Paul Krohne has once again proven his formidable talent, sweeping the latest PDC Europe Next Gen tournament in Kalkar with an undefeated run. The 25-year-old secured the title by defeating Dragutin Horvat 6-4 in a thrilling final, solidifying his position at the top of the rankings. This event, played in the challenging ‘Master Out’ format, also saw strong performances from Mika Donnevert and Jaimy van de Weerd, who both reached the semi-finals, and a remarkable resurgence from Dragutin ‘Herkules’ Horvat.
Krohne’s Unstoppable Journey: An Undefeated Streak
The PDC Europe Next Gen circuit is quickly becoming the stage for Paul Krohne’s dominance. The 25-year-old from Münster continued his stellar form, following up on his recent Dutch Open title with another undefeated triumph in Kalkar. This tournament featured the demanding “Master Out” format, where players must finish a leg by hitting a double or the bullseye. Krohne navigated this challenge with exceptional skill.
His path to the final was nothing short of spectacular:
- In the preliminary rounds, Krohne dropped just one leg.
- He secured decisive victories against Benjamin Krauspe (4-1) and Sebastian Stute (4-0).
- Further wins came against Patrick Klingelhöfer (4-1) and Florian Preis (4-3).
- A 90-average performance led to a whitewash victory against Michael Klönhammer.
- Even when facing match darts in the semi-final against Mika Donnevert, Krohne maintained his composure, eventually checking out 60 points on the triple 20 for a crucial win.
The Grand Final: A Battle of Titans
The final pitted Paul Krohne against fellow Super League veteran Dragutin Horvat. Both players brought immense experience to the oche, but it was Krohne who delivered a top-tier performance to cap off his perfect weekend. He averaged an impressive 98.57, securing a 6-4 victory.
Key moments from the final:
- Krohne set the tone early with a 10-dart finish in the second leg.
- Horvat responded swiftly with a 12-dart leg, keeping the match even at 3-3.
- Krohne then pulled ahead, winning two consecutive legs.
- Horvat fought back, narrowing the gap on double 4.
- However, Krohne sealed the deal with a 16-dart finish, preventing a deciding leg and claiming the title.
Horvat’s Resurgence and Other Standout Players
While the title went to Krohne, Dragutin Horvat, known as “Herkules,” showed a significant return to form. After a somewhat slow start to the season, the two-time World Championship participant proved he’s back in contention at the Next Gen series. His journey to the final included victories over Marko Puls, Jan Schmidt, and former German Champion Mitja Gustorf. In a tight semi-final, Horvat edged out Jaimy van de Weerd in a decisive leg, a player who is increasingly making a strong case for Super League participation.
Other notable performances included:
- Quarter-finalists: Mitja Gustorf, Niklas Berger, Kevin Jußen, and darting veteran Michael Klönhammer.
- Top Average: Florian Preis recorded the highest average of the day, an astounding 109.31 in a preliminary round match against Leon Thurner.
- Austrian player Rowby-John Rodriguez also reached the last 16.
Tournament Structure and Early Stage Dynamics
The tournament attracted a strong field of 344 participants and began with a unique “Ligamodus” (group stage) format. In this phase, players compete in three rounds, each against a randomly assigned opponent, in “Best of 4 Legs” matches (or “Best of 8 Legs” for 170-mode). Points are awarded based on results, and the top 128 players advance to the knockout stage.
While many advanced, some familiar names faced early exits, including Patrick Tringler, Lenny Schlüter, David Schlichting, and others who didn’t reach the top 128. Players like Marko Puls, Marcus Maier, and Fabian Herz, who have made their mark in the DDV (German Darts Association) in recent years, also saw their campaigns end in the top 128. The last 64 saw the elimination of Jarod Becker, Laurin Welk, Moritz Bohrmann, and Michael Hurtz.
The Next Gen Rankings: Krohne Leads the Pack
Paul Krohne’s consistent excellence has given him a comfortable lead in the PDC Europe Next Gen rankings. He sits significantly ahead of Florian Preis, who holds the second spot. Completing the top three is Jaimy van de Weerd, whose strong performances suggest he can soon plan for a Super League debut.
The competition for the remaining spots is fierce, with very tight margins separating players. Just below the qualification line for now are notable names such as Rene Eidams, Andree Welge, and Nico Kurz, highlighting the depth of talent in the series.
What’s Next for PDC Europe Next Gen?
The PDC Europe Next Gen series will continue its exciting run on March 7th and 8th with two more tournaments held in Hildesheim. These events promise new challenges, as they will feature different formats: the tactical “FA Cup” mode and the precise “Double-In/Double-Out” format, requiring players to start and end each leg with a double.
Prize Money Distribution (Per Event)
- Winner: €1,500
- Runner-Up: €750
- Semi-Finalists: €400
- Quarter-Finalists: €250
- Last 16: €150
- Last 32: €100
- Last 64: €50
Total prize money per event: €8,450
Bonus Payouts for Exceptional Play
- 9-Darter: €99
- 10-Darter: €8
- 11-Darter: €5
- 12-Darter: €3
- 13-15-Darter: €1
High Checkouts:
- 161-170: €3
- 131-160: €2
- 101-130: €1
High Scores:
- 171, 174, 177, 180: €1
Match Formats Explained
- Ligaphase (Group Stage): Best of 4 Legs (all legs played)
- Group Stage (if applicable, separate from Ligaphase): Best of 5 Legs
- Knockout Phase (up to Quarter-Finals): Best of 7 Legs
- Quarter-Finals: Best of 9 Legs
- Semi-Finals: Best of 9 Legs
- Final: Best of 11 Legs
The Ligaphase is implemented for events with 257 to 384 participants. The top 128 players from the Ligaphase standings advance to a single-elimination knockout bracket, seeded according to their group performance (1st vs. 128th, 2nd vs. 127th, etc.). If there’s an odd number of players, the highest-ranked player on the PDC Europe Next Gen Main Order of Merit receives a bye (counted as a 4-0 win, completing their three group games).
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
