Ruiz Wins Spanish Qualifier

THE inaugural Spanish qualifier for the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was held on Sunday.

Over 100 players competed in Valladolid to win a place in the preliminary round of the World Championship in December.

The final saw Francosco Ruiz defeat Julio Barbero 6-2, after also taking victories against Ricardo Sanchez, José A Justicia and Borja Jimenez in the final stages.

Ruiz, 43, is a bar owner from Coin, near Malaga, who was part of the International NDA Team Championship winning team at a soft-tip event in Las Vegas earlier this year.

Ruiz has previously competed in PDC Pro Tour events held in Gibraltar, and will join Carlos Rodriguez - who will qualify via either the Players Championship or European Order of Merit - in competing at Alexandra Palace.

Spanish National Championship
Last 16

Jose A Glez Villalobos 6-5 Armando Jimenez
Jesús Almazán 6-0 Emilio José
Julio Barbero 6-5 Andrés Antonio Alcinas
Oscar Nuñez Soto 6-0 Alvaro Manzano
Julio Cuenca 6-5 José Mª Añibarro
Ricardo Sanchez 6-4 Juan J Acs
Francisco Ruiz 6-1 Borja Jimenez
José A Justicia 6-0 José M Toca

Quarter-Finals
Jesús Almazán 6-1 José A Guiterez
Julio Barbero 6-1 Oscar Nuñez Soto
Ricardo Sanchez 6-2 Julio Cuenca
Francisco Ruiz 6-4 José A Justicia

Semi-Finals
Julio Barbero 6-1 Jesús Almazán
Francisco Ruiz 6-2 Ricardo Sanchez

Final
Francisco Ruiz 6-2 Julio Barbero