World Cup with Clemens: The biggest darts match ever by a German

NAnother three days and seven games, then the new darts world champion will be determined in London. Will it be a favorite like Dutchman Michael van Gerwen or Primus Gerwyn Price from Wales? Or an outsider like the German starter Gabriel Clemens? The quarter-final day on New Year’s Day with two sessions (1.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. at Sport1 and DAZN) will provide further information. Then it’s non-stop towards the end, on January 2nd the semi-finals will take place, on January 3rd (9 p.m.) the final.

At prime time, the “German Giant” fights against the world number one Price. It is the biggest darts match by a German so far. “I feel great, I’m in great shape. Then I’ll unpack my best game,” promised Clemens. For him, the journey with three victories so far is already “a nice experience”. If he now defeats the muscular former rugby pro Price, it would be a sensation.

What makes Clemens so strong?

Two years after his disastrous 0:5 against Dave Chisnall, top favorite van Gerwen wants to avert another big flop in the last eight. Anything but a win against the Englishman Chris Dobey (10:00 p.m.) would be a disappointment. “I’m just through the quarterfinals and the last time I was in the quarterfinals I was knocked out 5-0 by Dave Chisnall. I don’t want to be in a situation like that again,” said van Gerwen.

In Rob Cross only one of the last nine world champions came from England. “Voltage” is already out, but this year last year’s finalist Michael Smith could satisfy the hosts’ yearning for the Sid Waddell Trophy. On Sunday (3.15 p.m.) he will face his compatriot Stephen Bunting. Before that, Belgian Dimitri van den Bergh and Jonny Clayton from Wales will open the afternoon session.

The German Clemens is more confident from World Cup game to World Cup game. Before the eagerly awaited quarter-finals against Primus Price on New Year’s Day, the 39-year-old said: “I hope it’s not the first and last time.” He is aware of the outsider role against the Welshman Price, but he still sees the match on German TV -Primetime as a 50/50 duel. What has made the German number one so strong in London over the past two weeks?

Performance level: Compared to the last World Cup, when Clemens twice played under 90 points on average, the trained machinist has improved significantly. His so-called averages in this tournament: First 95.64 points, then 97.55 and in the round of 16 93.96. Those are decent values. Clemens seems stable and hardly affords any longer phases of weakness. Two of his three victories were very sovereign.

strong nerves: And the third was as tight and gripping as possible. The 4:3 against the strong Welshman Jim Williams provided proof of the good nerves Clemens has at the current World Cup. Williams even missed a match dart – and then didn’t get too many chances because Clemens turned up the heat in the hot phase. “It works well with the deciders at the World Cup, I’ve won a lot of sets with 3:2 legs,” said the German, describing his new strength.

German audience: When Clemens walks to the Alexandra Palace to hear Oasis’ “Wonderwall”, the fans are usually clearly on his side. Especially after Christmas, numerous German supporters were present in London. With songs like “Oh, how is that nice” and “Without Germany there would be nothing going on here” they played “Ally Pally” – and fueled the sporting success of “Gaga”.

luck of the draw: Unlike quarterfinalists Stephen Bunting (victories over Dave Chisnall and Luke Humphries) and Chris Dobey (victories over former world champions Gary Anderson and Rob Cross), Clemens had a favorable draw. Former European champion James Wade was kicked out before the direct duel, as was the strong Dutchman Danny Noppert. Ireland’s William O’Connor, Welshman Williams and Scotland’s Alan Soutar, while established pros on the tour, are not among the top 32 in the rankings. Reaching the Quarterfinals without beating a seed is fortunate.