The fifth annual PDC Nordic Darts Masters takes place this weekend as attention turns to the commencement of this season’s World Series. Darts World informally sets the scene and manages a few words from some of the Nordic invitees:
Following events in Bahrain and the Netherlands, it’s Denmark’s turn to take centre stage – a proud nation famous for goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel, who was so iconic he inspired the Coronation Street scriptwriters to immortalise him on the cobbles… in Doberman form. Denmark also boasts some pretty tasty bacon and a selection of pastries so delicious they named them after the country itself. Modest.
The action unfolds in the picturesque capital city of Copenhagen. I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours there once – albeit in an airport lounge during a stopover en route to Stockholm. Still, I have to say, it’s a lovely place. The Duty Free shop offers a wide and varied selection of colognes, and the views from the windows of several types of aircraft were genuinely impressive.
Now… onto the darts.
The heavyweight line-up includes this year’s entire Premier League team – minus the inimitable Michael van Gerwen. The Green Machine is more than adequately replaced by the Welsh maestro and recent Dutch Darts champion, Jonny Clayton. It looks like The Ferret is rediscovering that golden form from a few years ago, the kind that launched him on a blistering winning run.
Of the four previous Nordic Masters champions, only the returning and defending champ Gezzy Price is present. MVG aside, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Peter Wright are the only other players to have lifted the trophy to date.
But for now, we turn our focus to the eight Nordic challengers – an octet with the pedigree and potential to upset the odds. Here’s a little more about the local hopefuls looking to bring down the big guns.
OSKAR LUKASIAK (SWE) vs STEPHEN BUNTING (ENG)
Swedish Tour Card holder Oskar Lukasiak is almost set to make his third consecutive appearance for his country in the World Cup. Friendly by nature – and unofficial holder of the Quietest Passenger on a Three-Hour Trip to Heathrow award, if such a title existed – he’s also a deceptively dangerous opening opponent for Stephen Bunting.
His Tour Card journey hasn’t exploded out of the blocks just yet; he’s still waiting to reach the fourth round of a Players Championship event. But don’t let that fool you. Oskar holds a remarkable accolade – he hit a nine-dart finish during a boys’ match at the 2004 Denmark Open, aged just 12, making him the youngest player ever to achieve the feat in an official competition.
Underestimate him at your peril. The Bullet may need to be fully locked and loaded.
DARIUS LABANAUSKAS (LIT) vs JONNY CLAYTON (WAL)
A leading light in Lithuanian darts, Darius Labanauskas hails from a nation that, in my humble opinion, has the most aesthetically pleasing flag in world sport – bright enough to lift your mood, even the darkest of winter mornings.
Now 48, Darius has been around longer than an ageing soap opera star, with quarter-final appearances at both Lakeside and Ally Pally to his name. While he did most of his damage on the old BDO circuit, he enjoyed a purple patch on the PDC Pro Tour in 2019, going from a semi-final finish straight into a final in back-to-back events. A quality operator with bags of experience, but Lucky D may need to lean heavily on his nickname when he steps up against the red-hot Jonny Clayton.
VIKTOR TINGSTROM (SWE) vs LUKE LITTLER (ENG)
Perhaps the lesser-known of the four Swedes in the field, but make no mistake – Viktor is a highly competent arrow-smith. Like Labanauskas, his most notable achievements have come on the WDF side of the game. Last year, he picked up two titles at the WDF Europe Cup, and the year before that, he took home the Finnish Masters crown. The 24-year-old hails from Högdalen, which I’m reliably informed by Google translates to High Valley. You live and learn. He’s been handed the unenviable task of trying to stop Luke Littler – no pressure, then.
BENJAMIN DRUE REUS (DEN) vs NATHAN ASPINALL (ENG)
The only home-grown player on view, Benjamin Drue Reus will undoubtedly enjoy massive support from the Copenhagen crowd. Nicknamed The Flying Star – for reasons that remain a complete mystery – Benjamin has had a slightly chequered past in the game. But to his credit, he’s put that behind him, and on his day, he’s more than capable of giving anyone a game.
