Humphries Hunts 6th Euro Tour
Recent World Grand Prix champion Luke Humphries will be amongst those competing in the 2023 German Darts Championship this weekend in Hildesheim, with this being the final European Tour Event of the year.
Cool Hand Luke included a 9-dart finish and 2 170s whilst playing through a suspected back spasm at the last Euro Tour, losing a last leg decider in the Final against Dave Chisnall at the Hungarian Darts Trophy.
The World Number 4 included the big fish in his recent Boylesports World Grand Prix 5-2 Final victory over Gerwyn Price in the Final, and is eying further success on the European Tour, a circuit where he has 5 titles to his name.
“Just because I’ve won a major title, it doesn’t take that hunger away from me for still wanting to win European Tour titles, obviously I’ve got a bit of confidence now so maybe it might help me. If I win, I can go to the Number 1 seed for the European Championship and I always want to be as high as I physically can, and if there is a chance, I can be Number 1 I will go for it.â€_x009d_
“Nothing less than a win this weekend would be a good result for me because like I said, I want to be Number 1 in everything. As much as that is not always possible, I try my damnedest to make sure I can allow myself the best opportunity to do it.â€_x009d_
“We’re off to Hildesheim, I’m looking forward to it and I’m looking forward to being announced as the World Grand Prix Champion as well.â€_x009d_
Humphries will open his German Darts Championship campaign this weekend as the Number 3 Seed in the Last 32, against either Croatian international Boris Krcmar or recent Players Championship 24 Runner Up Ryan Joyce.
Michael van Gerwen comes in as the defending champion for the final Euro Tour event of the year, having beat Rob Cross 8-5 in the 2022 Final. Mighty Mike is in strong form despite a Second-Round exit in the World Grand Prix, having won the recent World Series of Darts Finals in his home capital: Amsterdam, hoping to build on that this weekend in Germany.
The World Number 2 will face either Irishman Steve Lennon or German international Marcus Kirchman on Saturday at Halle 39.
An all Winmau matchup will occur in the First Round on Friday as Vincent van der Voort makes his European Tour comeback against Daryl Gurney, who has only missed 2 Euro Tour’s in 2023. The pair will face off in the evening session, with both looking to set up a tie with European Championship winner Ross Smith in the Last 32.
Scott Waites returns to European Tour action after defeating Madars Razma 6-4 in the First Round at the Hungarian Darts Trophy (ET12) last month. Scotty 2 Hotty is once more amongst the opening day action in Hildesheim, this time against compatriot George Killington in the third match of the afternoon session.
Florian Hempel who reached the 3rd Round of the German Darts Open will open his campaign against former World Youth Champion Arron Monk, with the winner to face recent World Grand Prix Semi Finalist Joe Cullen in the Last 32.
Mad Monk recently beat his German opponent at Players Championship 23 in Barnsley, but the former PDC Super League winner will have home advantage on Friday evening.
Development Tour Number 1 Gian van Veen was narrowly close in qualifying for the World Grand Prix but will hope to continue his strong 2023 form, with another good run this time at the German Darts Championship.
The Red Dragon player opens Friday’s evening session against English international James Wilson at Halle 39.
For the likes of, Peter Wright, Jonny Clayton, and Danny Noppert they will enter the final Euro Tour of the year on Saturday, with Snakebite facing the winner of Chris Dobey and Lee Evans in the Last 32.
The action starts on PDC TV and Viaplay Tv from midday on Friday with Boris Krcmar facing Ryan Joyce in the opening match, for the right to face the 2023 World Grand Prix Champion Luke Humphries.
By Harry Masterson
2023 German Darts Championship: Friday Order of Play:
Afternoon Session:
Boris Krcmar v Ryan Joyce
Martin Lukeman v Madars Razma
Scott Waites v George Killington
Steve Lennon v Marcus Kirchmann
Karel Sedlacek v Alan Soutar
Dylan Slevin v Nico Kurz
Jeff Smith v Darryl Pilgrim
Patrick Kovacs v Jules van Dongen
Evening Session:
James Wilson v Gian van Veen
Florian Hempel v Arron Monk
Jelle Klaasen v James Wade
Vincent van der Voort v Daryl Gurney
Ricardo Pietreczko v Micky Mansell
Gabriel Clemens v Danny Jansen
Chris Dobey v Lee Evans
Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf