Andy Baetens. — © IMAGO/Pro Sports Images
He didn’t succeed on day one, but Andy Baetens qualified for the final phase of the so-called Q-School on day two.
Vincent Van GenechtenDarts follower
Today at 5:35 PM
Seventeen tour tickets will be handed out in Kalkar, Germany this week. These are tickets for the Pro Tour, the ‘first class’ of darts. No fewer than 69 Belgians registered this year. Because a total of 496 darts players are participating in the European tournament (because there is also a British version), everything is divided into two phases. In the first phase it is important to qualify for a quarter-final. If you succeed, you can immediately go to the final phase (January 11-14). If that doesn’t work, you have to win as many matches as possible and advance based on a ranking.
On Monday, Stefaan Henderyck immediately qualified for the final phase. Top favorite Andy Baetens surprisingly lost in the second round, but a day later it was a different story. ‘The Beast’ started by beating two compatriots – Roberto Vandaele and Pascal de Clercq – with averages of 91 and 92. Then the Dutchman Wim Hofsink was defeated, followed by his compatriots Mareno Michels and Patrick Geeraerts. In his first five matches, Baetens lost only three legs.
In a battle for a place among the best eight of the day and therefore a ticket to the final, the WDF world champion looked the Pole Miroslaw Grudziecki in the eye. Baetens ran 2-0 and 4-1 with, among other things, two sixteen-darters, but then the engine stalled a bit. After missing arrows before the match, he saw Grudziecki come back to 4-3. However, the eighth leg was the good one for Baetens: 5-3 and an extra day of rest before the final phase starts on Thursday.
© Dartsconnect
Luc Bogaert, Timothy Verbrugghe and Patrick Bulens are also certain of their place based on the rankings of the past two days. Mario Vandenbogaerde and Brian Raman lost their tour card at the end of 2023 and can anyway start in the final phase.
There is also competition for tour tickets in the UK (14) and Fallon Sherrock had a good day there. ‘The Queen of the Palace’ reached the best eight by winning matches with averages of 96 and 97, and can therefore prepare for the final phase.