27/02/2018

Darius Labanauskas impresses in Nordic & Baltic European Tour qualifiers

Darius Labanauskas appeared in two finals as three more Nordic & Baltic European Tour qualifiers were confirmed.

The Lithuanian ace was victorious at the European Tour 4 qualifier in Vilnius. After overcoming Henrik Primdal, Madars Razma and Per Laursen, he defeated Tatu Pehkonen 6-1 in the semi-finals. The former Lakeside quarter-finalist came out on top in the final, defeating Kim Viljanen 6-5. He will make his European Tour bow at the Austrian Darts Open in Vienna, joining Hungarian debutant Tamas Alexits.
Razma bounced back from a 6-0 demolition job by the Lithuanian to gain revenge in the European Tour 5 qualifying final. The Latvian recorded successive whitewashes over Roland Lenngren and Mauri Tuutijarvi to reach the final. There, he edged past the former Lakeside quarter-finalist 6-5. It is his second European Tour qualifying victory this year, and his third in total. He will appear at the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen. Despite a reverse of fortunes on day two, it was another solid outing for Labanauskas, who has reached at least the quarter-finals in every 2018 qualifier so far. He also won both of the PDCNB Pro Tour events during a stellar weekend.
Johan Engstrom was the third successful Nordic & Baltic competitor. The Swede saw off the previous two qualifying winners in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Marko Kantele stood in his way in the final. But the 2018 World Championship participant was no match for the Swede, who prevailed 6-4. Engstrom reaches his first European Tour event, a month after losing in the ET2 qualifying final. He will join some of the game's top names at the Dutch Darts Masters in Zwolle.