Triumph im “Ally Pally”
World Cup sensation from Saarland: Gabriel Clemens fires German darts dreams
Gabriel Clemens at the Darts World Cup in London during his match against the Scots Peter Wright
© Luke Walker/Getty Images
Gabriel Clemens experienced an “unbelievable night” in London. The victory over darts world champion Peter Wright is the greatest success of his career. A few years ago one could not have guessed where the path of the industrial mechanic would lead.
Hero in the small Saarland, bearer of hope in the big darts world. Gabriel Clemens not only immortalized himself in German darts history with his giant coup against world champion Peter Wright, but also fueled dreams of a premiere triumph in London’s Alexandra Palace. “Peter is a world champion and a great guy. I’m so happy to have beaten him. It’s an incredible night for me,” said the 37-year-old after the highly dramatic 4: 3 about the defending champion, who is now going home as a complete surprise got to.
The first German round of 16 in the history of the World Cup paid tribute not only to the euphoric darts scene, but also to domestic politics. “A great and historic victory in the legendary Ally Pally. The whole of Saarland continues to keep its fingers crossed,” tweeted the Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) on Monday night. The defeated Scot Wright also congratulated, but a little more soberly: “He didn’t let up and when he did, I couldn’t use it. Congratulations to him.”
Gabriel Clemens: Top ratings expected
When Clemens has to deal with Krzysztof Ratajski from Poland in the round of 16 on Tuesday evening (from 7 p.m. / Sport1 and DAZN), the broadcasting stations can expect top ratings for darts. An additional chapter could then be added to the little arrows fairy tale of the trained industrial mechanic from the Saarland province. With a win, Clemens would be in the quarter-finals, which will be played on New Years. It would be another German premiere.
In terms of drama, however, the thriller against the colorful bird of paradise Wright can hardly be topped. Even the otherwise sober Clemens struggled with tears in “Ally Pally” on Sunday evening, was then “speechless” and then stammered at Sport1 when asked about further goals – still clearly served: “I have no idea, I’ll do it tomorrow Thoughts about it. At the moment I’m happy when I’m in bed. ” He does not want to “look too far ahead”. That’s how he always says it.
For Clemens, who runs a darts shop in his home country and has gathered a whole team of experts around him, the World Cup is just the end of the second year as a full professional on the tour. In 2019, he exchanged his work gear as a mechanic for the set of arrows and the darts shirt, which is now showing the Germany flags in London and is becoming increasingly popular for sponsors.
The great night of the “German Giant”
“The German Giant” does not regret taking the step out of his learned profession, on the contrary. “For me the years have gone very well so far, I can look back with satisfaction,” said Clemens of the dpa. The fact that Clemens has made it to the first knockout round at the third attempt and thus before the long-standing German leader Max Hopp confirms his rapid development.
The Saarland native is actually suspicious of the very big stage that was given to him in London on Sunday. Clemens values his home and the peace and quiet. If it were up to him, he would just like to throw arrows and keep the media obligations associated with his professional athlete existence as small as possible.
When he describes the drama against the motley Wright as “one of the greatest nights in my darts life”, Clemens is already a medium-sized emotional outburst. The Pole Ratajski is not an opponent of the Peter Wright category, but will still go into the round of 16 as a slight favorite against Clemens.
