BACK IN THE DAY WITH: Max Hopp, the first German ever to take a PDC stage title

For years, Max Hopp was considered the great promise of German darts. At the age of just 16, he made his debut at the World Darts Championship in 2013. In total, the tally stands at eight World Championship appearances, although the last one dates back to 2021.

It's now been some time since 'The Maximiser' last held a PDC Tour Card however. His last stage match dates back to 2022, when he competed in the German Darts Grand Prix. That tournament counts as one of the European Tour tournaments, a circuit that Hopp achieved the biggest success of his career on back in 2018 winning the German Darts Open.

Hopp had started that tournament with a 6-1 victory over Zoran Lerchbacher in his opening match. He then faced Peter Wright, who was defeated 6-4 in front of the German crowd. Hopp then secured a spot in the last eight by defeating Benito van de Pas (6-4) in the third round. Joe Cullen was next. With a 6-4 victory over 'The Rockstar', Hopp advanced to the last four. A clash with Rob Cross, the reigning world champion at the time, awaited. After a wildly exciting match, Hopp prevailed 7-6 to set up a showdown with Michael Smith in the final.

'Bullyboy' gained considerable distance over his German opponent in the early stages of the final. An 18-darter put the first leg on the scoreboard. In the second leg, it was already clear that 'The Maximiser' was no match for Smith's strong scores. The Englishman was already on a finish after nine darts. Hopp came even closer, but Smith made it 2-0 with a 14-darter. It was then 3-0 in favour of the darter from St Helens after a 16-darter in the third leg.

After that, Smith began to grow into the match. Hopp opened the fourth leg with a 180 score. Smith countered this score by also throwing a 180 himself, but Hopp continued to throw good scores and managed to reduce the deficit to 3-1 with a 13-darter. This, by the way, to the delight of the German crowd, who did everything they could to shout their hero to victory.

With scores of 134 and 180, Hopp then took a wide lead in the fifth leg. Smith did not open the fifth leg well, allowing Hopp to calmly work towards a finish. That went all wrong, however, as the German left five chances at 2-3 unused. Smith, meanwhile, had moved closer and was on 90. This finish went out in three arrows, extending Smith's lead to 4-1.

The next two legs went with the darts, making the score 5-2 in Smith's favor after seven legs. 'Bullyboy' threw a 180 in the second turn of leg eight, but it was Hopp who managed to bring the deficit back to 3-5 with a 64 finish. Smith then also held his own leg and made it 6-3 with a 17-darter.

However, Smith then missed three chances to make it 7-3. Hopp took advantage and hit the double 8 to come back to 4-6. The "Allez Hopp" from the crowd got louder and louder. It seemed as if these cheers had awakened Hopp and unleashed a new fighting spirit inside.

He started Smith's leg with a 140 score and moments later threw a 180 in his third turn. A 90 finish followed, reducing the deficit to 5-6 with an 11-darter. Then 64 was thrown out by the German darter, making the score completely even after 12 legs.

After Smith failed to check 70 out in the 13th leg, an excellent opportunity lay ahead for Hopp to immediately take over the lead from his English opponent. 'The Maximiser' was on 170 and started his fifth turn with two arrows in the treble 20. Hopp stepped back, tried to focus and aim for the double, but the bullseye was missed. Shaking his head, Hopp removed his darts from the board before Smith managed to make it 7-6 with a 16-darter.

Hopp then kept himself in the match by forcing a deciding leg with a 15-darter. Smith opened the final leg with a 180, but followed with a 60 score in his second turn. Hopp responded with scores of 100 and 140, bringing both players to 261 after two visits. Smith then left 161, while Hopp managed to get to 121 with a 140 score. Smith could not throw out 161 and put away at 64, giving Hopp a chance at the title from 121. Via treble 20, single 11 and the bullseye, he brought the German crowd to ecstasy.

Nowadays, Hopp is no longer the only German player to have won a Euro Tour tournament. Ricardo Pietreczko followed in his compatriot's footsteps by winning the German Darts Championship in October 2023. The pair were then quickly joined by Martin Schindler, who proved the strongest at the International Darts Open in April 2024.

Hopp himself will also be back on the European Tour in 2024. Through the Host Nation Qualifier he qualified for the German Darts Championship 2024, which is scheduled from August 30 to September 1.