Darts in the Czech Republic have a long tradition
This pub pastime has long since developed into a full-fledged sport
And so the Sport editorial staff has decided to show darts for the first time on Czech Television
For many years the peak of the Czech darts season has been the international Czech Open
It's Saturday Nov. 4, 2006 and we're in the Sokol building in Radotin
I'm from Norway, and we were here last year as well
We have a similar tournament in the North, and so we're here again this year
Hello, my name is Zsofia Lazar from Hungary
I was here last year, and I found information on this year's tournament on the internet
I'm from Holland, from the city of Nielingen
And a friend of mine said that the Czech Open is a great tournament that I have to go to
I from Austria, from Gratz
I was here for the first time last year, it was a nice tournament
So I thought I will come back.
Originally I'm from Scotland, I now live in Holland.
and I found out about this tournament on the internet
Stanislav Vodrazka Vice chairman - Czech Darts Organization
This is the largest international tournament organized by the Czech Darts Organization
The tournament is ranked by the WDF, World Darts Federation
In this 12th year of the tournament, we have the largest turnout ever
169 men and 38 women entered the tournament
Dietmar Burger and Monika Schartner are here defending their victories from last year
The prize money for the winners is 30000 crowns
Dear viewers, I won't be commentating the tournament alone
I'd like to welcome Jan Prikryl, president of the Czech Darts Organization
Commentator: Good day, Jan Jan: Good day
We saw many quality darts matches at the Czech Open
But the true show didn't start until later in the semifinals
The first semifinals match was played by Jiri Jenicek
and last year's winner, Dietmar Burger from Austria
It was pretty easy going until the group final
I was losing 3:1, but in the end I won 4:3 and was happy to have made it out of the group
And the next match I played with one of our best players, who I managed to beat 4:0
It seemed unbelievable to me, but in the end I met with success
I know many excellent Czech darts players, and I played with many of them today
We now cut to the start of the 8th and final leg of the first semifinal
We now cut to the 8th and final leg of the first semifinal match
Dietmar Burger is ahead 4:3 and has a chance to win the match
because the semifinals are played to best 5 of 9.
Austrian Burger was last years winner, and so was probably the favorite in this duel.
Definitely, he was seeded #1 in this tournament.
The players' longest leg was the first one, where Jiri Jenicek won with his 27th dart.
But afterwards both players were finshing in about 20 darts, which is a decent average.
Yes. Of course, the best players in the world average between 12 and 15 darts
After winning his group, Burger first defeated Roman Schybal 4:0, and then Norweigan Evevoll 4:0
and in the quarterfinals beat Stanislav Vodrazka 4:3.
Among the top 32 players, Jiri Jenicek first beat Belgian Michiels 4:3
and then beat his countryman Hoffmann 4:0
and handled Hungarian Szekely by the same margin.
Jenicek's play was overall quite balanced.
Up to this point Burger has convincingly led Jenicek in the number of 100+darts thrown, 16:8
including one throw for the maximum points possible, 180.
Which Jiri Jenicek did not manage to match.
Dietmar Burger just now tried to set up his out, but missed the final triple 18, leaving 46.
Jiri Jenicek just tried to finish on double bull, of course his dart ended up in the single.
It's probably quite risky to throw at the double bull.
Risky, but necessary in this position, because he needed to try to close this leg.
Jenicek has another chance to finish, but missed the double 4.
So Burger will get another chance.
Burger took out double 4 and won the first semifinal 5:3.
Burger eliminated Jenicek's chance for the finals with his 19th dart in the 8th leg.
David Miklas and Petr Tous worked their way out of their groups and met in the second semifinal.
As you might have just seen, the last match was the hardest, tied at 3:3.
Luckily I was playing great darts, but well, in the end I won.
At first I couldn't get into my rhythm, my competition were all quality players.
You could even say that I had a little luck at the beginning, and gradually warmed up.
And so I won my group. Since then I've been throwing the darts that I know I can throw
Now we jump to the 8th leg of the second semifinal.
At first Petr Tous seemed more sure of himself, but had problems hitting the doubles.
And wasn't able to finish several otherwise well-played legs.
And so going into the 8th leg Miklas, who just threw, was leading 4:3.
The players maintained their starting position during the first six legs.
Which means a three dart advantage.
In the 7th leg, Miklas to win the start, and so has the advantage going into the final leg
Both players appear quite similar, because the finals require a certain minimal dress code.
