"Not satisfied, but happy" - Florian Hempel not pleased with missing Grand Slam qualification as World's awaits

The Grand Slam of Darts begins on Saturday in Wolverhampton. Florian Hempel will not be there. This has been clear for the young man from Cologne since he lost 0-5 to James Wade in the last 32 of the Grand Slam of Darts Tour Card Holder Qualifier, which was played on November 1.

Hempel had done well in the first two rounds of the Qualifier. Thanks to an average of 103.05, he beat Owen Roelofs 5-1 in the first round and in the round of the last 64, the Dessau native outclassed Benjamin Reus 5-2.

On the way back from this qualifier, Hempel left a voice message for Elmar Paulke, which "The German Voice of Darts" played in his podcast "Game On".

"It didn't go well in the qualifier," Hempel summarized. "I ran out of steam against James Wade. I had no more trebles at all. Wire, under, wire, over - many people know the problem. It's just the way it is when you only hit your first good scoring shots in the third or fourth leg. You can't keep up, especially when James hits 103 (the average; editor's note) into the board at the end. He simply did a good job and deserved to win."

"Not the perfect haul at the end of the year, but I'll take two thirds and I'm not happy with that, but I'm happy," he continued, referring to the fact that he is qualified for both the World Darts Championship and the Players Championship Finals, making his debut at the Players Championship Finals this year.

"I'm taking part and it's already clear this early in the year that I can be there (at the World Darts Championship). That's rather unusual for me - at least in the last two years. I could get used to it. Even if it's a different kind of euphoria than doing it in the qualifying tournament. Drawing the ticket at the last moment like that has a different emotional meaning," the Cologne resident pointed out, recalling that his participation in the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship was only decided at the proverbial last second in the Tour Card Holder Qualifier. "But it's much more relaxed this way and won't cost me so many years of my life," he joked.

It was clear after the last two Players Championship tournaments of the current season that Hempel would be competing in both the World Darts Championship and the Players Championship Finals. "Thank God I was able to win the first two matches in the 29th tournament on Wednesday. I could perhaps have won the third. Luck wasn't on my side in the doubles, but that will come again."

"I also won the first game on the second day and then it was clear to me that that had to be enough. Half an hour later, it was confirmed."

"I'm delighted to be back at the Ally Pally. I'm delighted to be taking part in the Players Championship Finals for the first time," said the Dessau native, revealing his emotions.

As Hempel finished the Players Championship Order of Merit in 55th place and the first round matches at the Players Championship Finals are arranged so that first place in the Players Championship Order of Merit faces 64th place, second place 63rd and so on, Hempel will play 10th seeded Welshman Jonny Clayton. The young man from Cologne knows that he will not have an easy opponent in The Ferret. "Not an easy draw," he commented on the draw.

"We know what Jonny Clayton can do, but of course I'll do everything I can to prepare myself as best I can to perhaps annoy him a little. I would still like to be there on Saturday (in the next round, editor's note)."

"Now it's time for preparation, exhibitions, tournaments, training, training, training...."