Dutch darts sensation Richard Veenstra kicked off his European Darts Trophy campaign with a dominant 6-3 victory over Germany’s Florian Hempel. Demonstrating sharp finishing and consistent play, Veenstra secured his spot in the second round, where he will face Martin Schindler. This win continues a successful trend for Veenstra against Hempel and highlights a strong start for Dutch players in Göttingen.
Veenstra Dominates Opening Round Against Hempel
The European Darts Trophy in Göttingen saw an exciting first-round clash where Dutch thrower Richard Veenstra faced local hope Florian Hempel. Veenstra, who earned his spot through the Tour Card Holder Qualifier, was looking to replicate his previous success against Hempel, whom he had defeated in a Euro Tour event in 2023. Hempel, participating as a Host Nation Qualifier, aimed to make his mark on home soil.
A Strong Start for ‘Flyers’
Veenstra wasted no time asserting his authority. He began the match with exceptional precision, holding his opening leg (a single game within the match) with a brilliant 106 checkout (finishing a leg with a score of 106). Hempel, by contrast, appeared to struggle early on, missing four crucial darts at a double (the specific segment required to finish a leg), which allowed Veenstra to capitalize and extend his lead to 2-0.
Maintaining his composure, Veenstra held his next leg, pushing the score to 3-0. Hempel finally found his rhythm, delighting the home crowd with a 94 checkout to get his first leg on the board. However, Veenstra quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback, immediately regaining his comfortable lead at 4-1.
Closing Out the Match
As the match progressed, both players managed to hold their own legs without too much difficulty, bringing the score to 5-2 in Veenstra’s favour. The Dutchman stood just one leg away from victory. A moment of high drama unfolded when Veenstra had a chance to seal the match with a spectacular 138 finish on double 9, but he narrowly missed the target.
Despite the missed opportunity, Veenstra remained focused. In the very next leg, he closed out the match convincingly, securing a 6-3 win over Florian Hempel and advancing to the next round.
Match Performance at a Glance:
- Richard Veenstra:
- Average Score per Three Darts: 89.05
- Double Percentage (Success Rate on Finishing Doubles): 42.86%
- Florian Hempel:
- Average Score per Three Darts: 82.70
- Double Percentage: 23.08%
Veenstra’s superior finishing and higher average clearly played a decisive role in his victory, demonstrating a more consistent and clinical performance.
Dutch Success in Göttingen
It was a successful afternoon for the Dutch contingent in Göttingen. Alongside Richard Veenstra’s triumph, compatriots Kevin Doets and Niels Zonneveld also secured their places in the second round, showcasing the strength of Dutch darts on the European Tour.
What’s Next for Veenstra?
Richard Veenstra’s journey at the European Darts Trophy continues on Saturday evening. He is set to face Germany’s Martin Schindler in what promises to be another compelling second-round encounter.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
