display

In the end, Nico Kurz was only missing one win to qualify for the finals on the very first day.

He was the last German player to be eliminated in the quarterfinals.

It is a rocky road that the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) intends to get one of the coveted entitlements to participate in the professional darts tour.

646 players applied for one of the 29 free places this year.

The first stage was on the program on Monday.

Four groups at two venues

Divided into four groups, the participants in Milton Keynes, England and in Niedernhausen (Hesse) must first qualify for the two final rounds, each with 128 players, taking place from Saturday to Wednesday.

The first two groups are scheduled from Monday to Wednesday, groups three and four are held from Thursday to Saturday.

Here darts professional Martin Schindler imitates his colleagues

Martin Schindler is not only one of the best German darts professionals.

He is also an excellent impersonator.

Here he recreates six world-class players.

Do you recognize these players?

Source: WORLD

display

The four semi-finalists qualify every day; further starters can move up via the four-day ranking list, which leads with three points shortly after the first day.

The two-time World Cup starter is one of more than 120 Germans who are at the start in Niedernhausen.

A familiar face for a long time, but still an amateur: Hesse Nico Kurz wants to go on the PDC tour

Source: Getty Images / Luke Walker

But the main focus is on old master Raymond van Barneveld, who returned his tour card after the 2020 World Cup and is now trying to make a comeback.

The 53-year-old world champion started the tournament confidently and made it into the round of 16 with three wins, but lost there just 5: 6 against the Croat Pero Ljubic.

Nevertheless: His average of 90.94 was convincing.

The two points earned should form the basis for qualifying for the finals over the next two days.

An unknown German scored an equally remarkable average.

Olaf Thies achieved an average of 40.23 in his first round match and once again documented the special character of the open event.

The only requirement for participation is the payment of the entry fee of £ 450.

display

On the first day in Niedernhausen, the Dutch Richard Veenstra, Kurz-conqueror Michael Plooy and Lorenzo Pronk and the Czech junior world champion Adam Gawlas prevailed.

"Queen of the Palace": Fallon Sherrock made history at the Darts World Cup

Source: LAWRENCE FUNNY

Fallon Sherrock, who caused a sensation at the penultimate Darts World Championships with her entry into the third round, was eliminated in Milton Keynes with a daily average of 78.4 in the round of 64, but thus secured one point for the overall ranking and I can continue to hope.