Ricardo Pietreczko is the last of six Germans to take part in the Darts World Cup. He describes his objective as: “maybe cocky”a great strength speaks for him.
The Darts World Cup has never been as German as this year’s edition, when six Germans took part. However, a lot of mass didn’t necessarily mean a lot of class, because not only have the underdogs failed, but also two very ambitious darts players, Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler. At least one German made it to the third round, and he wants much more than just being in the top 32: Ricardo Pietreczko.
Pietreczko: Came to win
In the first round, “Pikachu” easily defeated China’s Xiaochen Zong 3-0 without losing a set, then there was a 3-1 win against Gian van Veen from the Netherlands. He was able to increase his three-dart average from 88.68 to 91.64, but in order to be able to successfully play his third match on Saturday (December 27th, 2024) against Scott Williams, Pietreczko has to go one step further.
The 30-year-old did this verbally before the duel with last year’s semi-finalist and current conqueror of former world champion Rob Cross. “I go to tournaments to win them. That might sound cocky, but that’s how it is.”said Pietreczko on “DAZN” and added on Sport1: “I’m a tournament person and if you want to be world champion you have to beat everyone.”
Double fields are Pietreczko’s specialty
The last German in the competition now has to back up these bold statements with his arrows. And if Pietreczko shows such strong nerves against Williams as he did in his previous two matches, a surprise is certainly possible. At 56.25 percent and 55.56 percent, “Pikachu” had outstanding odds on the double fields with which you have to end a leg. The supreme discipline, which many often fail at, has been his great strength so far.
“I feel really, really great right now.”said Pietreczko on “DAZN”. He “I think it’s good that the German fans now have a little something to watch”. Now is the time when the audience is really being offered something.
Possible quarterfinal against Luke Littler
32 darts players are still in the competition, on Friday Luke Humphries (against Nick Kenny) wants to take the next step towards defending his title; on Saturday, after Pietreczko, it will be the turn of Michael van Gerwen (against Brendan Dolan) and Luke Littler (against Ian White). . There could be a duel between Pietreczko and Littler in the quarterfinals.
That alone would be a huge success for “Pikachu”, because more than a World Cup match against Littler is currently not possible. The 17-year-old is the big name in darts, he gets the golden finish to a day’s session in every round, i.e. the best possible stage with the highest ratings. Pietreczko is two wins shy of the chance to be there – but even Littler should at best only be a stopover for him on the way to the title.