Ricardo Pietreczko missed a sensation at the European Darts Championship in Dortmund. The German whiz kid lost 7:10 in the legs in the round of 16 against three-time world champion and big favorite Michael van Gerwen on Saturday evening.
Pietreczko started the game well in the Westfalenhalle and went into the first break with a lead of 3:2. However, Van Gerwen was able to improve afterwards and turned the duel in the second session into a 6:4 from his point of view.
As a result, the Dutchman left no stone unturned and ultimately defeated challenger Pietreczko confidently. “MvG” converted his first match dart. For Pietreczko, participation in the round of 16 at the European Darts Championship is still a success.
The other two German participants Gabriel Clemens (5:6 against Peter Wright) and Martin Schindler (1:6 against Stephen Bunting) had already been eliminated in their opening match in Dortmund.
In addition to van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Luke Humphries, James Wade, Gerwyn Price, Danny Noppert, Chris Dobey and Peter Wright are in the top eight.
Darts: Ricardo Pietreczko causes a sensation
Pietreczko had caused quite a stir on the darts tour in recent weeks. The Franconian recently triumphed completely unexpectedly on the European Tour in Hildesheim and thus made history.
The man from Nuremberg became the second German after Max Hopp to win a PDC European Tour event.
On the Pro Tour, Pietreczko also shone with a quarter-final and a semi-final appearance. The German hopeful has already secured his ticket for the Darts World Championship in the legendary Alexandra Palace in London (December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024).
Successes that Pietreczko can build on in the coming months.