Arno Merk called for the aura duel in view of the similar facilities. “I have gained aura compared to the Lakeside performance in 2011 (Back then, Merk played at the BDO World Cup as an 18-year-old, editor.). But the man also has aura,” he said about his opponent before the game against Michael van Gerwen on DAZN. Both Merk and superstar MvG like to work with emotions and take the stage in the Ally Pally. Merk’s comparison was definitely justified.
Five sets later the clear winner was clear. The presence of the Dutch superstar was too much for the German World Cup debutant for long stretches. Merk had to admit that to herself. “I never allowed myself to be intimidated. But I already lost the aura duel,” said Merk. His fairytale ended with a 1:4 in the third round. The defeat completed a pitch-black German darts day. The balance: three games, three defeats.
Due to Ricardo Pietreczko’s bankruptcy the evening before, all four Germans were eliminated within the first two days after the Christmas break. The only bright spot: the German average record in a World Cup game, set by Gabriel Clemens against Luke Humphries (2:4).
Merk’s World Cup so far had been like a fever dream in a positive sense. The Lower Saxony reality TV participant (Sport1 show Darts Party), who had only qualified via the German Super League qualification route, threw the first 180 of the tournament, achieved the first victory of this year’s World Cup against Kim Huybrechts and later also beat two-time world champion Peter Wright. Merk, who didn’t play darts for years at the end of the 2010s, said he wanted to dissect London’s nightlife twice.
Feel proud despite defeat
This time he at least wanted to leave the pub standing, he assured. But the achievement is still toasted. “We’ll sit together for a bit and just have a nice evening. There’s no reason to bury our heads in the sand. I’m super happy with my performance,” said Merk. Only after the celebration will he concentrate on winning a ticket for the professional tour at the Q-School at the beginning of January.
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He was proud, but had to admit that this time he couldn’t find any means to keep the strong van Gerwen in check. “The result is okay. I play exactly what I can play,” said Merk. Its average was just under a hundred points, Merk’s around ten points lower. He was only able to briefly annoy the Dutchman in the third set, when he checked 145 and then 120 points within a short space of time. The rest of the game van Gerwen was at least a class better. That’s exactly how it must have felt for the Dutchman, otherwise his interview on stage wouldn’t have gone the way it did.
On Sky Sports he was asked how much he controlled the competition with Merk. Van Gerwen replied snappy as usual. “Was it a competition? Was it a competition? Not for me,” snapped the world number three. “I didn’t play well enough to beat him. I would have had more strength if I needed it, but I didn’t use it.” Two-time world champion Gary Anderson from Scotland is now waiting for him in the round of 16. It will be a darts classic.
Darts World Cup 2026, results 3rd round
Martin Schindler (D/13) – Ryan Searle (ENG/20) 0:4
Caestion (AUS/16) – Rob Cross (ENG/17) 0:4
Gary Anderson (SCO/14) – Jermaine Wattimena (NED/19) 4:3
from 8:15 p.m.:
Gian van Veen (NED/10) – Madars Razma (LAT) 4:1
Luke Humphries (ENG/2) – Gabriel Clemens (D) 4:2
Michael van Gerwen (NED/3) – Arno Merk (D) 4:1
Luca Wiecek is sports editor for WELT. He will be reporting from Alexandra Palace in London until New Year’s Eve.
