Michael van Gerwen reaches semifinals in Hildesheim after scare, set to face another German in Pietreczko

Michael van Gerwen again struggled to advance a round at the German Darts Championship on Sunday night. In the quarterfinals, 'Mighty Mike' needed a decisive leg against Gabriel Clemens.

Van Gerwen already crawled through on Sunday afternoon against Joe Cullen. He edged through 6-5 against 'The Rockstar'. Against Clemens in the quarterfinals, Van Gerwen again did not play well.

The three-time world champion was broken in the seventh leg after failing to capitalize on three darts on double 13. Clemens then failed to make it 5-3 in turn by missing an arrow on tops and three misses on double 10. Van Gerwen then hit tops to make it 4-4. A 106 finish brought Van Gerwen to 5-4, but Clemens equalized with a 17-darter. In the deciding leg Clemens had one matchdart, but his chance at double 20 went array. Then it was Van Gerwen who managed to hit the double 6 for a spot in the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Van Gerwen will again face a German player at the Euro Tour tournament in Hildesheim. Ricardo Pietreczko was able to win 6-4 against Stephen Bunting after being 1-4 down and will now have the chance to do what Clemens couldn't against Van Gerwen and that will be to also seal a spot in a maiden European Tour final