World number one Gerwyn Price is in the quarterfinals of the Darts World Cup after a lackluster win. His next opponent is either German Gabriel Clemens or Alan Soutar. Price himself has no clue about it.
When the darts pros are asked about their possible next opponents in the course of the tournament, they usually reply that they are expecting a strong opponent and they are only concentrating on themselves. You rarely find out what they really think of their opponents. On Thursday evening, world number one Gerwyn Price proved that empty phrases can sometimes actually correspond to reality.
After his lackluster 4-1 win over José de Sousa, the Welshman was of course also asked about his quarter-final opponents at the press conference that followed. This will be determined this Friday afternoon between the German Gabriel Clemens and the Scot Alan Soutar. "Gabriel is a great player. Of course, if he comes through, the German fans will be particularly loud. It will be difficult for me. But yes, whoever comes through, I'm ready," was Price's reply.
A few seconds later, however, the 2021 world champion added: "I didn't want to mention the other possible opponent right now because I don't even know who it is." A classic prize. The "Iceman" is usually extremely focused, he only concentrates on his own game. It's not just an empty phrase for him. Price has said that after he finished his career as a professional rugby player in Wales, he looked for another sport where he could earn a lot. It's about getting as much money as possible out of your opponent's pockets.
Price is the opposite of a darts purist. If one day he has "stolen" enough money from the competition, he will go into sporting retirement from one day to the next. Make a comeback like Raymond van Barneveld? Unthinkable. Embark on a career as a TV expert like John Part or Wayne Mardle? Extremely unlikely.
At the age of 50 he wants to give up and emigrate with his family to where the sun shines. Until then, "I'll buy two houses a year," Price said in a "Welt" interview two years ago. If the Welshman implements the plan, Price will one day become a real estate shark. The "Iceman" is 37 years old, so it's still a long way from the end of his career.
On the twelfth day of the Darts World Cup in London, Price proved that he still has a lot planned. In the first round of 16, the ex-world champion didn't play well, but he was successful. In the decisive moments he was better than his opponent José de Sousa. In front of almost 3,000 spectators in Alexandra Palace, almost all of whom cheered on the outsider from Portugal, Price clearly won 4:1. However, three sets were only decided in the deciding leg. The game was closer than the result says.
According to Price, he is still miles away from his top level. "That wasn't even my C-Game," said the number one in the world. "But that's not the point now. The only thing that counts is winning. I always say that I only find my best game from the quarter-finals onwards."
Jonny Clayton, the second ex-rugby player from Wales, made it into the last eight last night. The seventh in the world rankings ended the darts fairy tale of "child prodigy" Josh Rock. Clayton won the game 4-3, making it into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Unlike his compatriot Price, Clayton at least knows the nationality of his next New Year's Day opponent. The Belgians Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts determine the Clayton opponent in the first game on Friday afternoon.
Then, from around 3 p.m. German time, Gabriel Clemens meets Alan Soutar. The "German Giant" is in the round of 16 for the second time after the 2021 World Cup. No German in the history of the professional darts world championship has made it to the quarterfinals.
