Victory against Poland, now England: Germany can continue to dream after the darts drama

Victory against Poland, now England
Germany can continue to dream after the darts drama

By Kevin Schulte, Frankfurt
06/18/2023 10:29 am

The German national darts team defeated Poland in the round of 16 of the Team World Cup and can continue to hope for the big coup. But first England must be cleared out of the way. And Belgium is also dreaming of a World Cup coup after a darts battle against the Netherlands.

The German national darts team did what the DFB team failed to do in Warsaw the night before: Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler defeated Poland on the third day of the tournament at the Team World Championships in Frankfurt am Main in a thrilling thriller 8:6. The German duo had gone into the round of 16 as favorites, but the Poles had gained a lot of respect the day before when they set a new point average world record for a doubles game at the World Cup of Darts.

“We knew that Poland were dangerous opponents. I didn’t live up to expectations at all, but the World Cup is a team game and I’m very happy that ‘Gaga’ pulled me through today,” was Schindler’s conclusion after the Game.

Schindler’s point average with three darts at the end of the game was a weak 79 points, but Clemens tore it out again with 96. “If one doesn’t score, the other has to be there,” said the “German Giant”. The ultimately decisive leg to 8:6 was exemplary. Martin Schindler missed three match darts in a row, missed double 12, double 6 and double 3. Because Poland could not take advantage of this, Germany got a new chance. Clemens, who was in a good mood, checked the unpleasant three points left uncompromisingly.

“England is a big board”

“Now I hope that we both score well in the next game,” said Clemens with regard to the quarter-finals in the afternoon against darts’ home country England. Germany is outsiders against world champion Michael Smith and ex-champion Rob Cross and still counts on opportunities. “England are tough, will be very difficult to beat, but if we both play our game then I see a good chance for us,” said Schindler.

In the history of the tournament, Germany has once been in the semi-finals, which, like the final, will be played tonight. Is the title even possible for Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler this year? “We’ve been saying that for years. I hope that we’ll make it to the semifinals first and then we’ll just keep looking,” Clemens didn’t want to waste any thought on the big sensation after the win against Poland. “I hope we can manage that we both ride the wave. And then we’ll see.”

Belgium despite boos against Netherlands

Belgium had just beaten the Netherlands in a dramatic game. The duo of Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts won 8:7 against Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode. In the deciding leg, it was Van den Bergh who kept his cool and converted the match dart to double 16. An epic moment followed.

At a score of 7:7, there was no stopping the around 3,500 fans in the sold-out ice rink this Saturday evening. Dimitri Van den Bergh’s turn for Belgium. There are 32 points left on the scoreboard. A lucky double 16. But the many Dutch fans in the first rows directly below the stage try to make the decisive throw as difficult as possible for Van den Bergh. They boo and whistle, making a deafening noise. Doubles partner Huybrechts, who stands behind Van den Bergh, tries to calm down the fans with soothing gestures. But Van den Bergh has another plan. Instead of going to the oche, he turns and demonstratively faces the fans.

“The louder the better”

“I wanted them to boo even louder. The louder the better. I wanted a noise floor at a constant level. Then something like that is more bearable,” Van den Bergh explained the bizarre moment at the press conference after the game. “I hated it, told him concentrate, you’ve got three darts, just put one in,” said Huybrechts with a wink. “From now on I can always do it this way,” said Van den Bergh.

In the quarter-finals, Belgium with Van den Bergh and Huybrechts, who caused a scandal at the start of the tournament, will meet defending champions Australia this Sunday afternoon. Top favorites Wales also face outsiders Sweden, while Scotland face surprise team France before the big showdown between Germany and England in the final game of the afternoon.