“Iceman” out vs. Brendan Dolan
Gerwyn Price sensationally fails at the Darts World Cup
December 28, 2023, 9:57 p.m
The Darts World Cup experiences its first big surprise after the Christmas break: Gerwyn Price fails in the third round against Northern Irishman Brendan Dolan. The “Iceman” cannot continue to build on his 2021 World Cup title.
Former world champion Gerwyn Price was surprisingly eliminated from the Darts World Championship in London. The “Iceman”, as the former professional rugby player from Wales is called, lost 4-2 to Northern Irishman Brendan Dolan in the third round that evening and has to prematurely give up his dream of a second title after 2021.
Dolan benefited from the World Championship’s special set mode for the second time during the tournament. In his opening game against Mickey Mansell, Dolan had already won fewer legs than his opponent and still won the game. The Northern Irishman was also down 13:14 in the leg against Price, but won the game 4:2 after sets and is sensationally in the round of 16.
For Price, the early exit is the second bitter World Cup disappointment in a row after he was eliminated 1:5 against Gabriel Clemens in the quarterfinals of the last World Cup. Until the end, the Welshman had pushed himself again and again and wanted to show his stoic opponent the limits. It only worked selectively. Dolan used his second match dart on double 20 to make it 4:2.
In the round of 16, the 50-year-old could face the next former world champion if Gary Anderson wins against Croatian outsider Boris Krcmar on Friday evening.
The afternoon session was all about the English. After Stephen Bunting’s clear 4-0 win over German Florian Hempel, Joe Cullen also won (4-2 against compatriot Ryan Searle). Chris Dobey and Ross Smith fought a thrilling duel with high scores and close sets. Dobey ended up winning 4-2 after losing two consecutive sets after taking a 2-0 lead. He will face world champion and compatriot Michael Smith in the round of 16.