Gabriel Clemens missed a historic opportunity at the European Darts Championship

EIt is not often that Gabriel Clemens shows emotions on stage and turns his inner life outward. In this respect, the facial expressions and gestures with which the German darts professional left the stage at the European Championship in Salzburg could confidently be rated as an outburst.

Clemens was angry, especially at himself, as Chris Mason suspected. “The Germans can’t find the next step,” said the TV expert afterwards on British television and named: “Max Hopp, Schindler and also Clemens, when you see the averages he shows on the Pro Tour.”

Nothing came of the hoped-for next step for the German number one. With two successes, he would have been the first German in the top 20 in the world rankings. One day after Florian Hempel’s sensational victory over defending champion Peter Wright, the tournament was over for Clemens after the first appearance. After a disappointing performance, he lost 3: 6 to Damon Heta.

Even the first leg provided the right symbolism for what was to follow. Clemens started with six perfect darts, but then failed in eight attempts in a row on the doubles and gave up the leg. Great opportunities, great potential, but in the end not the result hoped for.

Clemens with 19 points in the eighth leg

After the 1: 1 and a further attack by Hetas, the Saarwellinger conceded the break to 1: 3, then broke back when he checked 126 points over the bullseye, and after the break came 14 darts to equalize: 3: 3 .

It was the moment when the “German Giant” seemed to be able to turn the match around again, got the chance to checkout a 161, but this time missed the bullseye. The result was the 4: 3 for the Australian, who used his legdart on the double-16 and also used Clemens’ problems, which were not only documented in a recording of 19 points, in the following round to the decisive 5: 3.

“I don’t really know either. He missed the doubles and I took advantage of it. I’m glad I took my chances, ”said Heta, who gave 38-year-old Clemens another chance to re-break on the double-7, but Clemens also missed this and then conceded the 3: 6 he deserved.

Heta will meet Nathan Aspinall in the round of 16 on Saturday evening, who narrowly prevailed against Mervyn King. Already in the afternoon session (from 1.45 p.m. live on DAZN *) the only remaining German is challenged.

Florian Hempel will not only face the Austrian Mensur Suljovic in his duel, but will also have to stand up to the audience in Salzburg. The Cologne player will play the last match of the first session.

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Max Hopp vor World Cup of Darts

Previously, Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen were promoted. If both win their matches, the eagerly awaited duel between the world champion Gerwyn Price and the long-standing Dominator will take place on Sunday. Both superstars easily won their opening matches 6: 2 and both played an average of more than 100 points.

The first round at a glance

Simon Whitlock – William Borland 3:6

Brendan Dolan – Kim Huybrechts 6:2

Rob Cross – Keane Berry 6:3

Luke Humphries – Callan Rydz 6:5

Jose De Sousa – Lewy Williams 6:4

Peter Wright – Florian Hempel 3:6

Mensur Suljovic – Adam Hunt 6:2

Joe Cullen – Ted Evetts 6:0

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Adam Gawlas – Joe Murnan 6: 4

Krzysztof Ratajski – Danny Noppert 2: 6

James Wade – Adam Smith-Neale 6:5

Nathan Aspinall – Mervyn King 6:4

Michael Smith – Ryan Searle 5:6

Michael van Gerwen – Boris Krcmar 6:2

Gerwyn Price – Ritchie Edhouse 6: 2

Damon Heta – Gabriel Clemens 6:3

The last sixteen

Nathan Aspinall – Damon Heta

Gerwyn Price – Adam Gawlas

Michael van Gerwen – James Wade

Mensur Suljovic – Florian Hempel

Joe Cullen – William Borland

Brendan Dolan – Rob Cross

Jose de Sousa – Luke Humphries

Ryan Searle – Danny Noppert

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