Ricardo Pietreczko sends Hildesheim crowd into hysteria, dumps out Michael van Gerwen as Peter Wright awaits in final
PDC
Max Hopp famously was the last home hope to win a European Tour title, but could rising German star Ricardo Pietreczko become only the second at the German Darts Championship in Hildesheim.
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It was almost written in the stars for 'Pikachu' who sent the home crowd into hysteria with an incredible conclusion to his clash with Michael van Gerwen to reach the final where he will play Peter Wright.
Van Gerwen has rode his luck throughout this weekend, but it ran out against Pietreczko who could've won even easier. After becoming 2-2, he ran out into a 4-2 lead including an 11-darter and with Van Gerwen missing a chance to go one behind, he went two away at 5-3.
After more missed darts, he went one away at 6-3. But Pietreczko began to falter and Van Gerwen picked up the pieces to send it all the way.
When it looked like MVG was going to get away with it again, his opponent had the answer with an incredible 10-darter finished first time on double 18 to send the crowd into raptures.
It won't be the latest major winner in the final either with Peter Wright producing a superb display to down Luke Humphries 7-5.
Humphries continues his ton plus streak, but Wright who ironically has been using Michael van Gerwen darts has shown flashes of getting back towards his best.
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He averaged just a shade over at 101.59 in victory. He hit six 180's and despite Humphries hitting 5/6 on the doubles, Wright made his early lead count and took his chances.
He went 3-0 ahead only for Humphries to hit an 11-darter and then a 135 on the bull for 3-2. All of his bull shots were smack bang in the middle including an 84 for 4-3.
An 11-darter for Wright though back-to-back to make it 6-3 including going six into a perfect leg proved the tonic. Humphries came back, but Wright fell over the finishing line when it counted hitting a 116 checkout for a 12-darter. Who now prevails in the final?
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Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
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