The German fans were excitedly expecting “Gaga will be world champion,” four German fans dressed as Teletubbies told Alexandra Palace. Their declaration of war was shown by Gabriel Clemens on the video screens in the West Hall immediately before the World Cup second round match. Numerous Germans in the audience cheered in Clemens jerseys, and a group of four positioned themselves in the walk-on corridor in specially made “German Giant” jumpsuits with the 180 on the chest. However, Clemens would only throw it three times in the following four sets. He deservedly lost 1:3 to Robert Owen.
Big celebrations from the Welshman, who still needed the win to earn his tour card for the coming season. On the German side, however, there was only disappointment. “I felt like I had the match under control from the start,” Owen said later, “especially since Gabriel didn’t play what he was capable of playing.”
Two years after his semi-final coup, the 41-year-old’s World Cup ended right at the start this time. In the past four years he had always reached at least the third round.
A tricky year now awaits the Saarlander, who has to fight his way back into the top 32 in the world. He is also only the German number three behind Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko. The World Cup in the summer is likely to take place without him.
Clemens actually started the match well, completed his throw confidently, but then missed two darts on double 16 for an early break. When the score was 2:1, the German needed five darts to checkout. In the decider, despite a miscalculation by his opponent, he no longer received any darts on a double field.
The first set went to Wales 2-3, and Owen was also able to take advantage of his opponent’s further mistakes. Clemens missed three darts on double 10 and lost his serve to make it 0-2 in the second set. The next blow to the neck followed immediately in the third round. “Gaga” gave up his serve, then sent another sign of life with a 117 to make it 1-1 and used the advantage to win the set 3-1.
He now announced that he would turn the game around and managed the break he needed with another high finish – this time a 143. But the Welshman held on and lost 81 points to the German’s loss of serve, who was unable to use two more checkdarts to force the decider.
“He’s a wonderful guy that I like very much,” said Owen about his German opponent: “I don’t want to say I’m sorry, but I hope he achieves better results again soon.”
Clemens showed a decent performance overall. The 92.39 points average wasn’t enough that day against his somewhat surprisingly strong opponent. The 40-year-old, who beat Niels Zonneveld 3-1 in the first round, averaged 98.97 points. “Maybe the best game I’ve ever played,” said a happy Owen, who also had some praise for the German fans: “I think they’re great. They were very respectful today too.”
If Lutz Wöckener isn’t just anyone Sport in self-experimentation tried it out, he writes about darts and sports politics, but sometimes also something off-kilter like football.
Darts World Cup, results, December 19th
Chris Landman (NED) – Lok Yin Lee (HKG) 1:3 (3:2, 0:3, 0:3, 0:3)
Callan Rydz (ENG) – Romeo Grbavac (CRO) 3:0 (3:0, 3:1, 3:1)
Martin Lukeman (ENG) – Nitin Kumar (IND) 3:1 (2:3, 3:1, 3:1, 3:1)
2. Round
Gabriel Clemens (D/27) – Robert Owen (Wales) 1:3 (2:3, 0:3, 3:1, 1:3)
1st round (from 8 p.m.)
Nick Kenny (WAL) – Stowe Buntz (USA)
Mensur Suljovic (AUT) – Matt Campbell (CAN)
Scott Williams (ENG) – Niko Springer (D)
2. Round
Michael Smith (ENG/2) – Kevin Doets (NED)
Darts World Cup, schedule for December 20th
1st round (from 1.30 p.m.)
Stephen Burton (ENG) – Alexander Merkx (NED)
Wessel Nijman (NED) – Cameron Carolissen (RSA)
Ian White (ENG) – Sandro Eric Sosing (PHI)
2. Round
Stephen Bunting (ENG/8) – Kai Gotthardt (D)
1st round (from 8 p.m.)
Mickey Mansell (NIR) – Tomoya Goto (JPN)
Florian Hempel (D) – Jeffrey De Zwaan (NED)
William O‘Connor (IRL) – Dylan Slevin (IRL)
2. Round
Michael van Gerwen (NED/3) – James Hurrell (ENG)
