Tag: Mike De Dekker

De Dekker Aims To Repeat Home Tour Efforts!

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MIKE DE DECKER reached the semi-finals of the new Home Tour last week and was able to beat two world champions on the way there, but the Belgian would rather add some ranking points to his current tally.

Chatting with Darts World reader, and contributor, Elias Wilhelm, the multiple Development Tour winner was keen to reassure his many fans that he is in good health and is not suffering too badly during these Covid-19 hit times.

Mike stated that he was “proud and happy to have reached the semi-finals” of the Low6 sponsored event, but that this was not so important to him. He would prefer to reach a few semi-finals on the Pro Tour when it starts again.

The Belgian was able to earn a Tour Card for the first time in 2015 with the Development
Tour, but lost it after two years. Then, earlier this year, ‘The Real Deal’ reclaimed his place in the PDC elite via the Q-School.

During the early part of 2020 he often played very well, with mixed results, but he still thinks that he deserved more.

“I’m happy with how I played, not with the results I got. With
the way I played at the beginning of the year, I deserved more.”

In order to improve his results, he is preparing himself, in the best way possible, to attack fully
when the season starts again.

The former Belgian national champion has changed his overall approach recently. He no longer sets himself precise goals for this year, but instead has more general aims but plans to give his best and looks towards what is coming up.

De Dekker stated:

“I had a main goal this year and that was to qualify for the worlds. Well, with everything that happened in the last few months,

I’m just gonna let it come to me. I’ll do my best, as I always do, but I’ll not look towards the end of the year.”

In order to stay ‘match sharp’ De Dekker has been playing quite a bit of virtual darts and seems to be well prepared for a restart, to the PDC Pro Tour, even at short notice.

De Dekker at the UK Open (L Lustig/PDC).

“I play various online tournaments and I try to practice online with other players. It’s good to
still have some competitive games running.”

The 25-year-old understands the difficulties faced by the professional organisations and does not want to criticize anything about the decisions that the PDC has to make at the moment.

“I’m a player. It is not my job to criticize them on things they know best.

De Dekker’s fluent style, and his floor event experience, indicate that he has his doubts about applying the ‘traffic light’ model that we have recently seen at the Super League event in Germany.

He added:

“I could play as they do in Germany. I don’t mind waiting to throw until the opponent is off the oche.

I just don’t think this is really suitable for the Pro Tour. “

Mike will be aiming for Pro Tour semi-finals and more major qualifications to show that he is, truly, ‘The Real Deal‘.

Mike was chatting with our reader/contributor Elias Wilhelm (@ewhh27)

Home Tour Semis Underway!

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Jonny Clayton completed the semi-finals line-up of the Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs by winning Group Eight last night.

World number 15 Clayton maintained his unbeaten record on the Home Tour, claiming a hat-trick of victories to book his place in Thursday’s second night of semi-finals action.

The Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs continue with the first night of semi-finals tonight, featuring Gary Anderson, Dave Chisnall, Jelle Klaasen and Mike De Decker.

You can catch all of the Low6 Play-Off action live for free on PDCTV from 1930 BST
WATCH FREE FROM 1930 BST

Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs: Group One Details Confirmed.

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The fixtures for Group One of the Low6 Home Tour Semi-Finals have been confirmed ahead of Wednesday’s event.

Gary Anderson and Peter Wright will lead Wednesdays action.

The innovative home-broadcast event reaches its conclusion this week, with the Last 32’s challenge to take the title culminating in the Championship Group on Friday.

The players who won through from Groups One-Four in the Last 32 will compete in Group One of the Semi-Finals, with two-time World Champion Gary Anderson headlining Wednesday’s action.

Dave Chisnall, the winner of 15 PDC ranked events, is joined by former Lakeside Champion Jelle Klaasen and Belgian prospect Mike De Decker, a four-time PDC Unicorn Development Tour event winner, in bidding to claim the two places in Friday’s Championship Group.

The round-robin action remains the best of 11 legs for the semi-finals, with Anderson’s tie with De Decker opening proceedings from 1930 BST ahead of the meeting between Chisnall and Klaasen.

All Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs action will be broadcast live on PDCTV for FREE to ALLregistered PDCTV users, regardless of membership type.

Registered PDCTV members can also watch for FREE through the official PDC App.

Fans in Great Britain and Ireland can also watch the action through the Sky Sports app.

As well as being shown through a series of bookmakers’ websites, the Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs will be broadcast live by a number of the PDC’s international broadcast partners.

Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs
Last Eight Group One
Wednesday June 3 (1930 BST)
Gary Anderson v Mike De Decker
Dave Chisnall v Jelle Klaasen
Mike De Decker v Jelle Klaasen
Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall
Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker
Jelle Klaasen v Gary Anderson
* Top two players qualify for Championship Group

The fixtures for Group Two of the Low6 Home Tour Semi-Finals will be confirmed following Tuesday’s Last 32 Group Eight.

Pic: Taylor Lanning.

Home Tour: De Decker Claims Play-Off Group As Bunting Fades.

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Mike De Decker became the second player through to the Semi-Finals of the Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs, as he topped the table ahead of Glen Durrant, Stephen Bunting and Alan Tabern on Night Two. 

Bunting started his play offs strongly but a heavy defeat, in his final game, allowed De Dekker to claim the group.


The young Belgian started the night off with a narrow 6-5 defeat to Bunting, but then got his first win on the board with the victory by the same scoreline against Tabern, recovering brilliantly from 5-2 down. 

Going into the fifth game of the night, he needed a convincing win to put pressure on the top of the table and did exactly that by beating three-time BDO Champion Durrant 6-4, but was still left waiting on the final result of the night to go his way. 

And go his way it did, as Bunting, who was searching for a third straight win to top the group, started to struggle on his scoring and let Tabern run away as a 6-2 winner. 

The heavy defeat for Bunting meant he finished in second, two behind De Decker on leg difference. The 24-year-old joins Jelle Klaasen in the Semi-Finals.

The Low6 Home Tour continues tomorrow with two-time World Champion Gary Anderson in action. All the action can be watched live and free through PDCTV for registered users (new users can sign up for FREE here), as well as through bookmakers’ websites and international broadcasters.

Registered PDCTV members can also watch for FREE through the official PDC App.

Low6 Home Tour Play-Offs
Group Two – Wednesday May 27 (1930 BST)
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Mike De Decker
Glen Durrant 6-3 Alan Tabern
Mike De Decker 6-5 Alan Tabern
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Glen Durrant
Glen Durrant 4-6 Mike De Decker
Alan Tabern 6-2 Stephen Bunting

Fans in the UK & Ireland can watch through the Sky Sports App.

Bunting “Scared” of Return to Big Stage. Bullet Vulnerable Due to Diabetes.

Posted on | by Phil Lanning | Leave a Comment on Bunting “Scared” of Return to Big Stage. Bullet Vulnerable Due to Diabetes.

STEPHEN BUNTING is ready to step up his bid to be lockdown champion but admits he is “scared” about the sport returning to the big stage. The former BDO World Champion, talking exclusively to Darts World, continues his aim to be the first-ever PDC Home Tour winner tonight (Weds) against Glen Durrant, Alan Tavern, and Mike De Decker.

But The Bullet, 35, revealed he has major concerns about the re-start of sport during the coronavirus crisis.He said: “It’s tough to see what happens now if the Matchplay goes ahead because I haven’t had the chance to qualify for it as I’m World No.17. The tournaments I would have had to qualify haven’t happened.

“Also when we get back to full speed, how are they going to fit all these tournaments in? They are probably going to have to do five Pro Tours a week. “But is it safer for us to go over to Germany and play because restrictions have been lifted over there. 

“I’m not being funny but I’ve got Type 2 diabetes, I don’t want to be getting on a plane with loads of other people. There’s a lot of things to sort. “There’s a huge death rate with this disease for those who have diabetes. “I am more susceptible to death than most. The figures are there to show that. That’s why I’ve been more scared to leave the house because you just don’t know.“

Look at Kenny Dalglish. He was a carrier but no symptoms. So if we re-start the tour, who’s to say that no one has got it unless we are all tested? “At the same time, we want to get back playing again. It’s a really hard situation.”

Despite all the worries, Bunting is confident of going all the way to being the first-ever lockdown World Champion – now that’s he moved his board.He added: “The board was downstairs just as you come in the front door. But over the last few days I’ve been moving stuff around. “I’ve got a three storey house so I’ve now put my son Toby on the top floor. My practice board is now in his old bedroom. It’s a lot more secure.“

In the past I’ve been practising when the postman has been at the door or deliveries. It was a bit of an annoyance. “It also backed onto the living room so the wife had to keep the TV noise down and that wasn’t fair for her either.“

I think it looks pretty good and I played in an online tournament on Monday against Ricky Evans and a few others and got to the semi-final. But I played some really good stuff. “You are playing the best players in the world. To be the first lockdown World Champion would be a great achievement. “Obviously I’ve been practicing and getting ready for it. I’ve got a very tough group but if I can play the way I did in the first group, I’ll be OK. My first nine-dart average was pretty big so if I can keep that up and finish good, I’ve got a chance of winning the whole thing.“

Me and Alan (Tabern) over the years have had some great games, both from St Helens so there’s a bit of rivalry there. “Glen Durrant has come over to the PDC and done pretty much the same as I did. That’ll be a good game because I don’t think we’ve played each other since he came across from the BDO.“Mike De Decker is also playing well to qualify so three different games but all very hard in other ways.

“It’s a tournament that you want to win. You could be the first name on that trophy, it also may also be the only name ever as it may never happen again. Hopefully the only lockdown World Champion!

“I think the novelty bit has worn off now. It’s a proper tournament you want to win. Playing in this is actually similar to the Pro Tour.“There’s no noise, all you can hear is your opponent behind you. What I do is put the streaming on my TV which is behind me.

“That means it’s my normal rhythm. I turn round to watch them throw, then step forward for my throw just like I normally do. It feels more natural. I find that easier because you pace yourself.”

Unibet Home Tour: Hopp Takes Group Twelve.

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Max Hopp won Group 12 of the Unibet Home Tour on Tuesday night as technical issues for Keegan Brown forced a reshuffle of the fixtures.

Max Hopp quiz.
Max Hopp claimed the disrupted group 12. (Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

The unique home-broadcast tournament usually sees four-player groups in action, but Group 12 saw Brown unable to continue after playing one of his three scheduled matches due to technical problems.

As a result, Hopp and rivals Conan Whitehead and Mike De Decker faced each other twice in the group, with the German ace eventually coming out on top with three wins.

Hopp had lost out 5-3 to De Decker in the night’s opening fixture, but reversed that result later in the evening as well as defeating Whitehead 5-3 and 5-2.

Whitehead had claimed a 5-2 win over De Decker in their first meeting, but a 5-1 reverse in their repeat fixture saw the Belgian ace claim second spot in the final table.

The Unibet Home Tour continues on Wednesday from 1930 BST with Group 13, which sees Steve Beaton, Matthew Edgar, Carl Wilkinson and Callan Rydz face off.

The Unibet Home Tour can be watched live and free through PDCTV for registered users (new users can sign up for FREE here), as well as through bookmakers’ websites and international broadcasters.

PDC Home Tour

Registered PDCTV members can also watch for FREE through the official PDC App.

Unibet Home Tour 
Group 12 – Tuesday April 28
Max Hopp 3-5 Mike De Decker
Keegan Brown 3-5 Conan Whitehead – result void
Mike De Decker 2-5 Conan Whitehead
Max Hopp v Keegan Brown – match not played
Keegan Brown v Mike De Decker – match not played
Conan Whitehead 3-5 Max Hopp
Mike De Decker 3-5 Max Hopp
Max Hopp 5-2 Conan Whitehead
Conan Whitehead 1-5 Mike De Decker

Featrured Pic: Kelly Dekkers

PDC Appoints Rippleffect and Streamamg

DeDecker, Leung & Brooks Claim Day Two Tour Cards – Q School 2020.

