German darts history was already written on Saturday at the German Darts Championship in Hildesheim. For the first time, three Germans made it to the round of 16 of a European Tour tournament, at least two were still in the quarterfinals – and one, yes one, sensationally stayed there until the very last dart.
And Ricardo Pietreczko actually held it in his own hands. When he had sunk it into the small field of double 16, he fell forward and lay on his stomach on the stage while the defeated Peter Wright applauded next to him and the big party began in the audience below, five days before his 29th birthday. In disbelief, Pietreczko put his hands over his eyes and stood briefly on the carpet.
The past few minutes may have happened again in fast motion. He defeated the heavy favorites from Scotland 8:4. What was even more astonishing than the result was the way in which Pietreczko, who was born in Berlin and lives in Nuremberg, set this milestone. He had a high finish four times, checking more than 100 points to win the leg. In the end it was a 104 that brought him victory. It was unbelievable that he managed to hit all eight of his attempts on the double fields. He didn’t make a single mistake, the double rate remained at 100 percent over twelve legs: pure world class.
For the album: Ricardo Pietreczko (left) and Peter Wright, the finalists of the German Darts Championship 2023
Quelle: PDC Europe/Jonas Hunold
But perhaps the mental cinema also began its film deeper in the past. In 2019, for example, when he was excluded from the German Super League because the painter and varnisher had skipped two match days for professional reasons. Or last year, when he wanted to give up again after his first twelve months on the professional tour – due to a lack of prospects of success. “Pikachu”, as he was nicknamed, simply didn’t feel good enough to justify the many trips to England for himself and those around him. Or a few weeks ago, when he didn’t reward himself for his good performances at the Players Championship tournaments and narrowly missed the World Grand Prix after the World Matchplay.
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Now, after Max Hopp, he is only the second German to win a tournament on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) professional tour. And the first whose match could be seen live on German TV. Hopp’s last success at the German Darts Open in Saarbrücken was five years ago and could not be followed on television at the time.
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“It feels like a dream. “I have often dreamed of winning a title like this, but I would never have thought that it would actually happen,” said the overwhelmed tournament winner and thanked the audience once again, which, after the derailments of some individuals on the final day, was a pleasantly fair and competent one left an impression. The fans joined the German success story of the weekend. Bravo!
Clemens misses match darts against van Gerwen
Pietreczko’s run began on Friday. His goal was a win against Mickey Mansell, with which he wanted to qualify for the European Darts Championship in Dortmund. But the story continued with successes in the German duel against Martin Schindler. On Sunday he defeated the Englishman Stephen Bunting with an average of 102 points per shot and then turned his attention to the big ones.
In the semifinals he beat three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in what was probably one of the most dramatic matches of the year. After another outstanding performance, the German was already 6:3 ahead, but then missed a single field in the tenth and eleventh legs to earn a match dart and had to go into the decider, which he won spectacularly in ten darts decided.
Crazy ideas: Ricardo “Pikachu” Pietreczko thrilled the fans in Hildesheim
Quelle: PDC Europe/Jonas Hunold
Even against Wright, after all a two-time world champion, Pietreczko laid the foundation for success early on, worked out a 4-0 lead and confidently brought the lead to the finish line with strong scoring and even stronger nerves against an improving opponent. “Next year it’s time to defend the title,” said “Pikachu” later, grinning at the end of a weekend that was actually only supposed to bring him qualification for the so-called European Championships.
Now he has secured a place in German darts history, has also qualified for the Grand Slam of Darts and jumped to 16th place in the Order of Merit of the Pro Tour, which made it onto the seeding list on the European Tour justified. In the world rankings he climbed from 63rd to 52nd. Since he has no prize money to defend in the list based on the results of the last two years, he is likely to appear among the top 32 in the world after the World Cup.
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The German number one has long since established itself there. And in Hildesheim things went better for Gabriel Clemens than ever before on the European Tour. “Gaga” made it to the final evening with a 6:4 win against Ross Smith and was about to reach the semi-finals for the first time. Against van Gerwen he was 4:3 ahead in the quarterfinals, but was unable to take advantage of four chances to make it 5:3 and ultimately lost to the world number two in the decider. His average after the eleven legs was 90.36. Nico Kurz, the third German in the round of 16, was eliminated 3:6 against Peter Wright on Sunday afternoon.
Recognition: Michael van Gerwen (right) narrowly held his own against Gabriel Clemens
Quelle: PDC Europe/Jonas Hunold
Results German Darts Championship
2nd round
Rob Cross (ENG) – Gian van Veen (NED) 6:5
Ryan Searle (ENG) – Martin Lukeman (ENG) 4:6
Danny Noppert (NED) – Jules van Dongen (USA) 2:6
Damon Heta (AUS) – Darryl Pilgrim (ENG) 6:4
Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED) – George Killington (ENG) 0:6
Josh Rock (NIR) – Stephen Bunting (ENG) 3:6
Jonny Clayton (WAL) – Nico Kurz (D) 5:6
Ross Smith (ENG) – Daryl Gurney (NIR) 6:3
Joe Cullen (ENG) – Arron Monk (ENG) 6:4
Dave Chisnall (ENG) – Gabriel Clemens (D) 2:6
Nathan Aspinall (NEG) – James Wade (ENG) 4:6
Martin Schindler (D) – Ricardo Pietreczko (D) 2:6
Michael van Gerwen (NED) – Steve Lennon (IRL) 6:3
Peter Wright (SCO) – Chris Dobey (ENG) 6:2
Luke Humphries (ENG) – Boris Krcmar (CRO) 6:2
Michael Smith (ENG) – Alan Soutar (SCO) 6:5
Round of 16
Ross Smith (ENG) – Gabriel Clemens (D) 4:6
Michael van Gerwen (NED) – Joe Cullen (ENG) 6:5
Ricardo Pietreczko (D) – George Killington (ENG) 6:2
Stephen Bunting (ENG) – Jules van Dongen (USA) 6:5
Damon Heta (AUS) – Martin Lukeman (ENG) 6:5
Peter Wright (SCO) – Nico Kurz (D) 6:3
Luke Humphries (ENG) – James Wade (ENG) 6:0
Michael Smith (ENG) – Rob Cross (ENG) 5:6
Quarterfinals
Gabriel Clemens (D) – Michael van Gerwen (NED) 5:6
Ricardo Pietreczko (D) – Stephen Bunting (ENG) 6:4
Damon Heta (AUS) – Peter Wright (SCO) 4:6
Luke Humphries (ENG) – Rob Cross (ENG) 6:4
Semifinals
Michael van Gerwen (NED) – Ricardo Pietreczko (D) 6:7
Peter Wright (SCO) – Luke Humphries (ENG) 7:5
Endgame
Ricardo Pietreczko (D) – Peter Wright (SCO) 8:4
