Ein furious 66-year-olds, 1000 fans at the start and lots of surprises: the Darts World Championship in London was turbulent even before the Christmas holidays. On this Sunday (1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Sport1 and DAZN), the most important tournament of the year enters the hot phase. These are the most important people in the sequel in the corona-related empty Alexandra Palace.
Green giant: Michael van Gerwen almost got it on his way to his fourth coronation. Not sporty, but logistical. The Dutchman wanted to travel home again before new corona restrictions followed. “Mighty Mike” was quickly back in London, the green giant is still considered the absolute top favorite for the Sid Waddell Trophy. In lap three van Gerwen has to deal with the Englishman Ricky Evans.
Belgian dancer: Dimitri Van den Bergh from Belgium appears under the nickname “The Dreammaker”. Before Christmas he ended the dream of oldie Paul Lim, who at the age of 66 had hoped for a place in the third round before losing to Van den Bergh. This year, the 26-year-old won the World Matchplay, which is considered the second most important tournament in the world, and is making great strides towards a quarter-finals against the leader of the rankings van Gerwen.
World champion Christmas thief: Whether Peter Wright will defend his title as world champion is still open. The best show of the tournament can hardly be taken from him: Disguised as the green Christmas thief “Grinch”, the Scot entered the stage at the start, the almost 1000 fans briefly forgot all the Corona rules and cheered the champion. Round three will be the first tougher stage in terms of sport, however, as the bird of paradise Wright meets the last remaining German.
Saarland giant: And that’s Gabriel Clemens from Saarland – who made a name for himself on the darts tour as “The German Giant”. The 37-year-old defeated his friend Nico Kurz in the German duel and could now be the first German in World Cup history to make it to the round of 16. “For me there is nothing better. I am totally happy with the draw, ”said Clemens with full confidence. He has already replaced Max Hopp as the best German in the world rankings.
Eggplant King: First he brought an eggplant with him on stage, then he defeated former world champion Rob Cross. The Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode, who works on an eggplant farm in addition to his darts career, caused a sensation at the World Cup in London and is considered a secret favorite for the title. Before he takes on the target again against the Englishman Adam Hunt, he has an important piece of advice to all viewers on the TV sets: “Everyone should eat eggplant.”
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