“He said 'Good start, but the end is rubbish'” – How Michael Smith changed PDC referee Franz Engerer’s much-discussed 180 call

Franz Engerer, a referee for PDC Europe, has been working on the European Tour for several seasons now. His path to the big stage, however, began, remarkably enough, with a simple video. Speaking to Tungsten Tales, the German looks back on his entry into the darts world, the evolution of his now much-discussed 180 call, and his ambitions toward the major televised tournaments.

About three or four years ago, I won a casting organised by PDC Europe and Sport1," says Engerer. The German sports channel organised a search for new presenting talent for darts together with PDC Europe.

The task was as simple as it was nerve-racking: send in a video announcing a 180 and a few other scores. "I had to send in a video of myself calling a 180 and some other specific scores like 140 and 60. I think they selected three of us from all the entries."

Those three were then invited to prove themselves at various exhibitions in Germany. "We did some gala events together and gained experience. Then somehow they asked me to do the European Tour.” That clearly suited both sides. “I did, it went quite well, and now I’m here.”

Remarkably, before his casting Engerer had hardly any experience as an official. “Not that much, actually,” he admits. “I was more of a player, to be honest — but I’m not anymore.” His own level? “Not that good. I averaged between 40 and 50. So nothing special,” he smiles.

Even so, his background as a player proved valuable. "I watched a lot of darts because I love it and I still love it. That’s why I know the paths and the way the game works. I’m pretty good at calculating as well — you need to be, I think.” That arithmetic is essential for a referee at this level, where combinations and checkouts have to be calculated at lightning speed.

Anyone who hears Engerer recognises him instantly. His 180 call has built a reputation in no time. It’s debated on social media, players have opinions, and fans respond in droves. But it didn’t sound like that from the start. “The first 180 I did in the video for the casting wasn’t as sung,” he explains. “It was more like “one hundred and eighty,” quite straight.’”

The change came partly through player feedback. Michael Smith in particular gave him a strikingly honest tip. “He told me 'Good start, but the end is rubbish.'”

Engerer laughed, but took the comment on board. “So I changed the ending, and I think it’s much better now.” His current call is more melodic and more pronounced. Not everyone is a fan, but Engerer stays grounded. “I have some haters as well,” he shrugs. “I think it suits me and I want to keep doing it like that. It’s fine.”

Not every player is enthusiastic. Nathan Aspinall once admitted he wasn’t a big fan of Engerer’s specific 180 call. “At first it was a bit weird hearing that,” the German concedes. “But I’m pretty good with Nathan — he didn’t mean anything bad by it.”

He also puts the criticism in perspective. “I think he’s the only player who’s said that about my 180 call. I won’t change it anymore. He has to live with it.”

Although the Euro Tour is currently his regular workplace, Engerer is cautiously looking ahead. Does he dream of the big TV tournaments? “I wouldn’t say no, of course,” he smiles. “But one step at a time.”

A logical first target, he says, is the season finale in Dortmund: the European Championship. “That would be perfect.” And beyond that? A sparkle appears in his eyes. “of course, a dream of mine is refereeing at the World Championship."

That doesn’t mean he’s expecting a quick move to the British PDC circuit. When referee George Noble announced his retirement, there was speculation about a successor.

“Not really,” says Engerer when asked whether he hoped for events in the United Kingdom. “it’s separate. I work for PDC Europe, not the PDC UK. It’s quite different.” He also knew for months who would replace Noble. “I already knew a few months ago that Owen would replace George, so that was completely fine for me."

Alongside his work for PDC Europe, Engerer is also studying in Germany. “My main focus right now is studying in Germany. I need to finish that first, and then I can do even more for PDC Europe.” His field of study? Economics. Does that help with the quick mental arithmetic on stage? “Not really, to be honest,” he laughs.

Even so, he sees his future clearly in darts. When asked whether, in the long term, he would rather remain a referee than become an economist, his answer is unequivocal: “Yes, for sure. I want to do this for my life.”