Clemens strikes Kurz: German darts spectacle in "Ally Pally"

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Clemens proposes short
German darts spectacle in the "Ally Pally"

From Kevin Schulte

Gabriel Clemens wins a historic game at the Darts World Cup. In the first German World Cup duel on the biggest stage of the year, the "German Giant" prevailed against Nico Kurz. And is now looking forward to the duel with world champion Peter Wright.

Even the commentators on English television greet the audience in German when Gabriel Clemens and Nico Kurz take the stage for the last game of Monday evening: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." The match between the Saarlander and the young Hessen is a historic one. For the first time ever, two Germans meet at the Darts World Cup. And deliver a great match.

After a somewhat bumpy and nervous start, the duel between Clemens and Kurz turns into a spectacle. Clemens, who won a contested first set 3-2, also took the lead in the second round. But then Kurz suddenly plays the most breathtaking five minutes of the entire tournament. "Triple-Twenty, Triple-Twenty, Double-Twenty" – the 23-year-old Hesse makes 160 points to make it 1-1 in set two. In the next leg he completed a 123 finish with a throw into the "Bulls Eye". At least now, Clemens is only an extra in the second sentence. Two minutes later, when Kurz "checks" 161 points to win the set with three darts, the commentators come up against superlatives.

Briefly, the match seems to pull on his side, but did the math without Clemens. While Kurz seems to have shot his powder, the "German Giant" really turns it up. His scoring gets better and better, with almost every shot there is at least one dart in the triple segment, often two or three. Set three goes to the world number 31, who a little later also secures the fourth set and thus the match win. "I'm over the moon. It was a difficult game. Playing against a friend is always special," said Clemens after his 3-1 win. "I am sure that many German fans followed the game and enjoyed it."

Clemens against the world champion

The German darts fans will be back in front of the TV after Christmas. Then Gabriel Clemens meets defending champion Peter Wright in the round of 32. "That's the biggest thing. Playing against the best is my thing," said Germany's best professional darts player looking forward to his next appearance.

The 37-year-old would have had to spend Christmas in the player hotel in London anyway because of the tightened travel restrictions. With a win behind him and before the big game against the world champion, Clemens can calmly look to the next few days. "For the first time in 37 years I'm not at home for Christmas. But my wife is with me in London. We'll just celebrate Christmas in January or February."

Gerwyn Price can spend Christmas at home. As a Welshman, he is not affected by the strict travel restrictions. The fact that the world number three is still in the tournament is also thanks to a mishap of his opponent Jamie Lewis. The Welsh duel is surprisingly even from the start. Lewis, number 63 in the world, wins the first set against the title candidate. Price can turn the deficit after a horror start into a 2-1 lead, but promptly conceded the 2-2 equalizer.

Price trembles towards victory

In the first leg of the fifth set, Lewis has the chance to take the lead first. With two darts in hand, the 2018 World Cup semi-finalist has 48 points remaining. Then the disaster: Lewis falls over and hits the "Triple 16" with 48 points remaining. Because you have to end a leg with a throw in doubles, it's Price's turn. And the ex-rugby pro lives up to his nickname "Iceman". In the last sentence, Price no longer makes a mistake when throwing the doubles. "That wasn't my best performance. I was a little lucky in the fifth set," said Price at the subsequent press conference.

On the seventh day of the tournament, the first top 10 player also has to say goodbye. Despite a strong performance, Ian White finished the second round of the World Cup for the second time in a row. Because his opponent Kim Huybrechts from Belgium hits the eight millimeter narrow double fields more regularly. "It's pretty tough to spend Christmas here in the hotel. But if I have to be here, I'd better be after a win," said Huybrechts.

Today, Tuesday, two former world champions, Adrian Lewis and Rob Cross, join the board. Lewis meets the American Danny Baggish in the afternoon. "Jackpot" is the favorite, but it comes from a long form crisis. World number five Rob Cross can also look back on a weak year. The 2018 world champion is therefore not even the favorite against the number 43 in the world, Dirk van Duijvenbode. Because "Aubergenius" – as the Dutchman is called because of his work on an aubergine farm – is one of the biggest discoveries of the year. And could provide the next spectacle at the Darts World Cup.

In the podcast "Check out"Every morning you can listen to the most exciting stories from the Darts World Cup. You can also find the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.