"I was out of the tournament! But I'm alive" - Florian Hempel pulls off incredible comeback to dump out Dimitri Van den Bergh
PDCSaturday, 23 December 2023 at 10:30
Florian Hempel pulled off a shock at the World Darts Championship. In the second round, he defeated 15th-seed, Dimitri Van Den Bergh 3-2, despite having trailed 2-0.
Hempel thus neatly repeated his feat of two years ago at the World Championship. "It's an amazing feeling," he reflected in his post match press conference. "I was out of the tournament! But I'm alive. The 151 was a big turning point for me so I'm just happy."
"After going 2-0 up in the first set I lost everything in my body, I just couldn't feel the dart but thankfully I got it back," he continues. "I won the game, had back to back 10-darters so in the end I'm happy with the game but I have to analyse what happened in the first two sets."
Not only does this win keep Hempel's World Darts Championship hopes alive, but also ensures the keeps his Tour Card and retains his professional status. "I didn't know that after the game to be honest. But I'm really happy, another year on the tour and no Q-School in January. Maybe a week in the sun?" Hempel laughs.
The 33-year-old German will take on the winner of the duel between Stephen Bunting and Ryan Joyce in the third round.
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- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024