On Friday night, Raymond van Barneveld secured a spot in the last 32 at the European Darts Open after a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski. The match was a close affair, with both players exchanging the lead multiple times before Van Barneveld emerged victorious in a deciding leg.
Ratajski started the match by holding his throw, but Van Barneveld quickly leveled the scores with a 16-darter. The Dutchman then broke Ratajski’s throw via double 5, only to lose the break again in the following leg. Ratajski then threw out 112 to take a 3-2 lead.
The equalizer came in the sixth leg after a 71 check-out by Van Barneveld. Ratajski then took the lead again with an 85 finish, but Van Barneveld leveled the scores once more with a 13-darter. Both players then held their throws, forcing a deciding leg.
“The last leg was an incredible leg. He missed and I went out,” a delighted Van Barneveld said after the match.
The 57-year-old Van Barneveld appeared relaxed at the start of the Euro Tour tournament in Leverkusen, having taken a holiday with his family the week prior.
“I feel relaxed and maybe felt better tonight than at every European Tour I played before,” he added.
Van Barneveld will face Luke Humphries in the next round, as one of seven Dutchmen to have reached the last 32 of the European Darts Open, including Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Kevin Doets, and Jeffrey de Graaf.
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