Ricardo Pietreczko met shooting star Gian van Veen in the second round of the Darts World Cup, who went into the match as the favorite. But in the end there was little to be seen.
After a confident opening win against Xiao Chen Zong, Ricardo Pietreczko also prevailed in the second round of the Darts World Cup. The German defeated the Dutchman Gian van Veen 3-1, knocking out the 28th in the world. “Pikachu”, as Pietreczko is also called, is the first German in the 3rd round and will still be at Alexandra Palace after Christmas.
His opponent will be either Rob Cross or Scott Williams. Cross would undoubtedly be the bigger name, after all, he became world champion in 2018.
Ricardo Pietreczko 3:1 (3:0, 1:3, 3:0, 3:1) Gian van Veen
4th set, 4th leg – The pressure on the Dutchman is immense and Pietreczko has the throw-off. But van Veen is better at scoring and in transition. But he leaves the double behind! And Pietreczko seizes the opportunity. This is victory. He is the first German in the 3rd round! 3:1
4th set, 3rd leg – Pietreczko starts with a 140, increases the pressure on his opponent and wants to get the break. He faces 64 remaining for the break, gets two darts on double 8 – and hits the first! There’s the break. Only one leg is missing from victory. 2:1
4th set, 2nd leg – This is turning into a real crime thriller. Pietreczko faces “Tops”, the double 20th. And he succeeds. The double rate is good. 1:1
4th set, 1st leg – Van Veen does well in scoring, “Pikachu” doesn’t. The first leg is clear. 0:1
3rd set, 3rd leg – Van Veen keeps arguing and doesn’t seem satisfied. Pietreczko, on the other hand, sticks to himself, does it well and always has a triple with him. He comes into the finish area with 56 remaining, gets two chances at double 20 and takes advantage of the first. That’s the sentence! 3-0
3rd set, 2nd leg – Break chance for “Pikachu” with 74 remaining – and he takes advantage! Very strong from the German, who dominates his throw set again. 2:0
3rd set, 1st leg – Pietreczko comes straight in with 140, van Veen only responds with a 60. The German puts in a good lead while his opponent stumbles. And what a checkout! Pietreczko cancels the 122, great start. 1:0
2nd set, 4th leg – Pietreczko has the throw-off and hits multiple triples. But van Veen gets going as the leg progresses. He narrowly missed a 117 finish – and van Veen took advantage of it. This is the break and the equalizer! 1:3
2nd set, 3rd leg – Van Veen only has a triple in the first six darts. But Pietreczko can’t take advantage of the offer either. The Dutchman plays it down. If Pietreczko now allows the break, it will be a draw after sets. 1:2
2nd set, 2nd leg – Now the German has the throw, but doesn’t really get going in terms of scoring. The good thing: van Veen isn’t making any real quick progress either. He sets himself a finish on double 16 – and uses it. 1:1
2nd set, 1st leg – Pietreczko stays with himself and continues to score well. But van Veen is there this time and achieves a high finish on 127. Strong from the Dutchman! 0:1
1st set, 3rd leg – The German’s scoring looks really good now, van Veen can hardly keep up. Pietreczko is in the scoring range much earlier. There is a finish on double 8. He misses this, but the double 4 falls. The set goes to “Pikachu.” 3-0
1st set, 2nd leg – After this wild start, the second leg goes really well for the German! Van Veen misses another double, “Pikachu” uses it for the break. Very strong of him. 2:0