World Championships in London - Merry Christmas for darts pros - quartet in round three
The ripped-off Ricardo Pietreczko shook his fist at the German fans and gave legendary darts referee Russ Bray a big hug. After the narrow 3:2 win against England's Callan Rydz, Pietreczko, nicknamed Pikachu, was left with a huge burden at the World Championship.
"It was definitely not an easy match. I knew I had to step on the gas again," said the 29-year-old from Nuremberg in London, describing the close duel.
Pietreczko, Gabriel Clemens, Martin Schindler and Florian Hempel: For the first time, four German representatives are in the third round after Christmas. The black, red and gold prospects at the legendary Alexandra Palace are better than ever.
And debutant Pietreczko gets the absolute highlight match, facing top favorite Luke Humphries from England. "I've never played such a long mode before. I'll see how it goes. Humphries is just as much an opponent as Callan Rydz," said the confident Pietreczko on Sport1.
"Kiss my ass"
The decisive factor against Rydz was above all the high double rate with which Pietreczko punished his opponent's carelessness ice-cold. In round one, the World Championship debutant, nicknamed Pikachu, had won 3:0 against Mikuru Suzuki from Japan. Pietreczko is the German high-flyer in 2023 and won a top-class tournament in Hildesheim in October. But the biggest possible test now awaits Humphries, nicknamed "Cool Hand Luke".
Florian Hempel has already exceeded expectations. The 33-year-old from Cologne only secured a World Championship ticket at the last minute and has now defeated Dylan Slevin (Ireland) and star player Dimitri van den Bergh (Belgium) in succession. "Fuck you," Hempel shouted to his loved ones in the video after the World Cup madness on Friday evening.
With two ten-darters in a row, among other things, the German had turned around a 0:2 deficit against the world-class professional. "I've already celebrated a comeback or two. You must never lose faith in yourself. The emotions are much higher than two years ago. It's great emotionally," said Hempel, who had already beaten van den Bergh at the World Championships two years ago. He had played himself "into a frenzy".
Schindler's top opponent eliminated
The two seeded Germans Schindler and Clemens were most likely to make it through to round three. While Clemens, who unexpectedly reached the World Championship semi-finals last year, now faces a complicated task in England's Dave Chisnall, Schindler has slightly better prospects.
The 27-year-old from Strausberg will not face Dutch top player Danny Noppert in round three, but his opponent Scott Williams from England. "I think it's no secret to say that Scott Williams will be an easier draw than Danny Noppert. But Williams shouldn't be underestimated either. I think that if I play like I did today, I should win, but only time will tell," said Schindler.
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- Pietreczzo's victory over Rydz advanced him to the third round of the PDC darts-wm in Great Britain, where he will face English favorite Luke Humphries.
- The triumphant celebration of four German darts players, including Pietreczzo, Clemens, Schindler, and Hempel, marked the first time in history that four Germans made it to the third round after Christmas.
- Germany's Gabriele Clemens will face a demanding challenge against Dave Chisnall from England, while Martin Schindler takes on English opponent Scott Williams in round three.
- Hempel overcame a challenging 0:2 deficit bordering on elimination, thanks to his sheer passion for the sport and two consecutive ten-darters, following his historic victory against Dimitri van den Bergh in 2021.
- In the face of van den Bergh's superior skills, Hempel echoed his earlier sentiments by shouting, "Fuck you," to his supporters in the video, expressing the intense emotions flowing from his triumph.
- Originally expected to secure only an invite as a substitute, Hempel's unexpected qualification for the PDC darts-wm drew cheers from his loved ones and proved them wrong.
- Having previously bested Danny Noppert at the World Championships, Hempel's formidable victory against van den Bergh and chance encounter with Schindler in the round of 32 make this year's competition the most unforgettable yet for the darts enthusiast.
- Meanwhile, darts enthusiasts in Germany will watch the clock as the BAG showcases top performances at the legendary Alexandra Palace Sport1 in London.
- Forward-thinking German individuals such as Pietreczko, Hempel, and Schindler look to emulate their successes beyond the realm of darts and continue to represent Germany in various international Sports1 events.
- Despite the excitement surrounding German players in the round of 32, their opponents, including Humphries, Chisnall, and Williams, should never be underestimated, and an underdog story may yet unfold in the darts World Championships.
Source: www.stern.de
