Krzysztof Ratajski secured safe progress into the second round of the European Championship on Friday night with a 6-3 victory over Joe Cullen.
"It was very difficult match. Joe played a really good match, his average was very good, treble 20's very often," the 'Polish Eagle' recapped in his post-match press conference. "But I had a good doubles and good moments so that is why I won this match."
Despite speaking rather modestly there, Ratajski hit a few treble 20's himself during the match. In just the second leg of the game, Ratajski came close to striking perfection, narrowly missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish. "Double 12 was miles away from the target. I was much too nervous in this moment," he admits. "I should have waited a little and then thrown this try to find the double 12 but I didn't."
"It was my first win! It's hard to believe but it was my first win at the European Championships," Ratajski concludes. "So now I've won the first one, hopefully I will win another."
RATAJSKI WINS! 🇵🇱
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 27, 2023
At the sixth time of asking, Krzysztof Ratajski is finally a winner at the European Championship!
Poland's number one holds his nerve to close out a 6-3 success against Joe Cullen!#ECDarts | R1
📺 https://t.co/krogNobpfQ pic.twitter.com/dL47ZacHOS