The first day of the European Q School in Kalkar has ended. The top eight players were announced as automatically qualifying for the final stage. Switzerland and the Czech Republic in particular had reason to rejoice.
How did the day go?
A total of 480 players started the first day of European Q School. There were many surprises in the first round. Andreas Harrison, Geoffrey De Graaf, Alexander Merckx (against Jelly Klaassen), Marco Cantelli, Deni Olde Kalter and Patrick Kovacs, among others, failed to win their opening match. More was also expected from WDF world champion Andy Baetens, who lost in his second match 5-4 to Czech Vitezelsav Sedlak, who scored 155 goals in the first leg.
Players who immediately shone on opening day were Max Hope, Stefan Belmonte, Jesús Nogueira, Lucas Wing, John Michael and Anton Östlund. They all recorded multiple averages of over 90. However, for Hopp, Nogueira and Wing, a daily average of over 90 was not enough to reach the last 16. As for the Dutch, Jitsi van der Waals and Lawrence Admiral immediately showed that they Two players to watch closely this week.
finals
Reaching the quarter-finals immediately secured a place in the final stage, which takes place from Thursday to Sunday. Two Dutch people were able to reach the final round, the round of 16, but they were unable to win. Gilbert van der Meyden lost to German Arno Merck 5-4, while Jeffrey Bekema lost to Wenceslas Sedlak by the same numbers.
Two Swiss and two Czechs qualified. Stephane Belmont, one of the favorites for the tour card, lived up to his role as favorite and defeated Christian Goodel 5-3 in the final round. His compatriot Felix Schertz also qualified after defeating Moritz Hilger with the same numbers. In addition to Veclav Sedlak, Filip Sebesta was also the victor of the Czech Republic.
Final round
Stefan Belmont 5-3 Christian Goodel
Felix Schertz 5-3 Moritz Hilger
Stefan Hendrick 5-4 John Michael
Filip Sebesta 5-2 Gianni Keskinarkos
Vitislav Sedlak 5-4 Jeffrey Bekema
Arno Brand 5-4 Gilbert van der Meyden
Matthias Ehlers 5-2 Patrick Tringler
Anton Ostlund 5-3 Oliver Muller
stands up
After day one, the players who lost in the round of 16 are logically at the top. Dutchman Geoffrey Bekema is the leader thanks to better leg balance, followed by two Germans. After the third day, 83 of the EU Q-School First Stage Order of Merit qualify for the final stage. The full result after the first day is here to watch.
Photo courtesy of: Jonas Honnold (PDC Europe)
