Ricardo Pietreczko meets Scott Williams in the third round of the World Darts Championship today. Can “Pikachu” take the next step towards the title? Follow the match live in the ticker.
30-year-old Ricardo Pietreczko, nicknamed “Pikachu”, is the last remaining German at the 2025 Darts World Cup in London’s Alexandra Palace. After victories against Xiaochen Zong (3:0) and Gian van Veen (3:1), today he meets the Englishman Scott Williams, who surprisingly defeated former world champion Rob Cross 3:1 in the second round. The duel promises to be very exciting as both players are in top form. Pietreczko wants to surpass his previous best performance at a World Cup and reach the round of 16.
2nd set, 2nd leg – Pietreczko with his second 180 of the afternoon. So he’s back. But Williams also managed to get the highest score once again. But that’s no use. Pietreczko checks the 81 remaining points via the triple 19 and the double 12. Very important.
2nd set, 1st leg – We continue with the “Ally Pally”. This time Williams starts the set and doesn’t come in particularly well, but “Pikachu” also has problems scoring high at the start of the second set. Williams therefore checks out his 40 remaining points via the double 20 relatively unchallenged and goes into the front.
1st set, 5th leg – Decisive leg in set one and Pietreczko also manages his first 180. He gets into the finish area and just has to hit the bullseye, but misses. Williams comes dangerously close again. The pressure is enormous. But Pietreczko holds his ground, and how! 25 points remain, he hits the 9, then needs the double 8. But he hits the regular 8 and now has to aim for the double 4. The arrow lands where it is supposed to. Set one goes to the German. Great start to this match.
1st set, 4th leg – Williams wants to secure the first set and has a throw-off. Pietreczko puts his opponent under pressure, throws strong triple darts and gets the chance to break with 57 points remaining. And there is the equalizer: “Pikachu” hits the first arrow on 17, then misses one on double 20. But the next arrow is in place. Rebreak!
1st set, 3rd leg – Williams throws the first 180 of the game. The Ally Pally shakes. Because the Englishman immediately does the second 180. Pietreczko can’t keep up with that. In the end the break for Williams, who checks out over double eight.
1st set, 2nd leg – Will Pietreczko get a break right away? No, Williams plays his first throw down leg and ends up checking over double 10. But that was a close number, “Pikachu” almost managed to break because Williams initially missed two arrows. Bitter for the German, who narrowly failed to reach double 20.
1st set, 1st leg – here we go. “Pikachu” starts up and hits a 95 into the window. Williams follows suit with 100 points. The opponents move in lockstep, then Williams manages a 171, which is strong. Nevertheless: Pietreczko comes into the finish area first and checks 71 remaining points with a triple-13 and a double-16.
3:13 p.m. – And now it’s Pietreczko’s turn. There are boos from the English fans while the theme song from the anime series “Pokémon” echoes through the arena. It’s a reference to Pietreczko’s nickname “Pikachu.”
3:11 p.m. – “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” by the band My Chemical Romance plays at Alexandra Palace. This is the entrance music by Scott Williams. The 34-year-old takes the stage to the cheers of the crowd.
3:07 p.m. – So who is the favorite today? That’s hard to say. In the Order of Merit, the world rankings, Pietreczko is ranked 34th, Williams is three places behind. But the Englishman is a man for the big moments and tournaments, and even ended up in the semi-finals of the World Cup last year. Pietreczko has a tough task waiting for him today.
3:03 p.m. – The previous game between Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle is over. The outsider Joyce won 4:3 in an exciting duel. It’s the World Cup of surprises. Some big names have already been eliminated, including Scottish double world champion Gary Anderson and Dutch darts legend Raymond van Barneveld.