Dhe anticipation was palpable. For fans, players and organizers. The corona pandemic had ensured that the European Tour 2020 and 2021 was almost completely canceled. In the past two years, no tournament could be held in a full hall on German soil.
A long period of abstinence for professionals and fans, especially in Germany. Seven of the 13 tournaments are held in Germany. The organizing PDC Europe was only able to compensate for the loss of their most important product thanks to creativity, flexibility and staff cuts.
The comeback of the European League at the International Darts Open in Riesa was supposed to be a public holiday, and many professionals expressed their happiness accordingly in the interviews on stage. Especially since television is also showing interest for the first time. Sport1 broadcasts four events of the tournament series, all events can be seen in full on DAZN, including the start in Riesa (quarter-finals live from 7 p.m.).
But critical tones could already be heard on Friday. Belgian Kim Huybrechts addressed the lack of sportsmanship with which some spectators watched his game against Florian Hempel. “Some ugly insults fell from the back of the hall. I speak a little German, I understood the words,” said Huybrechts and thanked Hempel for trying to calm the audience down.
Not an isolated case in the Sachsen Arena. The support for the seven German players was not limited to cheers. Consequently, misthrows by opponents were celebrated. Fans tried to disrupt and negatively influence the players’ performances.
The callers, above all Russ Bray, had to call the audience to reason several times on Friday and Saturday. A battle cry like “East, East, East Germany” may be fundamentally questionable. On Saturday, however, it was nonsensical in any case, since only two Germans had made it into the second round: Nico Kurz is a real Hesse, debutant Niko Springer comes from Siefersheim in Rhineland-Palatinate. Who or what should be celebrated there?
The role of the audience also occupied Peter Wright. Even the affection of the fans, who celebrated crowd favorite “Snakebite” in the usual manner, couldn’t stop the Scot from using his winning interview after the 6-0 win over Luke Woodhouse for a few clear words.
With a clear victory in the round of 16: Peter Wright left nothing to chance in Riesa
Source: PDC Europe/Kais Bodensieck
“Wait a second,” said the 51-year-old, interrupting his answer to a question about his sporting analysis of the second round win: “I thought we had a darts crowd here singing and supporting all the players? However, I suspect that won’t come until tomorrow. In any case, these fans here are very quiet and do not support all players.
Peter Wright is crowned world champion
Peter Wright has been crowned darts world champion for the second time. In the London “Ally Pally” the Scot prevailed against Michael Smith in a high-class final. For the “Bully Boy” it was his second World Cup final defeat after 2019.
A clear message from the industry leader to the unfair part of the audience. The majority celebrated the return to the German stage, especially on the final Sunday, as several players also noticed. “It’s wonderful to play in front of fans again. I’m English and they call my name here in Germany. I’m enjoying my time in Riesa,” said Nathan Aspinall.
The results in the overview
1 ROUND
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
Here darts professional Martin Schindler imitates his colleagues
Martin Schindler is not only one of the best German darts professionals. He is also an excellent impersonator. Here he recreates six world-class players. Do you recognize these players?
ROUND 2
Brian Raman (BEL) – Jose de Sousa (BY/2) 6:5
Damon Heta (AUS/12) – Daryl Gurney (NIL) 6:2
Left Williams (WAL) – Krzysztof Ratajski (POL / 10) 6: 5
Danny Noppert (NED / 13) – Mervyn King (ENG) 6: 3
Nico Springer (GER) – Brendan Dolan (NIL / 14) 6: 5
Kim Huybrechts (BEL) – Devon Petersen (RSA/9) 6:3
James Wade (ENG/8) – Vincent van der Voort (NED) 6:4
Nathan Aspinall (ENG/16) – Jeff Smith (CAN) 6:4
Dimitri van den Bergh (BEL) – Mensur Suljovic (AUT/15) 6:1
Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED/11) – Nico Kurz (GER) 6:0
Joe Cullen (ENG / 1) – Madars Razma (LAT) 6: 1
Michael van Gerwen (NED / 4) – Keane Berry (IRL) 6: 4
Gerwyn Price (WAL / 5) – Ritchie Edhouse (ENG) 6: 3
Jonny Clayton (WAL / 7) – Krzysztof Kciuk (POL) 6: 5
Peter Wright (SCO/3) – Luke Woodhose (ENG) 6:0
Michael Smith (ENG/6) – Simon Whitlock (AUS) 6: 4
ROUND OF 16
Nathan Aspinall (ENG/16) – Joe Cullen (ENG/1) 6:3
James Wade (ENG/8) – Kim Huybrechts (BEL) 6:1
Danny Noppert (NED / 13) – Michael van Gerwen (NED / 4) 6: 4
Gerwyn Price (WAL / 5) – Damon Heta (AUS / 12) 6: 2
Dimitri van den Bergh (BEL) – Brian Raman (BEL) 6:1
Jonny Clayton (WAL/7) – Lewy Williams (WAL) 6:4
Peter Wright (SCO/3) – Niko Springer (GER)
Michael Smith (ENG/6) – Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED/11)
QUARTERFINALS
Nathan Aspinall (ENG/16) – James Wade (ENG/8)
Danny Noppert (NED / 13) – Gerwyn Price (WAL / 5)
Dimitri van den Bergh (BEL) – Jonny Clayton (WAL/7)
Peter Wright (SCO / 3) / Niko Springer (GER) – Michael Smith (ENG / 6) / Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED / 11)