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Pietreczko Wins Euro Tour Title

Pietreczko Wins Euro Tour Title

Alex Moss |

A Week In Darts – October 17, 2023 – Pietreczko Wins First PDC Title On The European Tour

It has been another dramatic week in the darting world! A new champion was crowned on the PDC European Tour, whilst more international qualifiers have been confirmed for the PDC World Championship at the end of the year. Here’s our recap of the last seven days in the world of darts… 

PERFECT PIETRECZKO WINS ON THE EURO TOUR

Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko capped off a memorable weekend with an impressive display of finishing to win the German Darts Championship on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old delighted the crowd in Hildesheim as he went a perfect 8/8 on the doubles to beat Peter Wright 8-4 in the final to win his first PDC ranking title.

Pietreczko became only the second German player to win a European Tour title, following in the footsteps of Max Hopp’s triumph back in 2018, and his victory also secured him a debut in the Grand Slam of Darts next month.

“I have no words for this!” Pietreczko said. “I’ve often dreamed of standing on that stage winning a title but to see it actually coming true is unbelievable.

“I didn’t realise that I didn’t miss a dart at a double (in the final), I was just so happy in the moment to have hit them.

“I know I can beat the best in the world and I try my very best to beat the best in the world. I’m over the moon, very happy to be in the Grand Slam.”

Pietreczko’s run to the title included wins over Mickey Mansell and fellow German Martin Schindler, the latter featuring a 107 average, as he booked his spot in the final day of action on Sunday.

Victories against George Killington and Stephen Bunting set up a semi-final clash with Michael van Gerwen, where the home favourite found the performance of his career, averaging over 99, going 7/9 on the doubles, and holding his nerve with a brilliant 10-dart leg in the decider. 

TRIO SEAL ALLY PALLY RETURNS IN DECEMBER

Fallon Sherrock, Mikuru Suzuki and Norman Madhoo all booked their returns to Alexandra Palace at the weekend as international qualifiers for the upcoming PDC World Championship in December.

Sherrock famously made history in the 2020 edition of the tournament, defeating Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic to become the first woman to win a match in the PDC’s flagship event.

‘The Queen of the Palace’ will make her fourth appearance in the biggest tournament in darts after finishing runner-up on the PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit.

Sherrock won three of the final four events on this year’s Women’s Series, held in Wigan over the weekend, to clinch second spot ahead of Suzuki. It also secured her a place in next month’s Grand Slam of Darts.  

Japan’s Suzuki finished up in third place on the Order of Merit to also earn an Ally Pally return, with her sole previous appearance back in 2020.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Madhoo sealed his spot in the 96-player field after topping the CDLC Order of Merit, as the inaugural Championship Darts Latin America and Caribbean Tour concluded at the weekend.

The 59-year-old will be making his first World Championship appearance in 13 years, having featured in the 2004, 2010 and 2011 staging’s of the competition.

AROUND THE BOARD

The field and draw have been confirmed for the PDC European Championship – the next major event on the calendar which takes place in Germany next week.

Ricardo Pietreczko’s surprise title win in the German Darts Championship on Sunday brought an end to this year’s European Tour, with the top 32 players on the European Tour Order of Merit making up the line up in Dortmund.

Ross Smith is the reigning European champion, having beaten Michael Smith in last year’s final, and he will begin the defence of his title against new German star Pietreczko in the first round.

Check out the full draw for the European Championship in the graphic below.

On Monday, the world of darts was saddened to learn that Dutch player Toon Greebe had passed away at the age of 35.

Greebe enjoyed two spells on the PDC ProTour and was a popular figure on the circuit before his career was sadly curtailed by ill health.

He qualified for the PDC World Championship twice in 2008 and 2010, before choosing to step away from the professional game in 2014. Greebe remarkably returned to the winner’s circle at the WDF ranked Polish Open in 2019.

Toon Greebe Darts

Pictures: PDC

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