Out in the eighth final
“Pikachu” has to bow to darts star van Gerwen
October 29, 2023, 1:03 a.m
“I’m living my dream,” said German darts hope Ricardo Pietreczko after the opening victory of the European Championship. Now the dream is over in the round of 16 – superstar Michael van Gerwen is too strong.
The European Darts Championship is over for debutant Ricardo Pietreczko 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 on Saturday evening 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.
In the quarter-finals on Sunday from 1 p.m., van Gerwen will face 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 in the afternoon. Wright (Scotland) defeated reigning world champion Michael Smith (England) 10:4.
“I live my dream”
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 from December 15th to January 3rd.