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Kai Fan Leung, Bradley Brooks and Mike De Decker secured Tour Cards on Day Two of the 2020 PDC Qualifying School, as Lisa Ashton narrowly missed out on securing an automatic spot on the PDC circuit.

Photo: PDC

Hong Kong’s Leung denied the four-time Women’s World Champion in their deciding game at the UK Qualifying School, hitting a 14-darter to claim his Tour Card as Ashton waited on 72 in the deciding leg of their contest.

He also took out key finishes of 140 and 104 during the tie, with Ashton finishing 130 on the bull to level in leg six.

Leung will follow former Tour Card Holder Royden Lam in representing Hong Kong on the PDC ProTour following the success, with the former World Cup of Darts representative in superb form throughout Day Two.

The 36-year-old lost only four legs in as many matches to begin his challenge, overcame Cameron Menzies and then averaged over 102 in a 5-1 defeat of Adam Hunt.

He was a narrow winner over Dave Prins in the Last Eight in a tie which went all the way, before holding his nerve with a 14-darter in the deciding leg against Ashton.

Leung admitted: “It’s fabulous, I didn’t think I could go this this far. It’s my second time at Q School and I’m glad I made it through.

“I want to stay here, play here and see how far I can go. The Asian Tour has been going for two years and we’re all fighting to get into the World Cup and World Championship and we want to live our dream.

“It’s helped me a lot and helps all the players to get better. Now, all of a sudden, because of the Asian Tour people are gaining experience and getting better and showing we can do it. It’s amazing.”

Ashton followed up Thursday’s run to the Last 32 with another superb display, and although she missed out on securing an automatic Tour Card, she is now on nine ranking points and in a strong position to claim a Tour Card from the Q School Order of Merit.

“It was very tough against Lisa and strange to play her, and luckily I survived in the last leg,” added Leung. “I could see she was winning her games and I didn’t know that I was going to play her, because I would have loved to have Lisa winning a Tour Card as well!”

Teenager Brooks won back his Tour Card as he defeated Brisbane Darts Masters winner Damon Heta 5-3 in their decider in Wigan, returning to the PDC ProTour at the first time of asking after initially losing his professional status at the end of 2019.

The 19-year-old from Blackburn’s eight wins on the day also included a narrow 5-4 win over Ireland’s Michael Flynn in the Last Eight, while he averaged almost 98 in a 5-2 defeat over Niall Cullerton in the Last 16.

“I’m over the moon,” said Brooks. “After losing my Tour Card I was dreading coming back to Q School so it’s brilliant to get back on the tour.

“I didn’t realise how much I wanted it – when I lost it, it was the worst thing that’s ever happened to me and I was gutted. But I’ve had two years learning and I won’t be taking it for granted.

“I know what I can do. I’ll get back on the practice board now and get ready for the ProTour.”

Belgium’s Mike De Decker secured his return to the PDC circuit after winning back his Tour Card on Day Two of the European Qualifying School in Hildeshiem.

The 24-year-old had previously been on the PDC ProTour in 2016 and 2017, and is a four-time winner on the PDC Unicorn Development Tour circuit.

He will now return to competing amongst the sport’s elite in 2020 and 2021 after following Austria’s Harald Leitinger in securing an automatic Tour Card at the European Q School.

De Decker won nine matches on the day at Halle 39 in Hildesheim, dropping just six legs in the first five victories before seeing off Day One runner-up Martijn Kleermaker 5-3 in the last 16.

He also defeated Kevin Doets and Justin van Tergouw by the same scoreline and saw off Sweden’s Nilsson in eight legs in the final.

“It’s been a nerve-wracking day and I’m really happy that I got the Tour Card in the end,” said De Decker. “I can relax now and focus on the tour.

“Losing the Tour Card was a bad thing and a good thing, because it opened my eyes. I thought I was there, and that’s the wrong attitude. I’ll practice and work more than I did before and we’ll see what the next two years brings.”

