GERMANY THRILL CAPACITY CROWD AT BWIN WORLD CUP OF DARTS
HOSTS Germany set up a quarter-final tie with England at the bwin World Cup of Darts with a superb 2-0 defeat of rivals Austria on Saturday night, with the Netherlands and Scotland cruising through as Hong Kong caused a huge shock.
German pair Max Hopp and Jyhan Artut thrilled the capacity 3,000 crowd at Franfurt's Eissporthalle as the overcame Austrian duo Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez in their second round tie.
Artut initially held his nerve to edge out youngster Rodriguez in a decider - after the Austrian took out 100 and 106 to silence the home crowd as he levelled from 2-0 down - before teenager Hopp defeated Suljovic 4-2 in their Singles contest.
"It feels fantastic - but I've never been as nervous in my life as when I was 2-0 up! With so many people supporting you, you don't want to let them down and it's really hard to play in front of them.
"Rowby played well and was 3-2 up with the pressure, but I was lucky that he didn't play well in the end and I was so happy when the dart went into the double four."
Hopp added: "It was awesome tonight and we're looking forward to that game against England because Adrian and Phil are two legends - but it's a World Cup so anything can happen and we'll just play our game and see what happens."
The German pair will now meet two-time champions England in Sunday afternoon's quarter-finals, with Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis cruising past Japanese duo Haruki Muramatsu and Morihiro Hashimoto with the minimum of fuss.
Taylor took out finishes of 102 and 98 as he defeated Muramatsu 4-0 by hitting four doubles from as many attempts, while Lewis dropped only one leg as he saw off Hashimoto to keep the 2012 and 2013 champions on course for a title hat-trick.
"We're maybe trying too hard but we really want to win this," said Taylor. "In practice we're missing nine-darters every five minutes and we're going to click, and once we know we're up against it I think you'll see the proper England team.
"We've been in this together three times, won it twice and lost in the final so we know what we're doing."
Reigning champions Netherlands and stormed into the quarter-finals as they overcame South Africa 2-0, with Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld producing the best displays of the tournament so far.
Van Gerwen averaged 103.37 and took out 148 as he whitewashed Graham Filby in under seven minutes, while van Barneveld opened his game with flamboyant Devon Petersen with an 11-darter and averaged 99.93 in a 4-1 triumph.
"It was a nice win for me and I'm really happy with my performance but we prepared hard for this game and both played like we can and weren't in danger at any time," said van Gerwen.
"Now we can prepare properly for Sunday, which is going to be a really hard day. I think we're the team to beat, as the defending champions, and I think we're a great time; Raymond has a lot of experience and we know what to do."
The Dutch duo now take on Northern Ireland in the last eight, after the 2014 semi-finalists defeated New Zealand 2-0 with two Singles victories.
Brendan Dolan initially came from a leg down to defeat Rob Szabo 4-1 before left-hander Mickey Mansell whitewashed Warren Parry 4-0.
"I had a scare against New Zealand on my debut in the World Championship a few years ago when Preston Ridd beat me 4-0, so I had a worry about New Zealand players!" admitted Mansell.
"They won in the first round and showed that they're able to beat anybody, and I was trying extra hard so I was happy with how I played.
"I'm a totally different player to four years ago but we're a team and Brendan was superb getting the ball rolling and I didn't want to let the side down."
Number two seeds Scotland also moved into the last eight with a 2-0 triumph over Hungary, with World Champion Gary Anderson defeating Nandor Bezzeg 4-2 before Peter Wright whitewashed Gabor Takacs.
"The Hungarian lads played well and it's great when you play these countries; you don't do it very often and you can see the standard that they're bringing, and darts is in a good place now," said Anderson.
"I didn't see their first round game but they played well so it's good to be through but it will be hard again to play Hong Kong.
"They're two great lads and they've done brilliantly so far, so we'll know what we're up against."
Scotland will now face Hong Kong in the quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon, after Ting Chi Royden Lam and Scott MacKenzie knocked out the Republic of Ireland's William O'Connor and Connie Finnan in a thrilling Doubles decider.
Lam had made a superb start for Hong Kong by winning his Singles game against William O'Connor 4-1, leading the win with a 121 checkout.
MacKenzie then looked set to give his country comfortable passage into the last eight when he took a 3-0 lead against Connie Finnan in their Singles contest - only for the Irish ace to hit back and level.
Finnan then punished six missed match darts from MacKenzie in the seventh leg to complete a superb comeback and take a 4-3 win to send the tie into a Doubles decider
The drama continued as Hong Kong moved 2-0 up only to see Finnan's 80 checkout followed by a brilliant 132 combination of two bullseyes and double 16 from O'Connor.
