The German Darts hope Niko Springer brings world champion Luke Littler to the brink of defeat and in the end loses scarce. Most of the Germans are in good shape in the Players Championship.
That was just fine for Luke Littler! Against Niko Springer, “The Nuke” had to go over the full distance in the first round of the Players Championship 5 and prevailed in a strong match with 6: 5 in the legs against the “Meenzer Bub”.
The world champion came back after the interim residues of 0: 3 and 3: 4 and presented himself nervously in the crucial leg on the doubles. With 102.02 points on average, the English Average was even below that of Springer (105.25), but he was able to conquer the German at the end.
Niko Springer failed narrowly to Luke Littler
Both players showed a great performance, until the last leg, neither of them needed more than 15 darts to secure one.
Cross – Clemens is afraid of being disappointed
From a German perspective, there were also joyful news in Leicester. Dominik Greissche, who was able to defeat Premier League participant Rob Cross 6: 4, provided the biggest surprise. Lukas Little prevailed against the Czech Karel Sedlaczek (6: 4).
German number 1, Martin Schindler, also achieved the Top 64 through a 6: 5 success against the Swedes Viktor Tingström. Max Hopp, who prevailed 6-2 against the Englishman Brett Claydon, is also one round. Michael van Gerwen is now waiting for the “Maximiser”.
Disappointing, however, it went for Gabriel Clemens. The “German Giant” had to delete the sail early on after a 1: 6 against Belgian Mario Vandenbogaerde. For him, it was the fourth opening defeat for the previous five exhibitions of the Players Championship.
With the same result, Germany’s number two, Ricardo Pietreczko, who played 82 points against the Irish Keane Berry Berry Berry. Maximilian Czerwinski (5: 6 against Berry van Peer) and Kai Gotthardt (5: 6 against Andrew Gilding) are also eliminated.
Anderson and Littler throw 9 -darter – Wright already out
While Peter Wright was already in the opening match for a big name, things went better for another star. Gary Anderson “only“ won 6: 5 against Ryan Joyce. However, he achieved a 9-darter at the stand of 4: 5. As a result, he made the victory in the decision -making leg.
The “Flying Scotman” did not remain the only one who managed the perfect leg. World champion Luke Littler also threw a 9-darter in the second round.