Nilsson’s run to the final improves his chances of claiming a Tour Card from the European Q School Order of Merit, should he not secure automatic success over the final two days.

Day One finalist Kleermaker also strengthened his position with a run to the last 16, while Poland’s Kciuk and Dutch youngster Van Tergouw also impressed in reaching the semi-finals.

European Qualifying School Day Two

Last 16

Kevin Doets 5-4 Thibault Tricole

Mike De Decker 5-3 Martijn Kleermaker

Daniel Larsson 5-3 Danny van Trijp

Justin van Tergouw 5-4 Ronny Huybrechts

Jeffrey Van Egdom 5-1 Rene Berndt

Dennis Nilsson 5-1 Karel Sedlacek

Krzysztof Kciuk 5-1 Michael Unterbuchner

Ondrej Kysilka 5-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Quarter-Finals

Mike De Decker 5-3 Kevin Doets

Justin van Tergouw 5-2 Daniel Larsson

Dennis Nilsson 5-2 Jeffrey Van Egdom

Krzysztof Kciuk 5-4 Ondrej Kysilka

Semi-Finals

Mike De Decker 5-3 Justin van Tergouw

Dennis Nilsson 5-2 Krzysztof Kciuk

Final

Mike De Decker 5-3 Dennis Nilsson

UK Qualifying School Day Two

Last 16

Lisa Ashton 5-4 Stephen Burton

Peter Jacques 5-4 Dom Taylor

Dave Prins 5-3 Prakash Jiwa

Kai Fan Leung 5-1 Adam Hunt

Ryan Murray 5-4 James Richardson

Damon Heta 5-4 Gary Mawson

Bradley Brooks 5-2 Niall Culleton

Michael Flynn 5-2 Steve Brown

Last Eight

Lisa Ashton 5-4 Peter Jacques

Kai Fan Leung 5-4 Dave Prins

Damon Heta 5-1 Ryan Murray

Bradley Brooks 5-4 Michael Flynn

Last Four

Kai Fan Leung 5-4 Lisa Ashton

Bradley Brooks 5-3 Damon Heta

ENDS

William Hill World Darts Championship - Day Six Round-Up

Austrian Open – Latest PDC Europe Preview.

Posted on | by Official PDC | Leave a Comment on Austrian Open – Latest PDC Europe Preview.

Kyle Anderson and Stephen Bunting will meet on Friday in a mouth-watering first-round tie at the Austrian Darts Championship as the European Tour returns to action in Vienna.

Kyle Anderson Unicorn
The Original – Kyle Anderson

The tenth £140,000 European Tour event of the year will take place from August 30-September 1 at the Multiversum Schwechat in Vienna, as 48 players compete across the weekend.

Friday’s first-round features the 32 qualifiers as they compete across two sessions to secure places in Saturday’s second-round alongside the 16 seeded players.

Australian ace Anderson and former Lakeside Champion Bunting will clash in Friday’s highest-profile contest – with the winner progressing to play World Champion Michael van Gerwen.

Czech Darts Open winner Jamie Hughes opens his bid to win back-to-back European Tour titles against World Championship quarter-finalist Luke Humphries.

Former Austrian Darts Open winners Justin Pipe and Vincent van der Voort clash in another high-profile first round tie, while home favourite Rowby-John Rodriguez plays Josh Payne in a meeting of two World Youth Championship finalists.

Double World Youth Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh plays Mark Webster, while two 2019 Players Championship winners – Ireland’s William O’Connor and Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan – also face off.

UK Open quarter-finalist Ross Smith plays Czech debutant Adam Gawlas, Dutch World Cup ace Jermaine Wattimena meets German youngster Christian Bunse and James Wilson will take on Gavin Carlin.

The withdrawal of Australia’s Corey Cadby meant that a fifth place was available in the Host Nation Qualifier on Thursday night.

Youngster Rusty-Jake Rodriguez joined elder brother Rowby-John Rodriguez in qualifying, alongside former World Championship qualifiers Hannes Schnier and Dietmar Burger.

Alex Steinbauer secured his place in a second European Tour event, while Christian Goedl will make his debut at this level.

