The recent Host Nation Qualifiers in Hildesheim delivered a thrilling spectacle, determining which German dart players will compete in upcoming European Tour events. Fans can look forward to seeing familiar faces like Florian Hempel making a strong return to the big stage, alongside exciting debutants such as Florian Preis. Paul Krohne and Dragutin Horvat also secured their spots for the European Darts Trophy in Göttingen, while Finn Behrens, Kevin Troppmann, Jan Schmidt, and Marcel Hausotter are set to clash at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich. This intense weekend showcased incredible comebacks, nail-biting finishes, and the emergence of fresh talent ready to challenge the established order in European darts.
The Road to the European Darts Trophy in Göttingen
Four talented players fought their way through the Hildesheim qualifiers to earn a coveted spot at the European Darts Trophy in Göttingen.
Florian Hempel’s Triumphant Return
After a brief stint on the PDC Europe Next Gen tour, all eyes were on “Kölsche Jung” Florian Hempel as he entered the European Tour qualifiers. He didn’t disappoint, immediately finding his stride and securing his return to the main stage in Göttingen. A highlight was his 6-4 semi-final victory against rising star Jaimy van de Weerd, a high-quality match where both players averaged close to 100. Van de Weerd famously missed a 170 checkout to level the score at 4-4, allowing Hempel to capitalize. Hempel then clinched the final with a 6-3 win over Kevin Troppmann, displaying dominant form early on, racing to a 5-0 lead before a late surge from Troppmann made it interesting. He also demonstrated resilience by coming back from a 0-3 deficit against Sven Wille in an earlier round.
Florian Preis: A Dream Debut
One of the weekend’s most exciting stories was the emergence of Florian Preis, who will make his European Tour debut. Preis was responsible for a major upset, defeating Tour Card holder Ricardo Pietreczko (“Pikachu”) 6-2. Pietreczko struggled from the start, and Preis sealed his impressive win with a 12-darter. This performance was a strong indicator of Preis’s current form, having previously held Finn Behrens at bay with a 98 average in a 6-4 first-round win. He consistently dominated his opponents, rarely dropping more than two legs against Mickey Meyer, Kilian Hohnstedt, and Patrick Schwab on his path to qualification.
Paul Krohne’s Consistent Excellence
Paul Krohne, a regular winner on the German circuit, secured his third European Tour appearance. He overcame Daniel Klose 6-4 in the final match, pulling ahead with two crucial 11-darters and sealing the deal with a pressured 75 checkout. Krohne had also delivered an 11-darter to win his semi-final against Moritz Bohrmann 6-3. His journey included a dominant 6-2 victory over Mika Donnevert, marking their third encounter this month.
Dragutin Horvat: The Unflappable Qualifier
Completing the Göttingen lineup is Dragutin Horvat, known for his calm and collected approach. In a tight contest against Luca Wolff, Horvat produced a 13-dart break in the deciding leg to advance. From there, he dispatched Michael Klönhammer, Patrick Klingelhöfer, and Jannis Barkhausen, each with convincing 6-2 scorelines. The Kassel native rarely needed his absolute ‘A-game’ but remained consistently in control, never truly threatened.
Battling for the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich
The second set of qualifiers saw four more players earn their tickets to Munich, with some familiar names and a new face making their mark.
Finn Behrens’ Sweet Revenge
After being defeated by Florian Preis earlier in the day for a spot in Göttingen, Finn Behrens got his revenge in the qualifiers for the German Darts Grand Prix. He defeated Preis 6-2, securing his place in Munich. Behrens’ path included victories over Jens Kniest, Martin Kramer, Kilian Hohnstedt, and Daniel Klose, showcasing his determination to make it to the European Tour once again.
Kevin Troppmann: A Seasoned Qualifier
Kevin Troppmann continued his impressive streak, qualifying for at least one European Tour event for the third consecutive year. He demonstrated his fighting spirit by turning around a 2-4 deficit against Franz Rötzsch early in the tournament. After overcoming Oliver Klein and Finn Prokop, he then comfortably rolled over surprise finalist Kris Heitmann in the final match, ensuring his spot in Munich.
Jan Schmidt: The New Kid on the Block
While the first qualifier saw established names dominate, the German Darts Grand Prix will feature a new debutant in Jan Schmidt. The 21-year-old secured his place with a 6-4 victory over Marvin Gemein. His journey was not without drama, as he reportedly survived at least one match dart against Dragutin Horvat. Schmidt raised his game significantly in the semi-final against Cedric Jeske, averaging over 90 points, proving his readiness for the big stage.
Marcel Hausotter: The Veteran’s Resurgence
At 34, Marcel Hausotter is a seasoned campaigner, having first appeared on the European Tour back in 2014. After a return in 2023, he will now make his third appearance, qualifying for Munich. In the final, he defeated Kimi Seemann 6-4, preventing a deciding leg with a crucial 109 checkout after numerous missed match darts. His path to the final included two nail-biting 6-5 victories against Andree Welge and Tobias Pankow, highlighting his experience under pressure.
Key Takeaways from the Hildesheim Qualifiers
- New Talent Shines: Florian Preis and Jan Schmidt are set to make their highly anticipated European Tour debuts, showcasing the depth of German darts talent.
- Veterans Return Strong: Florian Hempel’s impressive comeback and Marcel Hausotter’s consistent qualification highlight the enduring quality of experienced players.
- Intense Competition: The qualifiers were marked by numerous close matches, comebacks, and high-quality darts, demonstrating the growing standard of German darts.
- Double Qualification Drama: The unique situation of players competing for multiple events led to intriguing rivalries, most notably Finn Behrens’ revenge victory over Florian Preis.
The stage is now set for these German qualifiers to make their mark on the European Darts Tour, promising exciting action for fans in Göttingen and Munich.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