Lam landed double top in the next for a 3-2 lead, but the Hong Kong pair would miss three more match darts as O'Connor finished double four to level and send the game into a one-leg shoot-out.
MacKenzie landed a 140 as Hong Kong were first to a finish, leaving Ireland waiting on a double as he returned to take out 86 on double 16 to redeem his earlier misses and snatch victory.
"I'm pretty chuffed - very happy to get through," said a relieved MacKenzie. "Royden was playing so well and it seemed for me like I was letting the side down but we did well.
"In the Singles I had so many chances but I didn't feel comfortable up there and I was so nervous. I had chances to win and couldn't hit it, so I'm happy to hit the last double in the final game.
"I hope the darts can come together and I can be more relaxed in the quarter-finals. Darts in Asia is booming and there are so many good players out there, and it's a proud moment for Asia."
The second round also saw former finalists Australia and Belgium claim victories as they progressed to a quarter-final tie.
Although Australia claimed a 2-0 win over Gibraltar, the victory came in dramatic circumstances, with Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson both enduring scares in their Singles wins over Dyson Parody and Manuel Vilerio.
Whitlock overcame a raft of missed doubles before he eventually whitewased Parody, but Nicholson had to come from 2-1 down to defeat Vilerio 4-3 in a deciding leg to seal progression for the 2012 finalists.
"We're a very good team," said Whitlock. "I was very focused and confident and knew I've been playing well, and I was very comfortable.
"We're playing really well as a team, practising well together and very confident at the moment."
Brothers Kim and Ronny Huybrechts both produced fine displays as they sent 2013 runners-up Belgium past Belgium with a 2-0 victory.
Ronny opened the tie by coming from a leg down against Cristo Reyes to take a 4-1 win, hitting a 124 checkout in the process, before younger brother Kim took out finishes of 110 and 100 in his 4-1 win over Antonio Alcinas, who finished 136 to claim his only leg.
"Ronny did the job and that made it a bit easier for me, but I still had to do my job too," said Kim Huybrechts. "I'm playing well and felt good again today, and when I feel good I'm a dangerous player.
"We've got self-belief, and if we believe in ourselves nobody can beat us, and we've got a good chance of winning the title."
Sunday afternoon's quarter-finals are followed in the evening session at the Eissporthalle by the semi-finals and final, with a £25,000 first prize per player on offer for the winning nation.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals are played in the same format as the second round, with two best of seven leg Singles ties being followed - if needed - by a Doubles decider over the best of seven legs.
The final will be played with two Singles ties, a Doubles match and Reverse Singles, with the winning nation being the first to win three ties in the game.
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bwin World Cup of Darts
Saturday June 13
Afternoon Session
Second Round
Belgium 2-0 Spain
Australia 2-0 Gibraltar
Northern Ireland 2-0 New Zealand
Hong Kong 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Evening Session
Second Round
Scotland 2-0 Hungary
Netherlands 2-0 South Africa
England 2-0 Japan
Austria 0-2 Germany
Sunday June 14
Afternoon Session (14:00-18:00 local time)
Quarter-Finals
Belgium v Australia
Scotland v Hong Kong
England v Germany
Northern Ireland v Netherlands
Evening Session (20:00-00:00 local time)
Semi-Finals
England/Germany v Belgium/Australia
Scotland/Hong Kong v Northern Ireland/Netherlands
Final
v
MATCH INFORMATION
AFTERNOON SESSION
BELGIUM v SPAIN
Singles One: Ronny Huybrechts v Cristo Reyes
0-1 - Reyes holds throw to win the opening leg on double 16.
1-1 - Reyes misses the bull to double his lead, allowing Huybrechts back in on double ten.
2-1 - Reyes fires in the game's first 180, but misses double 18 and nine to win the leg as Huybrechts finishes double 16 for a 14-darter.
3-1 - Huybrechts takes out a superb 124 finish on double eight to move two legs clear.
4-1 - Reyes hits another maximum, but misses double top and ten to allow Huybrechts in to land tops and complete the win in the opening tie.
Singles Two: Kim Huybrechts v Antonio Alcinas
1-0 - Huybrechts takes out 110 to win the opening leg.
2-0 - Huybrechts opens with a 180 before finishing double eight to break throw.
3-0 - The Belgian's superb display continues as he lands another maximum before finishing 100.
3-1 - Alcinas sparks his challenge with a brilliant 12-darter, opening with five perfect darts in a 180 and 140 before he takes out 136.
4-1 - Huybrechts struggles to land the winning double, but Alcinas misses three darts to stay in the hunt to allow his rival back in to seal the win on double one.
Doubles : Not Needed
Final Score: Belgium 2-0 Spain
AUSTRALIA v GIBRALTAR
Singles One: Simon Whitlock v Dyson Parody
1-0 - A nervy opening leg sees Whitlock - who lands a 180 - initially miss 13 darts at doubles and Parody miss ten chances of his own before the Australian lands double one to draw first blood.
