Day two of the European Q-School Final Stage unfolded as a fiercely contested battle in Kalkar, with many pre-tournament favorites facing early exits. However, amidst the drama, Jeffrey Sparidaans from the Netherlands and Spain’s Cristo Reyes emerged victorious, each securing a coveted PDC Tour Card. Sparidaans navigated a nail-biting final, while Reyes delivered a dominant performance, claiming their spots on the professional circuit.
Event Overview: Day Two at European Q-School
Following a challenging first day, the field for day two of the European Q-School Final Stage was bolstered by two additional players from the First Stage ranking: Belgium’s Robbie Knops and Poland’s Sebastian Steyer, who finished 57th and 58th respectively. This brought the total number of competitors back to 128, all vying for another two direct Tour Cards.
Early Exits and Unexpected Upsets
Unlike the previous day, many of the higher-ranked players avoided clashing in the initial rounds. Nevertheless, the first round saw some compelling matchups and significant outcomes:
- Sweden’s Andreas Harrysson delivered a dominant 6-0 win against Jelle Klaasen.
- Poland’s Radek Szaganski mirrored this with a convincing 6-1 victory over Matt Campbell.
- Belgium’s Brian Raman triumphed 6-3 against American World Championship participant Adam Sevada.
Despite these wins, the first round proved to be a graveyard for several established names and strong contenders. Notable players who exited early included former Premier League winner Jose de Sousa, Dutch stalwarts Ron Meulenkamp and Jeffrey de Zwaan (who was a losing finalist on Day 1), and Day 1 quarter-finalists Michael Verberk and Damian Mol. In total, a staggering only 20 out of the 43 Dutch players managed to survive the first round, highlighting the intense competition.
The second round continued the trend of major upsets, with more big names crashing out. Players like Jamai van den Herik, Brian Raman, Boris Krcmar, Andreas Harrysson, and Jitse van der Wal all saw their campaigns end prematurely. These unexpected departures opened the door for several lesser-known players to advance deeper into the competition.
By the time the field narrowed to the last eight, three Dutch players remained. However, for Jurjan van der Velde and Alexander Merkx, this proved to be their final destination. Van der Velde was defeated by the consistently strong Spaniard Cristo Reyes, while Merkx succumbed to the impressive Italian Michele Turetta.
The Road to the Tour Cards: Final Showdowns
The tension peaked as the two crucial matches for the direct Tour Cards were set. On one side, Jeffrey Sparidaans faced Michele Turetta, and on the other, Cristo Reyes took on Germany’s Matthias Ehlers.
Jeffrey Sparidaans’s Gritty Victory
Jeffrey Sparidaans entered his final match with a slight advantage, having accumulated enough ranking points over the first two days that securing a Tour Card seemed almost a formality. However, this didn’t deter him from giving his all. Sparidaans started strongly, building a significant lead. Yet, mirroring some of his previous matches, he made it unnecessarily difficult for himself. After leading 5-1, he allowed Turetta to stage a remarkable comeback, leveling the score at 5-5. In a dramatic deciding leg, the Italian even missed multiple match darts, providing Sparidaans with a lifeline. Sparidaans seized the opportunity, closing out the match 6-5 and officially securing his PDC Tour Card!
Cristo Reyes’s Dominant Performance
In the other final, Spain’s Cristo Reyes delivered a more straightforward and dominant performance against Matthias Ehlers, winning 6-3. Reyes showcased consistent form throughout the day, leaving no doubt about his rightful place on the professional tour.
Key Results from Day 2
Semi-Finals:
- Michele Turetta 6-3 Alexander Merkx
- Jeffrey Sparidaans 6-5 Adam Gawlas
- Cristo Reyes 6-3 Jurjen van der Velde
- Matthias Ehlers 6-3 Romeo Grbavac
Finals:
- Jeffrey Sparidaans 6-5 Michele Turetta
- Cristo Reyes 6-3 Matthias Ehlers
Ranking Points Update (After Day 2)
While winning a daily final guarantees a Tour Card, players also accumulate ranking points throughout the four days of the Final Stage. These points are crucial for those who don’t win a direct card, as the top performers on the cumulative ranking at the end of the entire event will also earn their Tour Cards. Here’s a glimpse at the top of the ranking after two days:
- Benjamin Pratnemer 7 (+19)
- Adam Gawlas 7 (+18)
- Jimmy van Schie 6 (+21)
- Matthias Ehlers 6 (+16)
- Alexander Merkx 6 (+10)
- Michele Turetta 5 (+15)
- David Cameron 5 (+15)
- Jeffrey de Zwaan 5 (+14)
- Andreas Harrysson 5 (+10)
- Jurjen van der Velde 5 (+9)
The competition continues with two more days of intense darts, where every match and every leg can make a crucial difference in securing a spot on the prestigious PDC Pro Tour.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
