The German darts professional Florian Hempel was eliminated in the third round of the world championship.

Almost a week after his surprise win against Belgian Dimitri van den Bergh, the 31-year-old Cologne lost 4-1 to Raymond Smith from Australia on Monday.

Gabriel Clemens remains the only German so far to have reached the round of 16 at the World Cup.

In the round of 16 (from December 29th) Smith will face the winner of the game between Steve Lennon (Ireland) and Mervyn King from England.

Hempel was unable to build on his performance after his strong performance against fellow favorite van den Bergh.

The former handball goalkeeper played 87.66 points on average, his dreaded double quota was only 34.6 percent.

With his third round entry, however, Hempel brought in 25,000 pounds (29,650 euros) in prize money and thus moved into the top 64 in the world.

Hempel, who had won the German duel against his buddy Martin Schindler at the beginning, was initially unnoticed by his newly gained self-confidence.

Born in Dessau, he had problems getting into the game at the beginning and lost the first set.

Smith, whose son Ky was eliminated in the first round, was able to call up his performance from the first two games, showed the better nerve in the course of the game and also got the second set.

Hempel, who only started darts four years ago, started a short comeback in the third set, which he won.

But Smith couldn’t miss the win, which he made perfect in the fifth set.

The 42-year-old delivered a constant performance and averaged 94.79 points.

With the defeat, the German also missed securing the so-called tour card from compatriot Max Hopp.

This could now be ousted to the necessary 64th place by Smith, if he wins his round of 16.

The tour card entitles players to take part in important tournaments of the PDC world association.