Portela on choosing UK Q-School instead of European: "Because of all the restrictions, I didn't want to mess around"

Diogo Portela will be part of the line-up for Stage 1B which starts on Thursday in Milton Keynes and ahead of proceedings, 'Brazilliant' caught up with Edgar TV.

Portela discussed how he realised that he is not an online player and that he doesn't adapt well to what has become a new normal during lockdown.

"After the World's, I settled with the darts, I settled with the equipment. I know that when it comes to it, I am better than how I'm playing online. I have been losing games after games online and when it comes to Challenge Tour or even the World's, I manage to perform well so I just realise I'm not an online dart player," said Portela on Edgar TV.

One factor for Portela is that he can go to European Q-School as well due to of course being Brazilian but can also attend UK due to living in the country.

He went to EU Q-School, the first year it was on and Portela admitted it was on the cards again this year.

"When they opened the EU (Q-School), I went there to see what it is. The year before I went to the EU, I missed out by one game. I lost 5-4 to Paul Rowley and I missed one dart at double. I was thinking first time over in Germany, there won't be as many players as in the UK."

"Things will be smooth. You play your first game and then you have to wait like three hours to play your second game so I was thinking of that when I played EU."

"This year I thought about going to Europe again but because of all the restrictions, I didn't want to mess around. It's a venue that I know, I've played many tournaments here so nothing to worry about."

"I've been asking people who have been playing the first three days so I can build my preparation. I'm not going to get early to the venue and keep practicing for two or three hours, I think it's too much energy spent for now reasons."