Two rising stars in the world of darts, Anton Östlund and José Marques, have punched their tickets to the sport’s biggest stage: the PDC World Darts Championship at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace. Östlund dominated the PDC Nordic & Baltic Championship, not only securing his debut at Ally Pally but also earning a coveted spot in the Grand Slam of Darts. Meanwhile, Marques battled through the Mediterranean qualifier, becoming only the second Portuguese player ever to reach the World Championship, overcoming seasoned professionals along the way. Their impressive victories highlight their talent and promise exciting new rivalries on the global darts circuit.
Östlund’s Dominant Run in Nordic & Baltic Championship
The PDC Nordic & Baltic Championship proved to be a showcase for Sweden’s Anton Östlund, who secured his maiden appearance at the World Championship. His journey began with a commanding performance in the group stage.
- Opening Match: Östlund kicked off with a stunning 100.2 average, sweeping aside Alexander Thorvaldsson 6-0.
- Challenging Second Game: He then faced the top seed, Daniel Larsson, defeating him 6-4 with a solid 92.48 average.
Knockout Rounds and a Grand Finale
As the tournament progressed to the knockout stages, Östlund maintained his high level of play, demonstrating consistency and nerves of steel.
- Quarter-Final: He dispatched Petri Rasmus 7-3, again averaging over 92.
- Semi-Final Masterclass: In a truly remarkable performance, Östlund cruised past fourth seed and Tour Card Holder Oskar Lukasiak with an emphatic 8-1 victory. His average was an impressive 95.60, capped off by a spectacular 170 checkout to seal the win!
The final saw him face Darius Labanauskas. Crucially, Labanauskas had already qualified for the World Championship through the ProTour, meaning Östlund’s spot at Ally Pally was already guaranteed. However, Östlund wasn’t content with just qualifying; he went on to defeat Labanauskas 6-4 in a devastating display, claiming the championship title and, as an added bonus, securing a spot in the upcoming Grand Slam of Darts.
Marques Makes History at the Mediterranean Qualifier
In a parallel event, the Mediterranean qualifier, held in Spain, brought forward another new face for the World Championship: Portugal’s José Marques. This tournament saw 45 Spanish players vying for the spot, alongside just seven international competitors, including some well-known names.
A Field of Strong Contenders
The event attracted a diverse range of talent:
- Spanish Hopes: Notable Spanish players included Jesus Noguera, Jose Justicia, and Ricardo Perez Ibarra.
- International Challengers:
- France: Thibault Tricole, the only Tour Card holder present.
- Italy: Former Tour Card holder Michele Turetta and his 2026 World Cup partner Riccardo Castelli.
- Portugal: Former Grand Slam champion José de Sousa and his 2020/2021 World Cup partner José Marques.
- Gibraltar: Former World Championship qualifier Nico Bado and the returning Dyson Parody.
Despite the presence of several favourites like de Sousa, Tricole, Turetta, Justicia, and Noguera, the tournament saw a series of early upsets, leaving the field wide open by the semi-final stage.
Marques’ Path to Ally Pally
José Marques demonstrated his prowess by navigating through the challenging field.
- Semi-Final Victory: He defeated Alvaro Munoz Lopez 7-3 with an 89.37 average, ensuring Portuguese representation in the final.
- The Final Showdown: Marques faced the in-form Ricardo Perez Ibarra, who had averaged an impressive 97.49 in his semi-final win. The final was a tense affair, going all the way to a deciding leg.
In a nail-biting finish, Marques triumphed 7-6 over Perez, securing his World Championship debut with a 90.23 average. This momentous victory makes him only the second player from Portugal to ever qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship, following in the footsteps of his former World Cup partner, José de Sousa. Both Östlund and Marques now prepare to make their mark on the grandest stage in darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
