Sport Darts World Championship
“Mental number” – Hempel ensures successful German start to the World Cup
Status: 00:38 a.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
Left hook: Florian Hempel fought his way into the match after a weak start
Source: dpa/Zac Goodwin
It was a big fight, and in the end Florian Hempel left the stage as the winner. The Cologne native ensured a successful German start to the Darts World Cup. In order to keep his tour card, he now needs a surprise like two years ago.
On the third day of the Darts World Cup, the first of five German players started the tournament. After the German fans had already made their presence felt loudly in Alexandra Palace on the previous days, Florian Hempel took the big stage in London and ensured a successful start.
Hempel defeated the 21-year-old Irishman Dylan Slevin 3-1 and was then relieved. For him, who only secured his ticket at the Tourcard Holder Qualifier on the day of the World Cup draw, a defeat would have meant losing his right to play on the professional tour next year. “An extremely important victory for self-confidence. And of course also important for the tour card,” confirmed Hempel, who, at least temporarily, moved to 64th place in the Order of Merit by reaching the second round. Only the top 64 will receive a tour card after the World Cup.
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However, the start of the match was unsuccessful. He missed eight chances in the third leg on the doubles courts and conceded the break that ultimately cost him the first set. “I was very disappointed after the first set, and now I’m incredibly happy. I think I fought my way in today. Nothing came together in the first set. “That was a mental number,” said Hempel in an interview with DAZN.
Not a good start: Florian Hempel was unable to take advantage of the throw-off in the first set
Source: dpa/Zac Goodwin
Hempel’s double 9 as a pioneer
But the young Irishman continued after the first break and made it 1-0 with a 167 checkout, the highest so far at this World Cup. However, Hempel was not impressed and countered with a 107 to make it 1-1. The two then made their attacks and ended in the decider. Slevin was the first player to land on doubles, but now missed four opportunities and was punished by Hempel on double 16.
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The Cologne native also demonstrated fighting qualities in the third set and worked his way to success. The former handball goalkeeper immediately conceded the break to make it 0-1, shortly afterwards also the 0-2 and then won three legs in a row to take the set lead 2-1. Slevin missed a dart on the bullseye in the decider, while Hempel checked 85 points over the double 9. Possibly the decisive moment in this match. “The trailblazer,” said Hempel, who used the momentum and managed the next break right at the start of round four. In the third leg he clearly missed his match dart on double 20. Slevin shortened the score again to 1:2, but then had to let the German go: Hempel converted his third match dart on double 18.
Chance missed: Dylan Slevin lost on his World Cup debut in London
Quelle: Getty Images/Tom Dulat
The 33-year-old will now face Dimitri van den Bergh, as he did in his World Cup debut two years ago. In December 2021 he was surprisingly able to defeat the Belgian top player. “I think I’m more interested in Dimi than Dimi is in me, if you just look at the history. But darts is a snapshot. What happened here on this stage two years ago doesn’t mean that much.”
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But it will probably take the surprise again and the associated £10,000 in prize money to actually be able to extend the tour card for another year. Connor Scutt, Mario Vandebogaerde and Steve Lennon would overtake Hempel again in the rankings based on prize money with a win at the World Championships.
Darts World Cup, results on December 17th
1 round:
Ricky Evans (ENG) – Simon Adams (RSA) 3:0 (3:2; 3:0; 3:0)
Jim Williams (WAL) – Norman Madhoo (GUY) 3:0 (3:0; 3:0; 3:0)
Matt Campbell (CAN) defeated Laurence Ilagan (PHI) 3:2.
Dylan Slevin (IRL) – Florian Hempel (D) 1:3 (3:1; 2:3; 2:3; 1:3)
Niels Zonneveld (NED) – Darren Webster (ENG) 3:1 (3:0; 3:2; 2:3; 3:2)
Jermaine Wattimena (NED) – Fallon Sherrock (ENG) 3:1 (2:3; 3:1; 3:0; 3:2)
2nd round:
Joe Cullen (ENG/14) – Darren Penhall (AUS) 3:0 (3:1; 3:2; 3:1)
Luke Humphries (ENG/3) – Lee Evans (ENG)
Darts World Cup, schedule for December 18th
1st round (from 8 p.m.):
Mario Vandenbogaerde (BEL) – Thibault Tricole (FRA)
Gian van Veen (NED) – Man Lok Leung (HKG)
Martin Lukeman (ENG) – Haupai Puha (NZL)
2nd round:
Gerwyn Price (WAL/5) – Connor Scutt (ENG)