William Hill World Darts Championship - Day Six Round-Up
Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Belgium’s Mike De Decker and German left-hander Kevin Munch were the two players to win through the West & South Europe Qualifier.

The Austrian Darts Championship will be broadcast through PDCTV-HD at video.pdc.tv for all subscribers worldwide, as well as through a series of bookmakers’ websites.

2019 Austrian Darts Championship (ET10)

Tournament Draw Bracket – Second Round Onwards

(3) Gerwyn Price v William O’Connor/Brendan Dolan

(14) Simon Whitlock v Justin Pipe/Vincent van der Voort

(6) Adrian Lewis v Jermaine Wattimena/Christian Bunse

(11) Michael Smith v Cameron Menzies/Kevin Munch

(7) Mensur Suljovic v Adam Gawlas/Ross Smith

(10) Steve Beaton v James Wilson/Gavin Carlin

(2) Ian White v Ted Evetts/Rusty-Jake Rodriguez

(15) Nathan Aspinall v Hannes Schnier/Keegan Brown

(4) Daryl Gurney v Rowby-John Rodriguez/Josh Payne

(13) Jonny Clayton v Mike De Decker/Chris Dobey

(5) Peter Wright v Mark Webster/Dimitri Van den Bergh

(12) Joe Cullen v Luke Humphries/Jamie Hughes

(8) Dave Chisnall v Dietmar Burger/Cor Dekker

(9) Ricky Evans v Alex Steinbauer/Kirk Shepherd

(1) Michael van Gerwen v Kyle Anderson/Stephen Bunting

(16) Darren Webster v Jeffrey de Zwaan/Christian Goedl

Schedule of Play

Friday August 30

First Round

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)   

William O’Connor v Brendan Dolan

James Wilson v Gavin Carlin

Adam Gawlas v Ross Smith

Ted Evetts v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez

Cameron Menzies v Kevin Munch

Dietmar Burger v Cor Dekker

Justin Pipe v Vincent van der Voort

Jermaine Wattimena v Christian Bunse

Evening Session (1915 local time, 1815 BST)

Alex Steinbauer v Kirk Shepherd

Mark Webster v Dimitri Van den Bergh

Luke Humphries v Jamie Hughes

Hannes Schnier v Keegan Brown

Mike De Decker v Chris Dobey

Rowby-John Rodriguez v Josh Payne

Jeffrey de Zwaan v Christian Goedl

Kyle Anderson v Stephen Bunting

Saturday August 31

Second Round

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Steve Beaton v Wilson/Carlin

Simon Whitlock v Pipe/Van der Voort

Gerwyn Price v O’Connor/Dolan

Dave Chisnall v Burger/Dekker

Ricky Evans v Steinbauer/Shepherd

Michael Smith v Menzies/Munch

Ian White v Evetts/Rodriguez

Adrian Lewis v Wattimena/Bunse

Evening Session (1915 local time, 1815 BST)

Nathan Aspinall v Schnier/Brown

Daryl Gurney v Rodriguez/Payne

Jonny Clayton v De Decker/Dobey

Peter Wright v M Webster/Van den Bergh

Mensur Suljovic v Gawlas/R Smith

Joe Cullen v Humphries/Hughes

Michael van Gerwen v Anderson/Bunting

Darren Webster v De Zwaan/Goedl

Sunday September 1

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Third Round

Evening Session (1915 local time, 1815 BST)

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Final

Sunday’s games played in Draw Bracket order

Final Qualifying Results

Thursday August 29

Host Nation Qualifier

Final Matches

Alex Steinbauer 6-5 Patrick Tringler

Rusty-Jake Rodriguez 6-3 Armin Glanzer

Christian Goedl 6-0 Tobias Fischer

Hannes Schnier 6-3 Stefan Taferner

Dietmar Burger 6-5 Roxy-James Rodriguez

West & South Europe Qualifier

Final Matches

Mike De Decker 6-3 Wilco Vermeulen

Kevin Munch 6-5 Robert Allenstein

ENDS