‘The Thumb’ back at Ally Pally: Krzysztof Kciuk seals Polish PDC World Darts Championship qualifier
Krzysztof Kciuk has again secured participation in the World Darts Championship. The 45-year-old Pole won the national qualifying tournament in Tarnowo Podgórne on Friday night, securing his third appearance on darts’ biggest stage.
The tournament, which was exceptionally large this year with as many as 182 participants, was considered one of the most prestigious editions ever held in Poland. Thanks to the expansion of the World Darts Championship field from 96 to 128 players, Poland was awarded an additional starting ticket. Interest was enormous: virtually all of the country’s top players applied, including tour ticket holders Radek Szaganski and Tytus Kanik, and the experienced Kciuk himself.
For Szaganski, the tournament began with difficulty. He fell behind 4-0 in the third round, but still managed to turn that deficit around to a 6-4 victory. However, his tournament did not last long. In the next round he was defeated by Wojciech Brulinski, who proved too strong 6-3.
Kciuk, meanwhile, faced compatriot Kanik early in the tournament. In a direct duel between two tour ticket holders, “The Thumb” proved supreme: 6-2, he convincingly eliminated his colleague. That opened the way to the final stage, although Kciuk had to go deep in the quarterfinals.
Against Brulinski, he appeared to forfeit a 5-3 lead after missing eleven match darts. Brulinski had one more chance with a 126 final, but narrowly missed on double 6. Kciuk then grabbed his second chance and decided the match on double 4.
From then on, the veteran did not get into trouble. In the semifinals, he defeated Pawel Styczynski with an average of 92, confirming his form. In the final Adrian Sawinski awaited, but there Kciuk left nothing to chance.
The first four legs went effortlessly to the favorite, after which he played out the match in a controlled manner. With a 6-1 victory, he convincingly took the coveted World Championship spot.
Results Polish Qualifier
Quarterfinal
Pawel Styczysnki 6-5 Sebastian Steyer
Krzysztof Kciuk 6-5 Wojciech Brulinski
Dawid Herberg 6-5 Dawid Lasek
Adrian Sawinski 6-5 Pawel Lempa
Semifinals
Krzysztof Kciuk 6-3 Pawel Styczysnki
Adrian Sawinski 6-2 Dawid Herberg
Final
Krzysztof Kciuk 6-1 Adrian Sawinski
