World Cup in London
Clemens drained after success in darts thriller
Gabriel Clemens celebrates his entry into the Round of 16 of the Darts World Cup. photo
© Steven Paston/PA Wire/dpa
Gabriel Clemens makes darts Germany dream. The 4:3 victory over Welsh Williams offers dramatic scenes. The Saarlander will be a guest again on Wednesday evening at “Ally Pally”.
Gabriel Clemens looked completely flat. The successful seven-set crime thriller against Jim Williams made the “German Giant”, who is now in the round of sixteen at a darts world championship for the second time, cheer like never before.
“Most of the time it’s best not to say anything at all. The interviews after the game are usually the worst. I was actually dead, but then I had a good moment or two. I don’t know why that worked,” said the 39-year-old directly afterwards at Sport1. The 4: 3 over the Welshman Williams offered a great spectacle – and an impressive catch-up race by the German number one.
Before the round of 16 continues, Clemens will be a guest again today at London’s Alexandra Palace. This time as mental support for buddy Martin Schindler, who later in the evening (10.45 p.m. / Sport1 and DAZN) challenges the English World Cup finalist Michael Smith. Schindler again witnessed live on Tuesday how Clemens survived the thriller in “Ally Pally”, although Williams had a match dart.
Who will be Clemens’ next opponent?
In the afternoon, the next Clemens opponent will be determined between Dutchman Danny Noppert and Alan Soutar from Scotland. “In the round of 16 there’s nothing worse. Noppert is having a fantastic year. I have to take care of myself, then I can be dangerous for anyone,” explained the German leader.
In a duel with Williams, who at times played furiously and led 3-2 sets, he was about to be eliminated. According to his darts colleague Max Hopp, he was “speechless”. “Gaga showed such nerves,” said Hopp, who is an expert on Sport1 in London. National player Thomas Müller congratulated on Twitter. “What a great #darts match by Gabriel Clemens,” wrote the Bayern professional.