The recent Pro Tour block in Wigan concluded with two crucial Tour Card Holder Qualifiers, determining who will compete in two upcoming European Tour events in Germany. While the International Darts Open in Riesa saw no new German qualifiers, darts fans can rejoice as Max Hopp and Lukas Wenig successfully secured their spots for the Baltic Sea Darts Open in Kiel. Spanish veteran Cristo Reyes continued his remarkable form, achieving his fifth successful qualification this season, highlighting a day filled with dramatic comebacks, nail-biting deciders, and unexpected upsets.
A Double Header in Wigan: The Road to Riesa and Kiel
The Pro Tour block in Wigan recently wrapped up with two intense Tour Card Holder Qualifiers, setting the stage for two exciting European Tour events in Germany: the International Darts Open in Riesa and the Baltic Sea Darts Open in Kiel. These qualifiers are vital for players looking to earn their place among the elite and compete on the big stage.
Baltic Sea Darts Open: German Hopes Soar in Kiel
Max Hopp Breaks the Qualification Curse
After a frustrating run of three consecutive final-round defeats in qualifiers, **Max Hopp finally broke his barren spell**, securing his place at the Baltic Sea Darts Open in Kiel. Hopp showcased dominant form, starting with a convincing 6-2 victory over Cor Dekker, followed by a clear 6-1 win against Tyler Thorpe. His final match against Christian Kist was a true test of nerves.
Initially trailing 1-3, Hopp mounted a spectacular comeback, winning three legs in a row to take a 4-3 lead. Kist fought back, leveling the score and then breaking Hopp’s throw with a 13-darter to go 5-4 up. However, **Hopp refused to yield**, hitting a 14-darter to force a deciding leg, which he then clinched with a crucial 13-darter, securing his much-deserved spot in Kiel.
Lukas Wenig Secures Second European Tour Appearance
Lukas Wenig also celebrated a successful qualification for Kiel, marking his second appearance via the Tour Card Holder Qualifier. “Luu” demonstrated incredible fighting spirit, overcoming a 2-5 deficit against David Sharp in his opening match. He then comfortably defeated Adam Lipscombe 6-3. In the decisive final match against Stephen Burton, Wenig faced an early break, but a crucial 11-darter sparked a run of three consecutive legs (13, 16, and 18 darts), earning him his ticket to Kiel.
International Darts Open: Reyes Dominates, New Faces Emerge
Cristo Reyes’s Unstoppable Streak
The Spanish sensation, **Cristo Reyes, continued his remarkable run of form**, qualifying for his fifth European Tour event this year. His journey was capped by a stunning 11-darter in the deciding leg of his final match against Andy Boulton. Reyes’s consistency is a testament to his current prowess on the oche.
Other Qualifiers for Riesa
The Riesa event will welcome several new and familiar faces. **Charlie Manby will make his European Tour debut**, a well-deserved reward after overturning a 0-4 deficit against Gabriel Clemens. Other players who successfully navigated the qualifiers include:
- Bradley Brooks
- Tom Bissell
- Jeffrey Sparidaans
- Keane Barry
- Kim Huybrechts (securing his fourth qualification, or fifth including the Host Nation Qualifier in Wieze)
Additionally, **Owen Bates lit up the qualifiers with a perfect 9-darter**, a rare and thrilling achievement.
Close Calls and Notable Performances
The qualifiers were filled with dramatic moments, where many players came agonizingly close to securing their spots:
- Stefan Bellmont showed significant improvement, defeating world number 5 seed Callan Rydz, but ultimately lost in the final game to Jeffrey Sparidaans in a tight contest.
- Austrian veteran Mensur Suljovic started strong with two comfortable 6-2 wins, but a red-hot Cristo Reyes, averaging over 100, proved too much in the latter stages.
- Gabriel Clemens suffered a frustrating defeat, squandering a commanding 4-0 lead against Charlie Manby.
- Rob Cross, a top seed, faced a similar fate, losing his final match after missing multiple match darts, but still earned the position of first reserve.
- Several other German players, including Dominik Grüllich, Maximilian Czerwinski, and Marvin Kraft, endured heartbreaking decider losses in their respective matches.
- Ricardo Pietreczko, already qualified for Riesa, unfortunately missed out on a spot in Kiel, losing after an early deficit.
Looking Ahead: Reserves and Future Events
For those who narrowly missed out, there’s still a glimmer of hope. **Rob Cross will be the first reserve** for the European Tour events, while **Dimitri van den Bergh stands as the second reserve**, both potentially stepping in if qualified players withdraw. The Host Nation Qualifiers for Germany will be played out in a month, offering another chance for local talent to shine.
Key Qualifiers for Baltic Sea Darts Open (Kiel)
Beyond Hopp and Wenig, other notable players who secured their spots for Kiel include:
- Ricky Evans
- James Hurrell
- Jeffrey de Zwaan
- Ian White
- Jimmy van Schie
- Sebastian Bialecki
- Justin Hood
Even darts legends like Michael Smith and Raymond van Barneveld faced early exits in these highly competitive qualifiers, underscoring the depth of talent in professional darts.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
