Kim Huybrechts had successfully completed the start of the European Tour. With a 6:3 against Florian Hempel from Cologne, the Belgian made it into the second round of the International Darts Open. “Old Kim is back and some players are not going to like that. I can beat anyone when I’m on fire,” said Huybrechts.
However, some spectators in the Sachsen Arena in Riesa didn’t like the fact that he was superior to the German number two. “The Hurricane” had to endure some insults during his first round match.
Apart from nice words, there was nothing for him to get: Florian Hempel
Quelle: Getty Images/Luke Walker
“Some ugly insults fell from the back of the hall. I speak a little German, I understood the words,” Huybrechts addressed the incident again on stage during his interview with the winner and thanked his opponent: “Florian told them not to do that. Thank you Florian That’s respect, that’s very nice.”
Hempel got nothing that evening apart from nice words, and most of the other Germans also got nothing. The qualifiers with youngster David Schlichting, World Cup participant Fabian Schmutzler and veteran Dragutin Horvat lost their start in the main field, and for the German number one the weekend was already over after Friday evening.
Gabriel Clemens lost the German duel 3:6 against Nico Kurz, who had so often been far below his potential. The form crisis of the “German Giant” continues. The Saarlander only hit three of his 15 attempts on doubles (20 percent) and ended up with an average of 89.67 points.
They also met at the World Cup a year ago: Back then, Gabriel Clemens (left) won against Nico Kurz
Quelle: Getty Images/Luke Walker
In the case of Kurz, on the other hand, relief spread. Gestures and facial expressions revealed the drop in pressure that set in after success. “This victory can be enormously important,” explained the two-time World Cup participant, who had to drop out of Q-School in January due to back problems: “The last few months have not gone so well. I wasn’t there playfully, but also mentally. I look forward to tomorrow. Stage is fun.”
In the second round on Saturday (from 1 p.m., live on DAZN) Kurz meets the Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode, who was also recently in the deep.
In addition to Kurz, there is another German with Niko Springer. The 21-year-old surprisingly defeated the Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena 6: 4. Springer had a strong 92 AP despite receiving some sad news prior to his debut, as he later recounted: “Of course I was very excited and I was happy that it worked out. Today my grandmother died and I dedicated the win to her and played for her.”
“The German Ricky Evans” now has to deal with the Northern Irishman Brendan Dolan. After the second round on Saturday, the round of 16 will be played on Sunday afternoon, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final following in the evening.
1st round results
Brian Raman (BEL) – David Schlichting (GER) 6:3
Niko Springer (GER) – Jermaine Wattimena (NED) 6: 4
Madars Razma (LAT) – Wayne Jones (ENG) 6: 4
Daryl Gurney (NIL) – Fabian Schmutzler (GER) 6:2
Vincent van der Voort (NED) – Adam Gawlas (SLK) 6:3
Luke Woodhouse (ENG) – Andy Boulton (ENG) 6:2
Keane Berry (IRL) – Ron Meulenkamp (NED) 6: 2
Ritchie Edhouse (ENG) – Ryan Searle (ENG) 6:4
Left Williams (WAL) – Dennis Nilsson (SWE) 6: 4
Mervyn King (ENG) – Janos Vegsö (HUN) 6: 3
Kim Huybrechts (BEL) – Florian Hempel (GER) 6:3
Dimitri van den Bergh (BEL) – Martin Lukeman (ENG) 6: 2
Krzysztof Kciuk (POL) – Rob Cross (ENG) 6: 1
Nico Kurz (GER) – Gabriel Clemens (GER) 6:3
Simon Whitlock (AUS) – Dragutin Horvat (GER) 6: 0
Jeff Smith (CAN) – Danny van Trijp (NED) 6: 4
2nd round, afternoon session
Jose de Sousa (POR/2) – Brian Raman (BEL)
Damon Heta (AUS/12) – Daryl Gurney (NIL)
Krzysztof Ratajski (POL / 10) – Left Williams (WAL)
Danny Noppert (NED / 13) – Mervyn King (ENG)
Brendan Dolan (NIL / 14) – Niko Springer (GER)
Devon Petersen (RSA/9) – Kim Huybrechts (BEL)
James Wade (ENG/8) – Vincent van der Voort (NED)
Nathan Aspinall (ENG/16) – Jeff Smith (CAN)
2nd round, evening session
Mensur Suljovic (AUT/15) – Dimitri van den Bergh (BEL)
Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED/11) – Nico Kurz (GER)
Joe Cullen (ENG / 1) – Madars Razma (LAT)
Michael van Gerwen (NED / 4) – Keane Berry (IRL)
Gerwyn Price (WAL / 5) – Ritchie Edhouse (ENG)
Jonny Clayton (WAL / 7) – Krzysztof Kciuk (POL)
Peter Wright (SCO/3) – Luke Woodhose (ENG)
Michael Smith (ENG/6) – Simon Whitlock (AUS)