Euro Stars: Big Names Dominate Continental Q School

THE pattern of established or ‘name’ players coming through the European Q School venue in Kalkar, Germany, whilst lesser known or ‘breakthrough players’ impress and/or gain the UK Pro Tour Cards was maintained again yesterday:

2006 Lakeside World Champion Jelle Klaasen regained his PDC Tour Card on Friday, after coming through on Day Two of the Final Stage of European Q School, whilst Robert Grundy won a two-year Tour Card for the first time at UK Q School, with the action continuing in Milton Keynes and Kalkar, Germany.

Day One of the Final Stage of Qualifying School saw Former World Cup of Darts Finalist Steve Lennon and Dutchman Martijn Dragt pick up the first two Tour Cards on offer in the UK and Europe respectively, as players continue to battle it out for automatic Tour Cards or ones via their respective Order of Merit’s.

European Q School

Former Lakeside Champion, Klaasen, regained his PDC Tour Card for the first time since 2021, as ‘The Cobra’ reached the final firstly by recording victories against Jeffrey De Graaf, Alexander Masek, Nicolas Thuillier, Michele Turetta, Gilbert Van der Meijden and Jules Van Dongen, to set up a clash with Denmark’s Benjamin Drue Reus.

The final began with Klaasen taking the opener with a 12-dart break of throw, before Drue Reus charged in front by rattling off three consecutive legs in a total of 44 darts to move 3-1 ahead and halfway to victory. Klaasen then levelled the tie up by winning back-to-back legs in 12 and 18 darts respectively to square the match up at 3 apiece.

The pair then held throw for the following four legs, which saw the finale reach an 11^th and deciding leg, whereby Drue Reus would have the advantage of throwing first. However, missed match darts cost the Danish star, which allowed Klaasen to fire in an 81 checkout for an 11-dart break of throw to seal a 6-5 victory and secure a return to the main PDC Tour.

Drue Reus’ run to the final saw the 25-year-old Dane record victories on the day against Jaime Nunez Cortes, Jarno Bottenberg, Mario Vandenbogaerde, Jani Keskinarkaus, Tim Wolters and Patrick Geeraets, before being denied by Klaasen. However, following two days of play, Drue Reus sits top of the European Order of Merit on 6 points, as he looks to pick up a two-year PDC Tour Card for the first time in his career.

UK Q School

Former Challenge Tour Event Winner, Grundy, sealed a two-year PDC Tour Card for the first time in his career, as he reached the final firstly by recording victories against James Wilson, Joe Murnan, Fallon Sherrock, Scott Taylor, James Hurrell and Danny Lauby, to set up a clash with fellow compatriot, Dom Taylor.

The final began with two straight breaks of throw between the pair, before Grundy pinned back-to-back 15 darters to move 3-1 ahead and halfway to victory. Taylor went on to win the following leg in 12 darts, which resulted in being his final leg success, as Grundy sealed the tie by rattling off three successive legs in a total of 42 darts for a 6-2 victory and securing his place on the main PDC Tour for the first time.

Taylor’s run to the final saw ‘The Tower’ record victories on the day against Derek Maclean, Devon Petersen, Harry Gregory, Darren Beveridge, Connor Scutt and Matthew Dennant, before being denied by Grundy. Having reached the finale, The Englishman sits in 4^th place on the UK Order of Merit on 5 points from two days of play, as he looks to win a two-year PDC Tour Card for the first time in his career.

PDC Qualifying School continues on Saturday, in the UK and in Europe, with Day Three of the Final Stage with one automatic Tour Card up for grabs at each Q School, with play commencing at 13:00 CET in Europe and 12:00 GMT in the UK. All live scores and results can be viewed at tv.dartconnect.com