Ricardo Pietreczko became the fourth German to reach the second round of the Darts World Cup. From the third set onwards, “Pikachu” struggled with severe circulatory problems. The reason he didn’t get help was because of his language barrier.
That was convincing. Ricardo Pietreczko completed his mandatory task at the Darts World Championship with flying colors. He defeated the Portuguese Jose de Sousa 3-1. In the end, the average was 90.86 points and he hit the double fields at 44 percent. So much for the decent numbers. What was really impressive was the 31-year-old’s timing.+
The Hanoverian by choice got a classic false start, couldn’t find any height and therefore hardly any triples. It took nine arrows to reach the first 60, with the first two legs going to Portugal. But the German proved early in this match why many experts believe he has the best chance of representing Germany in this tournament for as long as possible. “Pikachu” was not impressed by the situation and took the first set 3:2.
He had already come the furthest at the 2025 World Cup thanks to timing and a feel for the important moments. His record in the Ally Pally is now 6:2 after the eighth match on the big stage.
The match against the Portuguese was at a decent level, but was a little slow at the 90 average mark. Pietrezcko did the right things at the right time and seemed to do the right thing. The second round also went 3:2 to number 33 in the Order of Merit, who had already been behind with a break to 1:2, but put the pedal to the metal with an 11-darter in the decider.
When de Sousa also made the decider perfect in the third set, the result seemed predetermined, especially since the German had the advantage of the throw. But this time it was “The Special One” who increased the pace, after ten darts the score was 24 points and the score was reduced to 1:2 after sets.
“In the middle of the third set I had severe circulatory problems,” Pietreczko later reported: “My vision went black. I don’t know what was wrong with me. But it was very hot on stage. I just thought: Don’t fold now.”
It’s incomprehensible that he didn’t get help. But “Pikachu” later solved this mystery: “Based on the regulations, it would certainly be possible to take a short break. But I couldn’t think of the word for circulatory problems. So it was due to a language barrier.”
However, he did not cause any doubts among his German opponents. The 31-year-old completed his program, made the necessary break to make it 2-1 and checked the double 20 in 17 darts to win. “He always does the right thing in crucial situations,” said commentator Dan Dawson on British TV. Colleague Wayne Mardle agreed: “This timing is brilliant.”
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While the 51-year-old de Sousa is now losing his tour card after seven years and his eighth World Cup participation may have been his last, a lot seems possible for Pietreczko after the third round in 2024 and the round of 16 in 2025. With his quarter-final participation at the European Darts Championship in Dortmund and a place in the round of 16 at the Players Championship Finals, he had gained the necessary self-confidence before the World Cup.
In his sixteenth of the tournament tree, the highest seeded player, Ross Smith, has already been eliminated, and either the struggling Dave Chisnall or Fallon Sherrock awaits in the second round. “I’m going to eat a chocolate bar now. Hopefully I’ll come back strengthened on the 20th and have glucose with me.”
With Pietreczko, Gabriel Clemens, Max Hopp and Arno Merk, four of the five Germans who have started so far are in the second round. Lukas Wenig lost his opening match against Wesley Plaisier. Niko Springer is scheduled for the last match on Tuesday evening, and German number one Martin Schindler is required on Wednesday evening. Dominik Grüllich will be the last German to play against Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena on Thursday.
If Lutz Wöckener Not exactly trying out any sport on his own, he writes about darts and sports politics, but sometimes also about offbeat things like football.
Darts World Cup 2026, results, 1st round
- Alan Soutar (SCO) – Teemu Harju (FIN) 3:2 nV (3:0, 3:0, 2:3, 2:3, 5:4)
- Nick Kenny (WAL) – Justin Hood (ENG) 0:3 (0:3, 2:3, 2:3)
- Scott Williams (ENG) – Paolo Nebrida (PHI) 3:0 (3:1, 3:0, 3:1)
- Chris Dobey (ENG/8) – Xiaochen Zong (CHN) 3:1 (3:0, 1:3, 3:1, 3:1)
- Ricardo Pietreczko (D) – Jose De Sousa (POR) 3:1 (3:2, 3:2, 2:3, 3:1)
- Danny Noppert (NED/6) – Jurjen van der Velde (NED) 3:1 (3:2, 1:3, 3:2, 3:0)
- Gerwyn Price (Wall/9) – Adam Gaulas (CZE)
- Niko Springer (D) – Joe Comito (AUS)
