Darts World Cup 2023: Gabriel Clemens beats Gerwyn Price and is in the World Cup semifinals

The German darts professional Gabriel Clemens is sensationally in the semi-finals of the World Cup in London. The 39-year-old from Saarwellingen won his quarter-finals on Sunday evening at Alexandra Palace with a sensational 5-1 win over world number one Gerwyn Price from Wales.

The entry of the “German Giant” into the round of the top eight was the first of a German darts player in the history of the world championship.

“It’s fantastic. Thank you Germany!” Said an enthusiastic Clemens after his masterpiece, while the fans roared in the background. “I have no words for it. Winning against the world number one is incredible. Happy New Year!”

Clemens entered the stage at around 8:50 p.m. to the usual sounds of Oasis. The numerous German supporters ensured an appropriate reception, the rest of the fan base cheered on the television screens at home.

“Gaga” Clemens plays almost 100 average

“If I’m back at the right moments, I can be dangerous for him here and there,” the Saarwellinger had shown himself quite aggressive before the match. But things didn’t really go well for Clemens at the beginning – the 2021 world champion easily secured the first set.

But the “German Giant” fought his way into the match: His first 180 woke up “Ally Pally”, the first break a little later made him boil – the second set, as well as the third set a little later, started 3-1 in the legs the Germans.

At the latest after Clemens had won the fourth set against the ailing ex-world champion, the sensation seemed within reach. The German acted at a consistently high level and gradually unnerved the high favorite (Clemens’ average: 99.94).

“It was the greatest match of my life,” added Clemens, adding that he was “very happy” – partly because of the support from the numerous German supporters in London’s Alexandra Palace: “It’s incredible when the fans in Ally Pally sing German songs .”

Price plays with noise canceling headphones

Curious: At the beginning of the fifth set of the quarterfinals, “Iceman” Price put on huge noise protection headphones and played with them – a first at the Darts World Cup.

Price then switched to less noticeable earbuds in the sixth set.

But that didn’t help him avoid defeat either. In the end, Clemens checked an eight for a clear 5:1 success (0:3, 3:1, 3:1, 3:1, 3:1, 3:0) – and “Ally Pally” cooked.

Smith knocks out Bunting – Clayton out

The “Bully Boy” led clearly for a long time and finally used his second match dart to make it 3:1 in the eighth set.

In the last quarter-final, top favorite Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) easily defeated Englishman Chris Dobey 5-0.

In the semi-finals he meets Dimitri van den Bergh, who made it into the top four at a World Cup for the first time in his career. The 28-year-old Belgian previously beat Welshman Jonny Clayton 5-3.

(with SID)