Speaking to Darts World yesterday, he said: “I’m really excited to participate in the Nordic Masters for the fourth time. Even though the results haven’t been with me, I’m still looking forward to giving it my all on the stage.” He’ll need every ounce of that determination as he faces off against the latest Euro Tour champion, Nathan Aspinall – a man seemingly adored by every crowd he steps in front of.
ANDREAS HARRYSSON (SWE) vs ROB CROSS (ENG)
The big Swede with the rock star look, takes on former World Champion Rob Cross in what promises to be a proper battle royale. Fresh off a strong showing at the European Darts Open, Andreas told Darts World: “It’s going to be lovely to get back to Forum and play again. Really looking forward to playing the fourth world champion in one week.”
He’s referring, of course, to his recent run-ins with Raymond van Barneveld, Michael Smith, and World Cup winner Damon Heta in Leverkusen – where only the Aussie managed to get the better of him. Rob Cross is highly decorated, no doubt – but don’t expect Dirty Harrysson to be fazed. He’s developed quite the appetite for World Champions lately.
JEFFREY DE GRAAF (SWE) vs CHRIS DOBEY (ENG)
Adopted Swede Jeffrey de Graaf takes on Chris Dobey and will be hoping to steer his career even further in the right direction. Originally from the Netherlands, Jeff packed his bags a few years back after falling in love with a beautiful Swedish native – now the mother of their child.
Since returning to the PDC Pro Tour, the 34-year-old (and uncanny Seth MacFarlane lookalike) has made a couple of impressive runs to finals, though he’s yet to seal the deal and light the celebratory cigar.
He was dominant on the Nordic & Baltic Tours in recent times – which, I might add, meant I had to take separate car journeys just to pick him up from various London airports, away from usual travel partner and fellow Stockholm resident, Kevin Doets. Cheers for that, Jeff. Still, he’s got all the ability in the world, and Dobey will know full well the kind of threat he poses.
COR DEKKER (NOR) vs GERWYN PRICE (WAL)
The only Norwegian in the field, Cor Dekker has the honour – and the headache – of taking on reigning Nordic Masters champion Gerwyn Price. Speaking to Darts World earlier, Cor said:
“Everyone who’s getting an invite to the Nordic Masters is looking forward to it. We’re getting a chance to measure ourselves against the best on stage. The pressure’s on them though, so we’ll see what happens when we give it our best shot – with the crowd probably behind us.”
I then reminded him exactly who his opponent was, just in case he’d conveniently forgotten.
“Yes, I haven’t played against him before. He’s one of the most solid players out there, so it’ll be tough to beat him.” Indeed it will, Cor. But credit to him – he’ll be giving it everything.
MADARS RAZMA (LAT) vs LUKE HUMPHRIES (ENG)
And from the only man from Norway to the sole Latvian representative – the irreplaceable Madars Razma. Not irreplaceable in the sense that the organisers couldn’t find someone else if he pulled out, but irreplaceable in the sense that he’s a true character of the game.
The 36-year-old has been plying his trade on the PDC circuit since 2017. While he’s yet to lift a Pro Tour title, he’s reached three finals and consistently proven he belongs at the top level. He’s also enjoyed deep runs on the Euro Tour, twice making it to the semi-finals – including last year’s Baltic Sea Darts Open, which, rather ironically, took place in Germany. Not exactly the Baltic – but there you go. If he’s to progress here, he must climb a small mountain: taking down the world number one, Luke Humphries. Does Madars have the razmatazz to do it? We’ll soon find out.
So there you have it – your runners and riders from the Nordic side of the coin. Arguably the strongest right-hand side of the draw we’ve seen, and with it, plenty of opportunities for a few upsets.
The action gets underway this Friday at 6pm BST and wraps up around the same time on Saturday. UK viewers can catch every leg live on ITV4, while international fans can tune in via PDC TV. Should be a good ’un.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC Europe
