"I’m not even sure of the criteria now, no one really knows!": Joe Cullen continues crusade against Grand Slam qualification in Sindelfingen progression

Joe Cullen believes he still has “plenty in the tank” after booking his place in the final day of the European Darts Grand Prix with a solid 6-3 victory over world number three Gian van Veen.

The former European Tour title winner controlled the contest throughout, conceding just a single break of throw, and now sets up a last-16 clash with Krzysztof Ratajski at the European Darts Grand Prix.

Despite the convincing nature of the win, Cullen was quick to stress that he is far from hitting top gear — something he sees as a positive heading into the latter stages speaking to DartsNews. “I’m happy with the win. I’m still plenty in the tank performance-wise, but I did what I had to do tonight, just the same as I did yesterday,” Cullen said to DartsNews. “I didn’t play great yesterday, but I did enough to win the game.”

Having come through his opening matches without overexerting himself, the 2022 Masters champion is feeling well prepared for what lies ahead. “I’ve not overexerted myself as of yet. Sunday is a long day, I’ve won a few of these before, so I’ll be ready.”

Cullen’s run to the final day comes not long after a disappointing outing in Munich, where he labelled his display as one of the worst of his career — a comment he still stands by. “Yeah, maybe so. It was disappointing. I don’t know what it came off the back of, because I’d played some good darts during the week on the Pro Tours, I lost in the final and I was in good form, in a good headspace,” he explained.

“So to put in a performance like that from nowhere is why I probably called it the worst performance.”

Determined to respond, Cullen targeted this event as an opportunity to put things right — and has done just that with wins over tricky opponents.

“Maik's been a tricky opponent for me, Maik Kuivenhoven yesterday, he’s been a tricky opponent for me in the past. I know he didn’t play great yesterday, but in my head he’s a tough opponent,” he said.

“So to get past him, and then to get past somebody of Gian’s quality, is pleasing. My game’s in a good place.”

While results like this underline Cullen’s quality, he admits consistency remains the key focus as he looks to return to his best level.

“Do you know what? I’ve actually been practising a bit this year, it’s as simple as that,” he revealed. “I’ve never been a big practicer, but this year I knew I had to change something because last year didn’t work.”

Despite flashes of brilliance, including ProTour finals and strong runs at major events, Cullen acknowledges that last season fell short of his own standards.

“There were a couple of highlights, but to be at this level and stay there, you need consistency, and I didn’t have that last year. So I’m trying everything I can, putting a lot more work in, to get some level of consistency, because last year wasn’t good enough.”

Encouragingly, he believes progress is already being made.

“I’ve started this year okay. It’s all small steps. I’ve been near the top, I know what it feels like to be there, and I know what it takes to get back.”

As a three-time European Tour winner, Cullen knows exactly how important this circuit can be — both financially and in terms of qualification for major televised events. “The European Tour is huge. Not only financially, the money’s gone up, but it probably gets you a Grand Slam spot. I’m not even sure of the criteria now, no one really knows!” he said.

Beyond prize money, Cullen highlighted the security these events can provide in a packed darts calendar.

“It gives you that bit of security where you can’t relax, but you can rest a little knowing you’ve got that in the bank and that you’re in the TV events, because the money here is so good.”

Having previously thrived on the European Tour, he is eager to rediscover that level of consistency.

“I was a beneficiary of it early in my career, this used to be my bread and butter, making quarter-finals minimum every week. I’ve not been there for a while, but I’m doing positive things to get back there.”