Dobey shines on day two at the German Darts Championship

At the NEO.bet German Darts Championship, reigning champion Ricardo Pietreczko made a successful return in Hildesheim, while Chris Dobey put on an amazing display to set up a last-16 matchup against German number one Martin Schindler.

Dobey defeated Mickey Mansell, who was celebrating his birthday, 6-2 at Halle 39 on Saturday, setting a new record for himself in his pursuit of a maiden European Tour championship with his third-highest average ever.

In an incredible performance, the Bedlington star converted six doubles out of seven tries and produced two 11-darters as he looks to add another ranking victory to his recent Players Championship victory.

“I felt great,” reflected Dobey. “Mickey is hard to play against but he’s a fantastic player so I knew what I had to do and I’m just happy to get that win.

“I’m in some good form – I’ve won the last Players Championship and I’m playing well. I’m happy and if I can keep playing like that it’s going to take someone really good to beat me.”

With a stunning victory over Mensur Suljovic, Schindler secured his spot in the third round on Sunday afternoon. He won five of the last six legs to launch his challenge for a second European Tour championship in 2024.

The 28-year-old took the lead after winning three of the next four rounds after falling down 3-1. Suljovic tied the score with a clinical 128 kill, but Schindler answered with a commanding 167 finish in the penultimate leg to win 6-4.

Pietreczko, the reigning champion, also thrilled the local crowd in Hildesheim by defeating Simon Whitlock 6-3. He started the match with an 11-dart hold that set the tone for a restrained performance.

One of the standout performers on Saturday was Luke Littler, who defeated Ireland’s Dylan Slevin with an average of 101.33 to complete a brutal victory. Littler is aiming for his third European Tour championship of the year.

In his heavyweight second round match against James Wade, Michael van Gerwen easily won 6-2, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead and beginning his campaign for a fourth German Darts Championship championship.

In a thrilling final-leg triumph over Stephen Bunting, Peter Wright maintained his comeback, pinning six of his twelve double tries to overcome the current Masters champion’s 103 average and six maximums.

In addition, Krzysztof Ratajski defeated Gerwyn Price in a deciding-leg match, holding off the Welshman’s late comeback to commemorate his first major victory against him in six years.

first place 2013 German Darts Champion Dave Chisnall easily defeated Dom Taylor 6-3, opening the game with an impressive 160 checkout and securing his advancement with a 95 average.

Joe Cullen, the former Masters champion who ended Max Hopp’s European Tour comeback with a valiant 6-4 victory, will square up against Chisnall for a spot in the final eight.

In the first tie of the day on Saturday, Gian van Veen defeated Robert Owen 6-3 with checkouts of 132 and 117. The Dutchman impressed with an average of 102.65.

In his thrilling 6-4 triumph over Dirk van Duijvenbode, Danny Noppert wired double 12 for a nine-darter. In leg nine, he came within a hair’s breadth of perfection when he broke the tie in their all-Dutch match with a 12-darter before wrapping up victory.

In a thrilling final, Nick Kenny held off Ross Smith’s three missed match darts, allowing the Welshman to go to the last day of a European Tour tournament for the first time.

Smith had a 2-0 lead and then rallied from a 4-2 deficit to take a 5-4 lead, but Kenny pinned the bull in leg ten to force a full-length match. The Welshman then intervened to steal the victory when the previous European Champion missed the bull and two darts at double eight.

After trailing 4-1, Ryan Searle overcame a 158 checkout and a comeback from Jonny Clayton to win 6-4, and Ritchie Edhouse was denied by Damon Heta, who won six straight legs after falling behind 2-0.

Heta’s next opponent is former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, who defeated Ryan Joyce 6-3 despite being too powerful, and Daryl Gurney, who defeated Stephen Burton 6-1 with a vicious 152 checkout.

After the action concludes on Sunday afternoon with the round of 16, the German Darts Championship will culminate in a thrilling evening session with the quarter-finals, semifinals, and final, where the title will be decided in Hildesheim.

Second Round Results

Afternoon Session 

Gian van Veen 6-3 Robert Owen

Andrew Gilding 6-3 Ryan Joyce

Daryl Gurney 6-1 Stephen Burton

Chris Dobey 6-2 Mickey Mansell

Nick Kenny 6-5 Ross Smith

Danny Noppert 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Ryan Searle 6-4 Jonny Clayton

Damon Heta 6-2 Ritchie Edhouse

Evening Session

Dave Chisnall 6-3 Dom Taylor

Joe Cullen 6-4 Max Hopp

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Gerwyn Price

Michael van Gerwen 6-2 James Wade

Martin Schindler 6-4 Mensur Suljovic

Ricardo Pietreczko 6-3 Simon Whitlock

Peter Wright 6-5 Stephen Bunting

Luke Littler 6-0 Dylan Slevin