European Championship: European Darts Championship in Salzburg: Clemens German hope-bearers – home
Played among the top 25 in the world
In 2018, Hopp moved into the EM semifinals and failed there in a dramatic way. Since then, more and more Clemens has trumpeted and – bypassed Hopp – played among the best 25 in the world. Its development is constant, but so far it has not made any big leaps. “My goal was to establish myself in the top 32. I succeeded,” said Clemens, whose highlight last year was a World Cup victory over the then defending champion Peter Wright. But you don’t ask big sayings about it either.
A lot has shifted behind Clemens, who will also be Germany’s greatest hope at the World Cup in London in December after the European Championship. Long-time hopeful Hopp did not qualify for the EM. He had a difficult year and has to fear a World Cup end. “Max is currently down a little, but I’m sure that he will come back,” said Clemens of his partner at the Team World Cup when they made it to the quarter-finals.
EM debut for Hempel
Instead, Florian Hempel WILL celebrate his EM debut on Thursday (10.30 p.m.) and play directly against the bird of paradise Wright, who is after all the defending champion. “On paper Wright is of course a huge favorite. Nobody expects a victory from me,” said Hempel to the specialist portal “Checkout – The Darts Podcast”. However, the 31-year-old has certain long-term ambitions, as he emphasized before the biggest match of his career to date. “I don’t want to remain the underdog forever. I want to work my way up the world rankings and be the favorite in a game more often.”
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