European Championship
Pietreczko misses another darts coup
Ricardo Pietreczko lost his round of 16 against Michael van Gerwen 7:10. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
Darts star Michael van Gerwen is one size too big for the new German hope Ricardo Pietreczko at the European Championships. The European Championship debutant still sees the tournament as a success.
The European Darts Championship is for debutants Ricardo Pietreczko finished after a defeat against the Dutch world-class player Michael van Gerwen.
The 29-year-old from Nuremberg, nicknamed Pikachu, had to admit defeat 7:10 in the round of 16 in Dortmund and therefore did not make it to the final day.
Two weeks ago, Pietreczko defeated the former leader in Hildesheim and then surprisingly won the European Tour tournament. This time “Mighty Mike”, as van Gerwen is called, was too strong.
Price and Wright also continued
For van Gerwen, the quarter-finals on Sunday (from 1 p.m./DAZN and Sport1) will be against compatriot Gian van Veen, who won his game against Daryl Gurney (Northern Ireland) 10:6. Former world champions Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright are also in the last eight. The Welshman Price beat the Englishman Nathan Aspinall 10:5. Wright (Scotland) defeated reigning world champion Michael Smith (England) 10:4.
According to Pietreczko, the tournament was still a success. In contrast to Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler, who are still winless after four participations, he managed to win straight away at his European Championship debut.
“Many people are starting to have me on their list now. I’m living my dream. That’s the only thing I can say about it,” said Pietreczko after his 6-3 opening win over England’s Ross Smith, who became European champion last year. Pietreczko, Schindler and Clemens are certainly qualified for the World Cup in London (December 15th to January 3rd).