Darts World Cup: The Germans are only statists again

The famous conclusion of a large dart in the mighty Alexandra Palace left a bit of bitter realization in the German times. After World Champion Berwyn Price from Wales and his Belgian opponent Kim Huybrechts delivered a gripping showdown at 4: 3, the changeless German number one Gabriel Clemens remained at the 0: 4 against the outstanding title candidate Jonny Clayton from Wales only a static role.

It was a small symbol for the continuing breakthrough in the direction of absolute world top. In the game I really could not do much. Now it's home and then is good again, commented Clemens all of Sal opp at DAZN. Previously, debutant Florian Hempen had failed significantly with 1: 4 to Raymond Smith from Australia. Already a day after the very short Christmas break, the World Cup tournament in London is over for the German representatives. Instead of the next big appearance, return journey and only 14 days quarantine in the home.

The German pattern: First surprise, then disappointment

One year after the surprising eighth-finish entry through Clemens, who then defeated the Scottish Champion Peter Wright, keeps waiting for the great success. Of course, I was changeless. It was really damn difficult, said Clemens at Sport1. The 38-year-old Saar lander has established itself among the best 32 players in the world, but significant titles remain so far. He often remained under his possibilities for the major tournaments. So it's time to prepare, hire back, qualify next year and be there again.

While Clemens lost a shiny atmosphere, Hempen against Australia's outsider Smith left a huge chance of his first World Cup knockout final. It is a well-known pattern with German Darts professionals: At first, a victory is succeeded in a world-class player, followed by a disappointment.

I failed to myself.

Florian Hempen

So it was at Kevin Munch at the 2018 World Cup, which first defeated Ex-Champ Adrian Lewis and then lost against the unknown Spaniard Toni Alias. So it was with Clemens a year ago, when the coup against Wright followed the defeat against Krzysztof Ratajkowski from Poland. And so it was now at Hempen, who had defeated Belgium's Star Player Dimitri van the Beef a week ago with 3: 1.

According to self-critical, Hempen, which formerly handball goalkeeper was in the second league. I've failed to myself. The chances were there. I know what I can play, said the 31-year-old Cologne. What I've shown today is not even batch wise what I want to show. For Hempen, the first profit year at the World Association PDC is still a success, it is one of the German winners of the year 2021.

Hope threatens the preliminary low point

It is always German courier, but too often important duels are lost at large tournaments. Max Hop preached the semi-final at the EM in 2018, in 2020, Hope and Clemens then managed as a duo at the Team World Championships into the final part. At the World Cup in London — the most important and best-doped tournament of the year — there was still no German quarter-finalist and in Clemens only a secondary finalist.

The weakening Hope, the long time of Germany's number one, now even threatens a very bitter setback at the end of the year. Win Hempen Deficit Smith also his second round, the 25-year-old Hesse loses its so-called Tour Card, which is entitled to participate in many PDC tournaments. Almost ten years after his World Cup debut as a teenager, this would be a preliminary low for the self-confident Hope.