The chances are good. In the preliminary group F with China (Thursday, 11 p.m.) and Guyana (Friday), the Austrians are considered the clear favorites. Anything other than reaching the round of 16 would be a nasty surprise. But last year, too, an unexpected defeat against Denmark quickly dashed all hopes.
The Austrians are seeded tenth among the 40 participating countries, but have been struggling to reach their best form for months. This year, neither of them was able to qualify for a match on the financially strong European Tour. The 52-year-old “The Gentle” Suljovic and his 30-year-old long-term training partner Rodriguez are slipping further and further down the world rankings.
Good memories
While Suljovic keeps playing well, Rodriguez has mostly been playing with an average of 80 points in recent weeks, which leaves professionals with little chance of winning. However, the red-white-red darts artists’ harmony in their teamwork and their success in this format over the last few years speak for themselves.
The two Viennese even reached the final of this competition, which has been contested exclusively in doubles matches since last year, in 2021, where they lost to Scotland. In 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 they made it to the quarterfinals. Along with Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan and Ireland’s William O’Connor, Suljovic is one of only three players who have always taken part in the Team World Championship since its introduction in 2010.
IMAGO/Action Plus/Katie Chan In 2021, Rowby-John Rodriguez and Mensur Suljovic only had to bow to Scotland in the World Cup final
For Suljovic (PDC-56th) and Rodriguez (53rd), the World Championship is therefore a good opportunity to gain confidence in the fight for prize money and the world rankings. As things stand, neither of them would be qualified for the individual World Championship in London’s Alexandra Palace starting in mid-December.
Top stars and legends
The group winners advance to the round of 16, where they are drawn against the four top-seeded nations: England, Wales, the Netherlands and Scotland. England will be competing with world champion Luke Humphries and Michael “Bullyboy” Smith. Vice world champion and darts prodigy Luke Littler is missing because only the two top-ranked players from each country in the PDC rankings are nominated.
Defending champions Wales will be represented by Jonny Clayton, who will play with Jim Williams because Gerwyn Price had to withdraw due to illness. The Netherlands will be represented for the first time in three years by Michael van Gerwen, who will be partnered by Danny Noppert. Scotland will be sending out veterans and crowd favourites Gary Anderson and Peter Wright.
The duos from Northern Ireland (Josh Rock, Brendan Dolan), Australia (Damon Heta, Simon Whitlock) and the feuding Belgian pairing Dimitri van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts could also have a good chance of winning the 80,000 Euro prize. Also taking part is 70-year-old darts legend Paul “The Singapore Slinger” Lim, who will be competing for the Asian city-state together with Harith Lim. The winning duo will receive 80,000 Euro in Frankfurt.
2024-06-27 12:48:17
#Darts #Team #World #Championship #opportunity #Austrians
