as outsiders.
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- The German darts quintet, led by last year's semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens and brash debutant Ricardo Pietreczko, nicknamed "Pikachu," is headed to the World Darts Championship in London with improved prospects compared to previous years.
- Despite potentially facing England's top favorite Luke Humphries in the third round, Pietreczko remains confident, stating that there are many favorites but no one standout in the tournament.
- In addition to Clemens and Pietreczko, other German players set to compete in the World Darts Championship include Martin Schindler, Florian Hempel, and Dragutin Horvat, making it the first time five Germans will participate in the event.
- With over a quarter of the 90,000 tickets sold to Germans, the Ally Pally in North London is becoming a stronghold for the German contingent, sparking hope among fans and players alike.
- Although no German has cracked the top 20 of the world rankings, the sporting successes are on the rise, with Clemens, Schindler, and Pietreczko leading the charge.
- The International Darts Organization (IDO) has taken notice of the rising talent in Germany, with former world champion Rob Cross praising players like Clemens, Schindler, and Pietreczko for their impressive play.
- German Darts Federation (PDC) president Werner von Moltke agrees, stating that the level of German players is consistently improving.
- As the tournament commences, the Germans, including Pietreczko, Clemens, Schindler, Hempel, and Horvat, will look to challenge the best players in the world, including English heavyweights, in pursuit of tournament wins.
Source: www.stern.de
