LUKAS Wenig maintained his flawless start to the 2023 Hylo PDC Europe Super League to storm through to the last 16 in Bitburg on Wednesday.
The second day of the 2023 Europe Super League saw the round-robin phase draw to a close, as Germany’s top stars continue to battle for a place at the 2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
The 24-player field competed in four groups of six across the first two days of action, with the top four players from each group progressing to the last 16 knockout stage.
Wenig – a two-time finalist on the Winmau Challenge Tour in 2023 – won his five round-robin games on Tuesday’s opening day, and he repeated the feat on Wednesday to cement top spot in Group A.
The 29-year-old advanced through Group A alongside Players Championship 21 runner-up Daniel Klose, who secured a second-place finish with seven wins from his ten matches.
Kai Gotthardt and Michael Klönhammer also progressed, and they were joined by Group B table-topper Pascal Rupprecht, who produced the highest tournament average of the round-robin phase.
Rising star Rupprecht won four of his five matches for the second day in succession, which included an average of almost 102 in a superb 6-2 success against David Schlichting.
Liam Maendl-Lawrance also made it through Group B with 14 points from a possible 20, with Paul Krohne and Andree Welge finishing third and fourth respectively on ten points.
Dragutin Horvat and Max Hopp headlined Group C with eight wins apiece, as two-time PDC title winner Hopp continued his bid to seal an Alexandra Palace return.
Dominik Grullich won four consecutive matches to finish on 14 points from a possible 20, while Arno Merk remarkably confirmed his spot in the knockout stage, despite winning just three of his ten group games.
Elsewhere, Tuesday’s nine-dart hero Niko Springer continued his fine form to claim top spot in Group D, winning all five of his matches on Wednesday to continue his charge.
Springer – a runner-up to Florian Hempel in last year’s showpiece – was joined by Nico Kurz, Rene Eidams and Manfred Bilderl in moving through to the penultimate day of action.
The last 16 will take place on Thursday, as 2022 finalist Springer faces the veteran Welge for a place in Friday’s last eight.
Wenig will meet Bilderl as he eyes an 11th consecutive victory in Bitburg this week, with Hopp up against former European Tour qualifier Gotthardt.
Klose and Eidams will lock horns in a fascinating last 16 tussle, while Group B winner Rupprecht faces Merk as he maintains his focus on clinching an Alexandra Palace debut.
Following Thursday’s last 16, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place on a bumper Finals Day on Friday November 10, which will be broadcast live on SPORT1 and PDCTV.
2023 Hylo PDC Europe Super League
Thursday November 9, Bitburg, Germany
Last 16
Lukas Wenig v Manfred Bilderl
Liam Maendl-Lawrance v Dominik Grullich
Nico Kurz v Paul Krohne
Michael Klönhammer v Dragutin Horvat
Pascal Rupprecht v Arno Merk
Daniel Klose v Rene Eidams
Max Hopp v Kai Gotthardt
Andree Welge v Niko Springer
Best of 11 legs
—–ENDS—–
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