German Darts Powerhouse: Klose Secures Double Qualification as New Stars Emerge for European Tour
Germany’s top darts talent recently battled it out in Hildesheim for the final Host Nation Qualifier spots of the year, determining who would represent their country at upcoming European Tour events. Daniel Klose emerged as the standout performer, achieving a remarkable double qualification for both the Baltic Sea Darts Open and the European Darts Open. He will be joined by a mix of established names and exciting newcomers including Paul Krohne, Marcel Hausotter, and debutant Jason Riedtke for the Baltic Sea Darts Open, while Dragutin Horvat, Jan Schmidt, and Jaimy van de Weerd will make their way to Leverkusen for the European Darts Open. This article details the thrilling journeys of these successful players.
Baltic Sea Darts Open: Four Germans Secure Their Spots in Kiel
The first set of qualifiers saw four German players earn their places at the Baltic Sea Darts Open in Kiel. Each player navigated a competitive field, showcasing skill and determination.
Paul Krohne: A European Tour Regular
Paul Krohne is increasingly becoming a familiar face on the European Tour circuit. The player from Münster kicked off his campaign with strong victories over Super League participants Kimi Seemann (6-3) and Jan Schmidt (6-1). He then secured a nail-biting deciding leg win against Kevin Jussen, setting him up for the final qualification match. Krohne comfortably defeated Jannis Barkhausen 6-2, ensuring his spot in Kiel.
Daniel Klose: Unstoppable Force
Daniel Klose’s qualification came as no surprise to many. “Dan the Man” dominated his early matches, dispatching Egor Tvorogov (6-1), Marvin Gemein (6-1), and Stefan Hesse (6-0) with ease. In the semi-final, he delivered a commanding performance with a 95-average to beat Michael Unterbuchner 6-3. Klose then denied Jonathan Parvaneh a stage debut, securing a 6-4 victory through superior timing and composure.
Jason Riedtke: A Memorable Debut Awaits
Berlin’s Jason Riedtke is set to make his European Tour debut in Kiel. His journey began with 6-4 wins against Luca Wolff and Kilian Hohnstedt. The match against Hohnstedt was a highlight, boasting a 91-average. A 6-3 success over Laurin Welk propelled Riedtke into the final, where he faced the experienced Franz Rötzsch. Riedtke proved to be significantly stronger, securing a decisive 6-1 win against “Destroyer” Rötzsch, who managed to claim only one leg with an impressive 126-finish.
Marcel Hausotter: Back on the Big Stage
For Marcel Hausotter, qualifying for the European Tour stage is becoming a regular occurrence. “Hausi” initially dashed the hopes of Jaimy van de Weerd (6-4) and Michael Hurtz (6-3). The Berliner then triumphed in a tight 6-5 contest against Finn Prokop. In the final showdown against Oliver Müller, “Hausi” left no doubt, winning 6-2 with a 92-average and sealing the match with a 76-finish. Tour Card holders Arno Merk and Kai Gotthardt were among those who unsuccessfully attempted to qualify.
European Darts Open: Klose Leads the Charge to Leverkusen
The second set of qualifiers determined the German representatives for the European Darts Open in Leverkusen, where Daniel Klose once again shone brightly, joined by three other skilled players.
Daniel Klose: The Perfect Day
Daniel Klose truly had a perfect day, being the only player to secure qualification for both events. The Bundesliga player from DC LaBamba will also be competing at the European Darts Open. Klose confidently navigated his way to the semi-finals with wins over Marius John (6-3), Merlin Nicolaus (6-1), and Jonathan Parvaneh (6-3). He then defeated “Darts Party” participant Rene Steinhauer 6-2. In the final against Lenny Schlüter, Klose maintained an average above the 110-mark for a significant period, eventually closing out the match 6-3 with a phenomenal 104.81 average.
Dragutin Horvat: “Hercules” Returns
Dragutin Horvat, known as “Hercules,” has once again found his way onto the big stage, after a period where his stage appearances were somewhat rare. His success began with a decisive leg victory against Lukas Dallmann. He then overcame Danny Tessmann (6-4) and Lars Urbinat (6-2). Following a 6-4 win against Kevin Troppmann, Horvat secured his spot by defeating Moritz Hilger with the same score in the final.
Jaimy van de Weerd: A Well-Deserved Debut
Jaimy van de Weerd’s consistent performances in recent months have finally paid off, earning him his European Tour debut in Leverkusen. He started strong with whitewash victories over Mickey Meyer and Boris Nowak. He continued his impressive run, stopping Jannis Barkhausen (6-3) and Franz Rötzsch (6-2), with all his matches averaging around the 90-mark. In the final, he triumphed over Paul Krohne, winning the last three legs consecutively with finishes in 13, 14, and 19 darts.
Jan Schmidt: Second European Tour Appearance
Jan Schmidt, who already appeared in Munich this year, will now also compete in Leverkusen. “Lightning” eliminated Michael Hurtz (6-3) and Maurice Junker (6-1) before defeating Jason Riedtke 6-2. After a 6-4 victory over Sebastian Steinmetz, Schmidt faced the experienced Michael Unterbuchner in the final. In the deciding leg, Schmidt delivered a crucial 12-darter, while “T-Rex” was still left with 300. Tour Card holders Pascal Rupprecht and Leon Weber also participated but did not manage to qualify on this occasion.
These Host Nation Qualifiers underscore the depth of talent within German darts, with both seasoned players reaffirming their presence and new stars stepping into the spotlight of the European Tour.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
