The Hungarian Darts Trophy has found a deserving winner. “I’m here to something special,” said Michael van Gerwen after his first match – and he didn’t promise too much.
In a thrilling final, the 35-year-old triumphed over Gian van Veen 8 – 7. Both players compete at a truly top level, in which nerves are on edge right up to the last second.
“I really had to fight here in the final. Gian took advantage of many situations, but for me it was mainly a fight against myself. Thanks to the fans. They have given me so much energy over the last three days. It feels really good to be able to give something back”, said Michael van Gerwen after the match.
For van Gerwen the way to the title leads over Martin Lukeman (6 – 2), Gabriel Clemens (6 – 2), Josh Rock (6 – 4) and Ross Smith (7 – 3). For Gian van Veen it is the first final on the European Tour.
But not only the final was a real firework. There was a new record with three nine-darters in one European Tour event. On Saturday Michael van Gerwen and Cor Dekker wrote the first two chapters of the new record with their outstanding performances. This is the first time that several nine-darters have been thrown in one day on the European Tour. Martin Schindler follows up on Sunday against Stephen Bunting, making him the first German to achieve the perfect leg on a TV stage.
From a German perspective, it was also exciting beyond that. Gabriel Clemens wins against the current world champion Luke Humphries in the decider, but was beaten in the last 16 by the later winner Michael van Gerwen. Martin Schindler, too, wins against Jim Williams in the decider. Despite a nine-darter he loses to Stephen Bunting in the last 16. Ricardo Pietreczko wins his opening match against Niels Zonneveld 6 – 5. he is forced to retire due to severe pain in his throwing arm.
Over the weekend, around 20,000 fans celebrated the darts spectacle in the MVM Dome in Budapest and created an extraordinary atmosphere. The PDC Europe now moves on to Basel, where the very first European Tour event in Switzerland is scheduled. The buzz of excitement for more brilliant darts action is already huge!
