Darts World Cup: “What are you doing?” – Disappointing finish for Ricardo Pietreczko | EUROtoday

Ricardo Pietreczko had really already celebrated the breast launch with the intention to actually arrive on stage. The German quantity two in darts had simply equalized after units to make it 1-1 – and made an actual assertion within the course of. 158 factors, the sixth highest end in darts, cleared underneath the best stress from his opponent. Pietreczko beat his chest wildly, roaring at his followers. However, anybody who thought that he had solved his job within the third spherical of the World Cup and unsettled the Swede Andreas Harrysson was mistaken.

“Pikachu” has had a wild curler coaster trip at this World Cup to date. First he survived circulatory issues in opposition to the Portuguese José de Sousa in spherical one, then a match dart and a shaking hand in opposition to the Englishman Dave Chisnall in spherical two.

The recreation in opposition to Andreas Harrysson, through which Pietreczko was the clear favourite, was one rollercoaster trip too many. “Pikachu” was eradicated disappointingly 2:4. Against the bearded Swede, who solely began the event as quantity 114, the 31-year-old German was as soon as once more shaky. Sometimes he misplaced 4 legs in a row, corresponding to instantly after the 158 end described. At instances there was a whole lack of top on the triple fields. Then he checked 116 factors once more to make his option to tying the set at 2-2, solely to throw in a shot with ten factors a short while later.

Audience upsets Pietreczko

“What are you doing?” Ricardo Pietreczko requested himself after the utterly tousled recording. Lip studying made simple. The essential statistic: Pietreczko utterly missed the triple greater than twice as typically as Harrysson. He could not sustain with the Swede within the fifth set both – Pietreczko had his again to the wall at 2:3.

Afterwards, Pietreczko additionally threw the viewers off their ft. At the start of the sixth set, the German needed to cease once more earlier than considered one of his photographs, apparently as a result of there had been whistles from the viewers. Referee Charlie Corstorphine gave a brief speech to the followers, urging them to chorus from such conduct.

The followers really supported Pietreczko. The German followers had already taken over the scepter within the Ally Pally at noon throughout Jonny Clayton’s recreation, who’s now ready for Harrysson within the spherical of 16. “Without Germany there would be nothing going on here,” sang the viewers. Traditionally, Borussia Dortmund additionally acquired their fats off with insulting songs.

The soccer membership is a well-liked vacation spot in social gathering areas the place there are notably many Germans, as is historically the case at Ally Pally after Christmas. The chants additionally happen recurrently within the Bierkönig and Megapark on Mallorca.

How a lot did BVB striker Maximilian Beier, who skilled the night within the Ally Pally identical to Gladbach star Tim Kleindienst and at instances acted as an knowledgeable on the DAZN microphone, discover? Like Pietreczko, he in all probability seen the numerous calls of “Pikachu” that got here from the German camp. They did not assist.

No statements after the defeat

Harrysson made the preliminary choice with a 146 end on the break after which transformed his second match dart on double 19. It was the most important victory of his life, as Harrysson later admitted on the press convention. Pietreczko didn’t need to remark afterwards and neither gave the broadcasting channels Sport1 and DAZN nor the ready print journalists solutions to their questions.

Pietreczko’s defeat offers a style of what may blossom on Sunday. Then there will probably be a German celebration on the World Cup. At noon, Martin Schindler will first face Ryan Searle in his third spherical recreation (1:40 p.m./Sport1 and DAZN). In the night, former semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens will play second-in-command Luke Humphries (approx. 9:30 p.m.) and debutant Arno Merk will play famous person Michael van Gerwen (approx. 10:40 p.m.). However, Clemens and Merk are clear outsiders of their video games, and Schindler additionally expects a difficult job with Searle. The German desires of an enormous coup might be over earlier than desired as a result of exit of Pietreczko, who had the best destiny for the Germans.

Darts World Cup 2026, outcomes third spherical

Wesley Plaisier (NED) – Krzysztof Ratajski (POL) 3:4

Andrew Gilding (ENG) – Luke Woodhouse (ENG/25) 1:4

Jonny Clayton (WAL/5) — Niels Zonneveld (NED) 4:3

from 8.15 p.m.:

Andreas Harrysson (SWE) – Ricardo Pietreczko (D) 4:2

Stephen Bunting (ENG/4) – James Hurrell

Luke Littler (ENG/1) – Mensur Suljovic (AUT)

Luca Wiecek is sports activities editor for WELT. He will probably be reporting from Alexandra Palace in London till New Year’s Eve.