Gabriel Clemens is sensationally in the semi-finals of the darts world championship. After defeating world number one Gerwyn Price from Wales, Englishman Michael Smith is now waiting.
Gabriel Clemens threw his two remaining darts on the ground, spread his arms and looked in disbelief at the raging crowd in Alexandra Palace – and the world number one, who had been dismantled by the “German Giant”, applauded fairly in the background despite all the frustration.
With his sensational entry into the semifinals against the Welshman Gerwyn Price, Clemens added another chapter to the German darts fairy tale at the World Cup in London.
“It’s fantastic. Thank you Germany!” said the 39-year-old after the outstanding 5-1 victory to the cheers of the numerous fans from home: “I have no words for it. Winning against the number one in the world is unbelievable. Happy New Year!”
In fact, the new year could hardly have started happier for the Saarlander. Clemens had already made darts history by becoming the first German professional to reach the quarterfinals – so the journey continues: On Monday in the semifinals, Vice World Champion Michael Smith from England is waiting.
“Now I want to tease Smith too”
Clemens showed an absolute top performance on New Year’s Eve. The surprisingly weak Price was so unnerved that he even played with headphones in the fifth set. After the defeat, he wrote on Instagram how devastated he was, adding that he was “not sure if I’ll play in this tournament again”.
“I kept him under pressure the whole time and kept him pretty busy,” said Clemens on “Sport1”. The next coup should succeed on Monday: “Now I want to annoy Smith too. That’s the goal,” says Clemens confidently, “I’ll fall asleep with a smile tonight.”
To the usual sounds of Oasis, Clemens entered the stage at Alexandra Palace around 8:50 p.m. The numerous German supporters ensured an appropriate reception, the rest of the fan base cheered on the television screens at home.
Price amazes with headphones
At the beginning things didn’t really go well for Clemens – Price easily secured the first set. But the “German Giant” fought his way into the match: His first 180 woke up “Ally Pally”, the first break a little later made him boil – the second set, as well as the third set a little later, started 3-1 in the legs the Germans.
At the latest after Clemens had won the fourth set against the ailing ex-world champion, the sensation seemed within reach. Price reacted in the most curious way: The Welshman, whistled at by the audience, came back from the break with huge headphones and kept them over his ears for the entire fifth set. Clemens was undeterred and made it 4:1.
“I know that he sometimes wears them when warming up. I was very surprised that he wears them then,” said Clemens after the game, wondering about Price’s unusual and unsuccessful move. The Welshman was finally broken, Clemens brought the victory home without any wobbling.
So “Bully Boy” Smith is now waiting in the semi-finals. The vice world champion from 2019 and 2022 prevailed 5: 3 against compatriot Stephen Bunting in his quarter-final duel on Sunday afternoon. Smith led clearly for a long time and finally used his second match dart to make it 3-1 in the eighth set.