2-0 - Whitlock opens with 140 and 180 before finishing tops to double his lead.
3-0 - Whitlock fires in his third maximum before double four puts him a leg away from the win.
4-0 - Whitlock is again first to a finish, but misses eight match darts initially - only for Parody to be off-target with four darts at doubles, with the Australian sealing victory as he began the game, on double one.
Singles Two: Paul Nicholson v Manuel Vilerio
1-0 - Nicholson takes out 69 to win the opening leg.
1-1 - Vilerio lands two 140s before finishing double four to level.
1-2 - Nicholson is left waiting on 24 as Vilerio takes out 74 to break throw.
2-2 - Nicholson hits back in style with a 127 checkout.
3-2 - Nicholson finishes 70 on double 16 to move back ahead.
3-3 - Nicholson misses his chance to seal victory for Australia, and Vilerio takes out 36 to keep the tie alive and force a deciding leg.
4-3 - Nicholson lands a 180 and is first to a finish, with double two sealing victory for Australia and a quarter-final spot.
Doubles : Not Needed
Final Score: Australia 2-0 Gibraltar
NORTHERN IRELAND v NEW ZEALAND
Singles One: Brendan Dolan v Rob Szabo
0-1 - Szabo wins the opening leg with the throw on double nine.
1-1 - Dolan finishes 41 on double eight to level.
2-1 - Dolan takes out 40 with an improvised double five, double 15 combination.
3-1 - Double 16 moves Dolan to the brink of victory.
4-1 - Dolan lands a 180, and when Szabo misses the bull for a 161 finish and two further darts to stay in the game the Northern Irish ace hits double ten for the win.
Singles Two: Mickey Mansell v Warren Parry
1-0 - Mansell finishes 80 on double ten to win the opening leg.
2-0 - The left-hander this time takes out 100 to double Northern Ireland's lead.
3-0 - Double ten moves Mansell a leg away from victory.
4-0 - Mansell opens with a 180 and adds a 140 before overcoming some nervy doubling to seal the win on double one, after Parry missed four darts at doubles.
Doubles: Not Needed
Final Score: Northern Ireland 2-0 New Zealand
HONG KONG v REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Singles One: Ting Chi Royden Lam v William O'Connor
1-0 - Lam opens the game with a 180 before punishing O'Connor for his six misses at double top by landing double four for a break of throw.
2-0 - Lam takes the game's second leg to double his lead.
2-1 - O'Connor lands double top to get his challenge up and running.
3-1 - Double five sees Lam move to a leg away from the win.
4-1 - Lam seals victory for Hong Kong in the opening Singles tie in style, landing a 180 before finishing 121 on double 14.
Singles Two: Scott MacKenzie v Connie Finnan
1-0 - MacKenzie takes out 70 on tops to claim the opening leg.
2-0 - The Hong Kong ace lands a 118 checkout on double 19 to break throw and move two up.
3-0 - MacKenzie initially misses six darts to win the leg, but two misses at double 16 from Finnan allow him back in to land double five to win a third leg.
3-1 - Finnan pins tops to win his first leg of the contest.
3-2 - Double ten sees Finnan close the gap further.
3-3 - Finnan levels the game, hitting a 180 before landing double 16.
3-4 - MacKenzie opens the final leg with a 180, but misses six match darts at double top, ten and five, and Finnan steps up to land double ten to send the game into a decisive Doubles contest.
Doubles: Ting Chi Royden Lam & Scott MacKenzie v William O'Connor & Connie Finnan
1-0 - Lam lands a 180 in the opening leg, with Finnan missing the bull for a 128 finish to allow MacKenzie in on tops - as he bounces back from his double troubles in the Singles game.
2-0 - O'Connor lands a 180 but misses three darts at doubles, and MacKenzie finishes double two.
2-1 - Finnan takes out 80 to hit back for Ireland.
2-2 - O'Connor produces a superb 132 checkout to level, hitting two bullseyes and double 16.
3-2 - Hong Kong move back ahead, with MacKenzie posting a 180 and Lam finishing 56 on tops.
3-3 - MacKenzie wires the bull for victory, but Finnan misses double 18 and nine to take the game into a decider - but Lam then misses double eight and four, allowing O'Connor to hit double four to take the whole game into a one-leg shoot-out.
4-3 - MacKenzie takes out 86 on double 16 to claim a remarkable win for Hong Kong.
Final Score: Hong Kong 2-1 Republic of Ireland
EVENING SESSION
SCOTLAND v HUNGARY
Singles One: Gary Anderson v Nandor Bezzeg
0-1 - Bezzeg finishes 40 to hold throw in the opening leg.
