In a thrilling display of skill and determination, German darts players Paul Krohne and Michael Unterbuchner delivered exceptional performances at the recent Host Nation Qualifiers, securing their spots in not one, but two prestigious European Tour events: the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen and the International Darts Open in Riesa. They weren’t the only ones making headlines; Michael Hurtz marked a triumphant return to the big stage, while Robin Masino made a stunning debut. Joining them are promising talents Finn Behrens and Liam Maendl-Lawrance, all ready to showcase their prowess against Europe’s elite.
German Darts Stars Shine at Host Nation Qualifiers
The Host Nation Qualifiers are crucial events for local players to earn a coveted spot in the prestigious European Tour tournaments. These qualifiers allow players from the host country to compete against the world’s best. This past Sunday saw intense competition for spots in the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen and the International Darts Open in Riesa, with several players rising to the occasion.
Paul Krohne: A Double Qualification Masterclass
Münster’s Paul Krohne, ranked 5th in the WDF World Rankings, had an outstanding weekend, securing qualification for both European Tour events. His journey was marked by impressive averages and clutch finishes:
- For the European Darts Grand Prix (Sindelfingen): Krohne’s second successful qualification of the weekend saw him dominate the final match against Patrick Klingelhöfer with a 6-1 victory, boasting a phenomenal 96-average – his best performance of the day. Earlier, he overcame Felix Springer and even a PDC Tour Card holder, Maximilian Czerwinski. The match against Czerwinski was tight at 4-4, but Krohne capitalized on his opponent’s missed doubles for 100 and 80 points, ruthlessly closing out the game. This meant all three Tour Card holders failed to qualify for the European Tour this weekend.
- For the International Darts Open (Riesa): Krohne continued his stellar form, eliminating several well-known names. He started with comfortable wins against Martin Kramer (6-1) and Christopher Toonders (6-3), followed by a 6-3 victory over David Jeske. The Dutch Open Champion then elevated his game, hitting a 97-average in a 6-4 win against Florian Preis. He sealed his double qualification with an incredible 101-average in a 6-1 triumph over young Florian Drews.
Michael Unterbuchner: ‘T-Rex’ Roars Twice
Landsberg’s Michael Unterbuchner, known as ‘T-Rex’, also enjoyed a perfect day, mirroring Krohne’s double qualification. His performances were a testament to his consistent high-level play:
- For the European Darts Grand Prix (Sindelfingen): Unterbuchner delivered a dominant performance, dropping an astonishingly low total of only 4 legs across 5 matches. He defeated European Tour participant Kevin Troppmann and the in-form Florian Preis before facing Finn Prokop in the final. Prokop, with a 70-average, was simply outmatched, as Unterbuchner secured his spot in Sindelfingen with commanding authority, including a 92.89 average in the final.
- For the International Darts Open (Riesa): ‘T-Rex’ continued his relentless march, beginning with a 6-0 whitewash against Julien Maurice Hielscher, followed by a 6-4 win over Felix Springer. A deciding-leg victory against Jonas Wagener preceded a 6-3 success against Marc Spalt. The final for Riesa saw a Bavarian showdown against Daniel Klose, who took three consecutive legs to lead 3-2. However, Unterbuchner showed perfect timing and finished the match with exceptional 11 and 12-dart legs, securing his second qualification.
Michael Hurtz: The Return of a Veteran
After approximately six years, Michael Hurtz, affectionately known as ‘Hurtzi’, is set to make his return to the European Tour stage, having previously reached the second round twice. His qualification for Sindelfingen was a display of experience and nerve:
- He overcame Marcel Althaus and then survived a decider against Jaimy van de Weerd.
- A 6-1 victory against Hilger Zwick put him in the final against young Mika Donnevert.
- Despite falling 3-4 behind, the 46-year-old veteran held his nerve, as ‘Mikado’ couldn’t close it out. Hurtz seized the opportunity, closing the match with 13, 17, and 19-dart legs to secure his comeback.
Robin Masino: A Dream Debut
Robin Masino’s qualification for the European Darts Grand Prix came completely out of the blue, especially considering it was his first ever PDC event participation. His journey was remarkable:
- He started his day with a 73-average against Marcel Hausotter.
- Despite not hitting more than an 80-average in any match, Masino showed incredible resilience, surviving match darts against Danny Diller.
- He then secured fairly clear victories against Jens Kniest (6-3), Luca Wolff (6-3), and in the final against Dominic Ferrero (6-2), sealing his debut with a 13-dart leg on double 18.
Finn Behrens: Consistent Excellence for Riesa
Finn Behrens earned his second qualification ticket of the weekend for the International Darts Open in Riesa, showcasing remarkable consistency throughout his matches:
- His averages in all five games ranged impressively between 84 and 90 points.
- He defeated Joshua Hermann (6-3), Jason Riedtke (6-5), and Jan Schmidt (6-4).
- Another tight match against Laurin Welk saw Behrens prevail 6-4.
- In the final, he faced Michael Hurtz, who initially led 3-0. However, Behrens mounted a stunning comeback, winning four consecutive legs to turn the match around for a 6-4 victory, denying Hurtz a second qualification.
Liam Maendl-Lawrance: Riesa Redemption
Liam Maendl-Lawrance found a conciliatory end to his weekend by securing his qualification for Riesa, despite encountering some fluctuations in his form:
- He achieved 6-3 victories against Jordy van de Weerd and Robin Beger.
- He then defeated Moritz Bohrmann 6-1, highlighted by a strong 93-average.
- After a 6-4 win against Giuseppe Rizzo, he faced the highly experienced Andree Welge. This would have been Welge’s first European Tour appearance in 10 years, but Maendl-Lawrance had the stronger scoring power, securing a decisive 6-2 victory to claim his spot.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
