Players Championship Finals: Darts professionals freeze at World Cup dress rehearsal – “It’s really cold up there”

Raymond van Barneveld expressed what everyone had long since seen. “It’s really cold up there,” said the old master from the Netherlands, surprised after his 6-1 in the first round of the Players Championship Finals against compatriot Maik Kuivenhoven.

At the last major tournament before the Darts World Cup in Minehead, which began in London on December 15, the players who had opened the tournament that afternoon had already revealed their problems with the unusual cold.

Without exception, hands were warmed between the litters and the circulation was stimulated. The Dutchman Ron Meulenkamp kept throwing his hand under his arm during his defeat against Krzysztof Ratajski. “If I have cold hands, it has no effect on scoring. But you notice it on the doubles, ”said World Cup participant Florian Hempel on the microphone at DAZN.

“Barney” was also visibly uncomfortable with his performance. The players are used to difficult temperatures at the big tournaments. However, it is generally the heat from the headlights that causes problems.

Van Gerwen stayed warm in his bright green polo shirt, waved his arms between the shots, repeatedly blew his breath into his fist and ultimately had success in the 6: 3 against Kevin Doets. And Peter Wright demonstratively kept his hands in his trouser pockets as he walked onto the stage, made a shivering gesture.

A climate change that is surprising. Butlin’s Resort, a holiday and leisure resort in the south-west of England, is a venue with a long tradition. In addition to the end of the season, the UK Open will also be held there. The organizers may still turn up the heating during the tournament, which lasts until Sunday (daily, from 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. live on Sport1 and in the stream on DAZN *).

Schindler has a chance against this Gerwyn Price

Some of the favorites were also caught off guard in terms of sport. Joe Cullen lost 5-6 against Andy Boulton, last year’s finalist Mervyn King failed to Darius Labanauskas, Dave Chisnall was eliminated 4-6 against Ritchie Edhouse, and Kim Huybrechts even has to fear after his 3-6 against Adrian Lewis, shortly before the World Cup to fly off the seed list.

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In addition, Dirk van Duijvenbode was eliminated in a high-class match 5: 6 against Ryan Meikle, who played a 109 average. Hardly worse played Chris Dobey, who managed a 103 against William O’Connor and threw ten 180s, but in the end lost 5: 6 against the Irishman.

The comeback of the day was made by Gary Anderson, who started disastrously against Stephen Bunting, 0: 4, but in the end just managed to save himself in the decider and won. He now has to deal with Meikle.

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The greatest possible task is waiting for Martin Schindler. “The Wall” faces Gerwyn Price in the second round of the Players Championship Finals. The Welshman beat Jason Lowe 6-3 in his opening match. Like Gabriel Clemens, Schindler had qualified for the second round in the afternoon.

Price, the reigning world champion and number one in the rankings, had just triumphed at the Grand Slam a week ago. However, Schindler was the only player who was able to defeat the “Iceman” at least in the group stage.

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And the start in Minehead was by no means smooth for Price. Against Jason Lowe he faced a breakdart to 1: 4. The Englishman did not hit the double 18 and shortly afterwards missed three chances on the double 4 to make it 4: 2. Instead of 5: 1 for the outsider, it was 3: 3. Only then did Price start to make it 6: 3.

Gabriel Clemens, the second German participant, has the chance to take revenge and take another step towards the top 20 with a win against Damon Heta. The Australian had kicked him out of the tournament at the European Championship. With the move into the last sixteen he would improve by at least one place in the Order of Merit, would be 23rd, maybe even 22nd.

The first round at a glance

Jose de Sousa – Devon Petersen 6: 4

Mervyn King – Darius Labanauskas 4: 6

Chris Dobey – William O‘Connor 5:6

Krzysztof Ratajski – Ron Meulenkamp 6:1

Gerwyn Price – Jason Lowe 6: 3

Martin Schindler – Ian White 6:3

Brendan Dolan – Chas Barstow 6:2

Dave Chisnall – Ritchie Edhouse 4:6

Michael Smith – William Borland 6:3

Daryl Gurney – Alan Soutar 6:3

Callan Rydz – Mensur Suljovic 6:1

James Wade – Ricky Evans 6:1

Ryan Searle – Simon Whitlock 6:5

Ryan Joyce – Luke Woodhouse 6:4

Rob Cross – Jermaine Wattimena 6:2

Nathan Aspinall – Jeff Smith 6:2

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Peter Wright – Keane Barry 6:4

Adrian Lewis – Kim Huybrechts 6:3

Damon Heta – Steve Lennon 6:2

Gabriel Clemens – Steve Beaton 6:5

Michael van Gerwen – Kevin Doets 6:3

Raymond van Barneveld – Maik Kuivenhoven 6:1

Dirk van Duijvenbode – Ryan Meikle 5:6

Stephen Bunting – Gary Anderson 5:6

Jonny Clayton – Alan Tabern 6:4

Scott Mitchell – Martijn Kleermaker 6:5

Ross Smith – Rusty-Jake Rodriguez 6:2

Luke Humphries – Jason Heaver 6:4

Joe Cullen – Andy Boulton 5:6

Vincent van der Voort – Jelle Klaasen 6:4

Dimitri Van den Bergh – Madars Razma

Danny Noppert – Rowby-John Rodriguez 6: 2

The 2nd round

Jose de Sousa – Darius Labanauskas

William O’Connor – Krzysztof Ratajski

Gerwyn Price – Martin Schindler

Brendan Dolan – Ritchie Edhouse

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Michael Smith – Daryl Gurney

Callan Rydz – James Wade

Ryan Searle – Ryan Joyce

Rob Cross – Nathan Aspinall

Peter Wright – Adrian Lewis

Damon Heta – Gabriel Clemens

Michael van Gerwen – Raymond van Barneveld

Ryan Meikle – Gary Anderson

Jonny Clayton – Scott Mitchell

Ross Smith – Luke Humphries

Andy Boulton – Vincent van der Voort

Dimitri Van den Bergh – Danny Noppert

The last sixteen

Jose de Sousa / Darius Labanauskas – William O’Connor / Krzysztof Ratajski

Gerwyn Price/Martin Schindler – Brendan Dolan/Ritchie Edhouse

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Michael Smith/Daryl Gurney – Callan Rydz/James Wade

Ryan Searle/Ryan Joyce – Rob Cross/Nathan Aspinall

Peter Wright/Adrian Lewis – Damon Heta/Gabriel Clemens

Michael van Gerwen/Raymond van Barneveld – Ryan Meikle/Gary Anderson

Jonny Clayton/Scott Mitchell – Ross Smith/Luke Humphries

Andy Boulton / Vincent van der Voort – Dimitri Van den Bergh / Danny Noppert

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