''I know I can beat the best in the world" - Ricardo Pietreczko hopes stunning German Darts Championship victory is just the start of his success

Ricardo Pietreczko provided the perfect end to the Euro Tour season by taking the overall victory at the German Darts Championship on Sunday night. With this, he became the second German winner of a Euro Tour tournament ever, after Max Hop preceded him in 2018.

Pietreczko had started the tournament on Friday with a 6-4 victory over Mickey Mansell and then impressed by beating compatriot Martin Schindler (6-2) with an average of 107. He then also defeated George Killington (6-2) and Stephen Bunting (6-4) for a spot in the semifinals. A showdown with defending champion Michael van Gerwen awaited in the semifinals. Pietreczko took advantage of a shaky match from the Dutchman and struck mercilessly in the deciding leg with a 10-darter to reach his first ranking final.

In the final, Pietreczko again faced a former world champion. Peter Wright was the opponent in the battle for final victory in Hildesheim. Pietreczko quickly gained a 4-0 lead and eventually won 8-4 from 'Snakebite'.

Pietreczko, who rose to 53rd in the world rankings as a result of his Euro Tour title, was almost speechless afterwards about his remarkable performance. ''I have no words for this!" Pietreczko said in disbelief post-match. "I've often dreamed of standing on that stage winning a title but to see it actually coming true is unbelievable."

What was special about Pietreczko's final was that in the most important match of his career, he did not miss a single arrow on the double. "I didn't realise that I didn't miss a dart at a double [in the final], I was just so happy in the moment to have hit them,'' Pietreczko said about that stat. "It was incredible to play in Hildesheim, I absolutely love it here."

The German may compete more often on the big stage with the best darters in the world in the coming weeks. He will be in action at the European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals and the World Darts Championship.

''I know I can beat the best in the world and I try my very best to beat the best in the world. I'm over the moon, very happy to be in the Grand Slam."