1-1 - Anderson lands a 180 before hitting double five to level.
2-1 - Anderson finishes 50 to break throw and move ahead.
3-1 - Anderson completes a 13-dart finish on tops.
3-2 - Three missed match darts go begging for Anderson, allowing Bezzeg in on tops to keep the game alive.
4-2 - Tops sees Anderson seal victory and the opening Singles game for Scotland.
Singles Two: Peter Wright v Gabor Takacs
1-0 - Wright finishes 65 on tops to give Scotland the lead.
2-0 - Wright lands a 180 and finishes double four to break throw for a two-leg lead.
3-0 - The Scot fires in a second maximum to set up double 16 for a three-leg cushion.
4-0 - A third 180 of the game nudges Wright clear before he completes a 13-darter to seal Scotland's quarter-final place.
Doubles: Not Needed
Final Score: Scotland 2-0 Hungary
NETHERLANDS v SOUTH AFRICA
Singles One: Michael van Gerwen v Graham Filby
1-0 - van Gerwen lands a 180 as he takes the game's opening leg.
2-0 - The Dutchman finishes double 16 with his third dart as he doubles his lead.
3-0 - van Gerwen takes out a brilliant 148 checkout to move three legs clear.
4-0 - van Gerwen seals victory in under seven minutes by finishing 80 on tops to end with a superb 103.37 average.
Singles Two: Raymond van Barneveld v Devon Petersen
1-0 - Both players receive incredible receptions from the sell-out crowd in Frankfurt before the opening leg goes to the Netherlands, with van Barneveld landing a 180 and finishing 96 for an 11-darter.
2-0 - The Dutchman takes out 84 in two darts to double his lead.
2-1 - Petersen hits back by taking out 50.
3-1 - Petersen leaves 32 to level, but van Barneveld finishes double eight as he moves to the brink of victory.
4-1 - Double 18 sees van Barneveld seal an impressive win, averaging 99.93 as he puts the holders into the last eight
Doubles: Not Needed
Final Score: Netherlands 2-0 South Afric
ENGLAND v JAPAN
Singles One: Phil Taylor v Haruki Muramatsu
1-0 - Taylor makes the ideal start for England by finishing 102 on double 16.
2-0 - Double 16 for a 52 finish sees Taylor break throw for a two-leg lead.
3-0 - Taylor remains flawless with his finishing as he takes out 98 in two darts.
4-0 - Muramatsu is first to a double, but misses three darts at tops to allow Taylor in, and the two-time champion finishes 75 on tops to seal victory with four doubles from as many attempts.
Singles Two: Adrian Lewis v Morihiro Hashimoto
1-0 - Hashimoto misses three darts at double 16 to punish four earlier missed doubles from Lewis, who returns to pin double ten.
2-0 - Lewis fires in a 180 as he doubles his lead.
3-0 - Lewis finishes 78 on tops to move three legs up.
3-1 - Lewis is punished for wasting his chance to seal victory as Hashimoto steps in on double 16.
4-1 - Hashimoto misses the bull to finish 121, and Lewis lands double five to seal England's win and a quarter-final place.
Doubles: Not Needed
Final Score: England 2-0 Japan
AUSTRIA v GERMANY
Singles One: Rowby-John Rodriguez v Jyhan Artut
0-1 - Artut lands a 180 before landing tops for a 13-darter to make a superb start.
0-2 - Double ten sees Artut double his lead, much to the delight of the capacity 3,000 crowd.
1-2 - Artut lands another 180, but Rodriguez finishes 100 to get off the mark.
2-2 - The Austrian youngster silences the German crowd as he levels with a 106 checkout, after Artut misses two darts at double 16.
3-2 - Rodriguez coolly finishes 57 on tops to move ahead.
3-3 - Artut takes the game into a decider by finishing 72 in two darts on double 12.
3-4 - Rodriguez's worst leg of the game comes in the decider, with Artut first to a finish and able to miss two match darts before returning to land double four to claim the win.
Singles Two: Mensur Suljovic v Max Hopp
0-1 - Double eight gives Hopp the ideal start.
0-2 - Both players miss doubles to complete ton-plus combinations, and Hopp returns on double four to move two legs up.
1-2 - Hopp misses double 12 for a three-leg lead, and Suljovic takes out 96 in two darts to get off the mark.
2-2 - Suljovic levels the game by taking out 57 on tops.
2-3 - Hopp takes out 101 to move Germany one leg away from the quarter-finals.
2-4 - Suljovic misses two darts to take the game into a decider, and Hopp finishes 60 on tops to put hosts Germany into the quarter-finals.
Doubles: Not Needed
Final Score: Austria 0-2 Germany