Krakow’s Darts Debut: Upsets, Heroes, and High Stakes at the Poland Masters!
The ancient city of Krakow, usually celebrated for its stunning architecture and rich history, transformed into a buzzing arena for the debut of the Poland Masters, the nation’s first-ever PDC European Tour event. The air vibrated not with medieval tales, but with the rhythmic thud of darts hitting the board and the collective tension of a crowd anticipating a perfect double.
A Historic Start: Menzies Claims First Victory
The opening afternoon session, while largely free of earth-shattering upsets, certainly offered plenty of excitement. Cameron Menzies of Scotland etched his name into the tournament’s history books, becoming the first player to register a victory in this brand-new event. Menzies was in magnificent form, unleashing nine maximum 180s as he confidently defeated former European Champion Ritchie Edhouse 6-4. His reward? A highly anticipated second-round clash with the seasoned strategist James Wade, a match promising a fascinating battle of wits and skill.
The event also provided a platform for local talent. While two Polish qualifiers ultimately bowed out, their commendable resistance offered clear proof that the competitive standard of darts in Eastern Europe is rapidly advancing, no longer in its infancy but truly on the rise.
Veteran Prowess and Emerging Challengers
Veteran campaigner Willie O’Connor, affectionately known as ‘The Magpie’, navigated his way past the always-dangerous Andreas Harrysson from Sweden. Despite his long tenure on the European Tour since its inception in 2012, O’Connor is still hunting for that elusive first title, having stumbled at the final hurdle twice before. In a display of true sportsmanship after his 6-4 win, O’Connor suggested Harrysson was deserving of a professional tour card. His next challenge is against a fellow Irish player, guaranteeing at least one Emerald Isle representative in the later stages.
Other notable results from the afternoon included:
- Boris Krcmar delivered one of the session’s more surprising outcomes, impressively defeating Ryan Joyce 6-3. This victory sets him up for a formidable encounter with Germany’s top player, Martin Schindler.
- Luke Woodhouse continued his consistent form, overcoming debutant Carl Sneyd 6-2 to secure a match against his practice partner, Callan Rydz, a fixture loaded with familiarity.
- Niels Zonneveld faced little trouble from qualifier Piotr Maciejczak, winning 6-2. Despite the partisan Polish crowd’s enthusiastic support for their local player, the Dutchman maintained his composure. He now faces the hugely popular Stephen Bunting, a player who enjoys immense affection from European darts fans.
- Former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, known for his deceptively smooth throwing style and pinpoint accuracy, comfortably dispatched Jeffrey De Graaf 6-3. He now prepares to face the rising Dutch star Gian van Veen.
- Jermaine Wattimena, nicknamed ‘The Machine Gun’, had a slightly tougher challenge against the other Polish qualifier, Miroslaw Grudziecki, before eventually asserting his authority with a 6-4 win. Wattimena will need to sharpen his precision when he meets compatriot Danny Noppert in the next round.
Chisnall’s Misfortune Continues as Pilgrim Advances
The afternoon concluded with a significant upset as Dave Chisnall’s recent run of frustrating results persisted. In a match plagued by missed opportunities on the crucial ‘outer ring’ (doubles), Daryl Pilgrim prevailed 6-4. Pilgrim, proving slightly more clinical when it mattered most, earned himself the opportunity to test the resolve of world-class talent Nathan Aspinall in the next phase of the tournament.
Looking Ahead: More Drama to Come
As a brief interlude settled over the EXPO Arena, the stage was set for the evening session to complete the opening round. The afternoon provided a tantalizing glimpse of the potential for upsets and thrilling encounters, with the promise that the evening would inject even more of the volatility and drama that makes darts such a captivating spectacle.
Afternoon Session Results:
- Cameron Menzies 6-4 Ritchie Edhouse
- William O’Connor 6-4 Andreas Harrysson
- Ryan Joyce 3-6 Boris Krcmar
- Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Carl Sneyd
- Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Piotr Maciejczak
- Andrew Gilding 6-3 Jeffrey De Graaf
- Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 Miroslaw Grudziecki
- Dave Chisnall 4-6 Daryl Pilgrim
Evening Session Matches (First Round):
- Wessel Nijman v Thomas Lovely
- Daryl Gurney v Dawid Robak
- Damon Heta v Connor Scutt
- Krzysztof Ratajski v Mickey Mansell
- Dirk van Duijvenbode v Adam Gawlas
- Niko Springer v Cristo Reyes
- Joe Cullen v Krzysztof Kciuk
- Mike De Decker v Marvin Kraft
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
