Axén on Harrysson’s Success: A “Gigantic” Achievement

Andreas “Dirty Harry” Harrysson is ready for the Round of 16 in the WC.

The darts profile Alexander Axén is taken.

– It is probably impossible to understand how impressive this is, he says to Sportbladet.

Harrysson defeated the 33rd-ranked German Ricardo “Pikachu” Pietreczko 4–2 in sets.

Now the Swede is ready for the round of 16 in the darts World Cup – in what is the 50-year-old’s first world championship in his career.

– It was really impressive, says Axén when Sportbladet calls.

He continues:

– He threw so calmly. I thought it was the Andreas you want to see – who has this in him but who sometimes has a tendency to tense up a bit. But today he was as calm as could be.

“Then he’s home – extremely important”

How big is this?

– It’s huge. After all, he is one of the absolute best without a tour card, he tried to get it last year but missed by one point. Many thought it was strange considering the capacity he has, says Axén.

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If Harrysson wins the next match, he will be rewarded with a tour card. That means he gets to compete on the tour and in practice becomes a full-time pro.

– If he gets that card, he’s home, that would have been extremely important, says Axén.

What do you think of what he has accomplished so far?

– There has started to be a real darts fever in Sweden and he is behind it. He is probably at the same level as Jeffrey de Graaf was at last year, if I remember correctly, he says and continues:

– It is a debutant who does these things. It is probably impossible to understand how impressive it actually is.

Axén tips the eighth

The fifth-ranked Welshman Jonny Clayton awaits in the round of 16. Axén gives his tip before the match:

– Clayton is a machine. It is important that Harrysson is good at the exits, you must not waste them against him. At the same time, I think Clayton feels a little anxious about facing Harrysson. He understands that he is the heavy favourite, but he also sees what level Harrysson has.

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Will “Dirty Harry” win?

– The victory against “Pikachu” was perhaps 50/50 in advance. The next match is probably 30/70, in terms of merit. But if he can just relax and be as good in the arm as he was in the round of 16, he will cause problems against Clayton. But it’s a level up, says Axén.

You’re not going to go to London and check?

– I’m really hungry. We shall see, he concludes.

The round of 16 will be played on Tuesday, December 30. The match starts at 1:40 p.m.