Meaning behind Florian Hempel's World Darts Championship shirt: "I want to highlight my adopted home town"

Steve Lennon managed to win his first round match against Owen Bates 3-2 in sets on Wednesday. For Florian Hempel, this means that he is still in danger of losing his Tour Card, as the Irishman has moved ahead of him in the Live Order of Merit as a result of this victory.

Hempel played his opening match last Sunday, where he triumphed 3-1 over Dylan Slevin and was able to present his new shirt. The motto "Cologne Carnival" cannot be overlooked. The majority of the shirt is decorated with confetti and the motto of the Cologne Carnival 2024 "Wat a Theater - wat a Jeckespill" can be read on the sleeves.

This design was created by Hempel in collaboration with Markus Berling from the company "Merch'n'Darts" and has been very well received by the members of the Cologne Carnival Committee. "Of course I'm delighted that the jersey has been well received by the festival committee. Last year, I thought about bringing out a carnival edition of my jersey. I want to highlight my adopted home town," Hempel told EXPRESS. "Every year, I pick up on the motto of the carnival sessions and it's an honor for me to do that."

Although Hempel was born in Dessau, he feels closely connected to Cologne. "For me as a Cologne resident by choice, it is an absolute honor to be able to carry my identification with my adopted home into the world. Whether it's the cathedral on my chest or Cologne music and, of course, the carnival."

"I feel a special need to carry this out into the world and show it. I just want to give something back to Cologne and the people who give me so much," the German concluded.

Hempel will make another appearance at the World Darts Championship on Friday, December 22. Here he will play against Dimitri Van den Bergh. The match will open the evening session on that day.