The opening day of the German Darts Grand Prix (ET4) in Munich delivered a series of stunning upsets, with unheralded players defeating some of the sport’s biggest names. Host Nation Qualifier Marcel Hausotter secured a career-defining victory over darts legend Raymond van Barneveld, while Patrik Kovacs and Kim Huybrechts also delivered shock wins against Joe Cullen and Peter Wright, respectively. This electrifying start sets the stage for a wide-open tournament as established stars and rising talents battle for glory.
Munich Magic: Home Hero Hausotter Dumps Barney!
The crowd in Munich erupted as local favourite Marcel Hausotter, a Host Nation Qualifier, achieved a monumental 6-4 victory over five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld. Hausotter, who had never won a game on the European Tour before, showcased incredible composure to dispatch the Dutch maestro. This win marks a significant milestone for the 34-year-old, who now advances to face “The Ferret” Jonny Clayton in Sunday’s second round.
Former World Champions Fall: Wright and Van Barneveld Sent Packing
Van Barneveld wasn’t the only former World Champion to suffer an early exit. Two-time World Champion Peter Wright was surprisingly defeated 6-3 by a resurgent Kim Huybrechts. “The Hurricane” Huybrechts, despite facing the unusual situation of potentially losing his Tour Card, has shown strong form this year, placing him in the European Tour Order of Merit’s Top 16.
Another major upset saw Patrik Kovacs, who had previously gone winless in seven European Tour appearances, secure a sensational 6-3 victory over former Masters champion Joe Cullen. Kovacs, ecstatic after winning four consecutive legs to seal the match, shared his disbelief:
- “It’s unbelievable! I tried to play my game, I was really nervous, it’s incredible to win here.”
- “Joe [Cullen] didn’t play his best game, and I hit my doubles, I’m really happy… It’s the first time I have won a game on the European Tour, it was my dream to win a game here.”
Kovacs will now test his mettle against former European Champion Ross Smith in Sunday’s opening match.
German Talent Shines on Home Soil
Marcel Hausotter wasn’t the only German player to impress on the opening day. The local fans had more to cheer for as Ricardo Pietreczko (“Pikachu”) edged out Ian White 6-5, and Niko Springer defeated Jan Schmidt 6-3. These victories set up thrilling second-round clashes: Springer will face the formidable Michael van Gerwen, while Pietreczko renews his rivalry with Nathan Aspinall. German number one Martin Schindler will also join the action on Sunday, taking on Brendan Dolan.
Thrilling Finishes and Maximum Checkouts
The first day was also packed with dramatic finishes and spectacular checkouts:
- William O’Connor produced an equally thrilling end to his contest against Sebastian Bialecki, hitting a perfect 170 checkout to secure a 6-2 victory. A 170 checkout, often called “The Big Fish,” is the highest possible finish in darts, requiring three treble 20s followed by a double bullseye.
- Kevin Doets also reeled in “The Big Fish,” hitting his own 170 checkout in the very first leg of his dominant 6-0 win over Anton Ostlund.
- Brendan Dolan, “The History Maker,” secured his spot in the next round with a tense last-leg decider against Cor Dekker.
Other Notable Victories and Sunday’s Preview
Several other players secured their passage to the second round:
- Andrew Gilding continued his strong form with a 6-4 win over Wessel Nijman, hitting a fabulous tops-tops 140 checkout.
- Karel Sedlacek capitalized on Cameron Menzies’ struggles on the doubles, winning 6-4.
- Niels Zonneveld continued his consistent run, securing a convincing 6-3 win over European Tour debutant Adam Lipscombe.
- Former European Champion Ritchie Edhouse defeated Kevin Troppmann 6-3.
- Former World Champion Michael Smith kicked off the evening session with a convincing 6-2 victory over James Hurrell.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode and Ryan Joyce also recorded comfortable wins.
The German Darts Grand Prix continues on Sunday, with the top 16 seeded players entering the fray. With several major names like Littler, Humphries, Price, Bunting, and Anderson absent this Easter weekend, there’s a tangible sense of opportunity for many players at the Zenith in Munich. Expect more high-drama darts as the competition heats up!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