And so we offer the following hint on telling the players apart, Miklas is wearing an earring.
And Petr Tous' shirt is not tucked in.
Petr Tous, known in the world of darts as "Mr. Pencil", had a better start in the second semifinal.
Tous was leading 1:0, 2:1 and then 3:2, and the ratio of 100+ darts throw was in his favor.
But in the end, Miklas was better with 16 100+ throws versus Tous' 15
Miklas also threw the only 180 in the 2nd semifinal.
Miklas showed excellent darts in group play, and brought excellent form to the finals.
During three matches after group play, he didn't lose even a single leg.
He first beat Lamers from Holland 4:0
and then by the same score Belgian Crauwels, and Norweigian Hansen in the quarterfinals.
Incidentially, Hansen had earlier beat Russ Bray, the most well known celebrity in the tournament.
Russ Bray moderated the final matches, and we'll talk more about him later.
Petr Tous was lucky against the foreign competition, first beating Reid from Scotland 4:0
and then "Mr. Pencil" handled Norweigian Knudsen 4:2
And in a dramatic quarterfinal beat Hungarian Bezzeg 4:3.
Nandor Bezzeg is one of the leading Hungarian players,
We now see Petr Tous throwing
He misses the double
In the 8th leg Miklas needed only 18 darts to defeat Tous.
Miklas took out 100 with three precise darts, and ended the second semifinal.
The charismatic Russ Bray moderated the evening's final matches.
Whose unmistakable voice has accompanied many a professional tournament.
And so now we bring you an interview with him in his native English language.
Russ, you were also a caller at the world series?
How did you get here to Prague?
What do you think about the Czech Open?
Now we cut to the women's final, which is already well under way.
Szofia Lazar, in the dart blue shirt, just now throwing
Lazar is leading 4:2 at this point, and is only a few darts away from possibly winning the final.
Because the women played the final to best 5 of 9 legs.
During the basic part, they played only best 4 of 7
In the final they play best 5 of 9.
Did the men play the same way?
At the begining yes, but in the semifinals it was already best 5 of 9
And the final was best 6 of 11.
At large tourmanents, matches are usually played in sets consisting of best 2 of 3 or best 3 of 5 legs.
And then the match is made up of multiple sets.
Except that the Czech Open singles was just a one-day tournament
And so set play was probably not possible due to time constraints.
The time required for set play may vary greatly
and a minimum of thrown sets can result in up to 25 legs being thrown in one match.
At the end of the 7th leg, Blanka Vojtkova had 118 points left
She threw her first two darts precisely, hitting 80 points.
And so to finish she needed a double 19.
But she hit only a single 19.
Leaving Lazar a chance to take out 74 and win the entire final.
First dart triple 11.
The second missed into the 12, leaving 29 points.
Which is not possible to finish with one dart.
Szofia was throwing her first dart at the triple 14.
Of course she missed into the neighboring segment.
On her second dart she attempted to rectify the mistake with a single 9
which was unfortunately not successful.
The hungarian then threw a four, leaving 25 point. Vojtkova had 19 points and three darts.
Vojtkova hit a three, and then double 8 to win the leg with her 20th dart.
Thus lowering the lead to 4:3 and narrowly escaping defeat.
We cut now to the final leg of the women's finals.
Vojtkova has evened the balance at 4:4.
In the final leg, the two players threw at the bull to determine that Vojtkova would start
Which is quite significant, as a three-dart advantantage can be decisive
Vojtkova defeated Hungarian Kovacs 4:1,
and also defeated Czech Katerina Obrucova 4:2 in the semifinal.
Zsofia Lazar was defending her 2nd place finish at last year's Czech Open
She appreciated making it to the final match,
especially since last year's winner, Austrian Monika Schartner lost in the first round.
Lazar became a nightmare for the Czech players.
Beating Milena Jirkalova in the quarterfinals, and Zuzana Stepanova in the semifinal.
How were the women players seeded?
Seeding was according to the WDF rankings, with the #1 seed being Monika Schartner from Austria.
And how were the finalists, Lazar and Vojtkova seeded?
Lazar was seeded #2, Vojtkova was not seeded in this tournament
because up to now she had participated in only one world tournament.
Although she won, she wasn't yet among the seeded players.
Lazar was more successful in 100+ throws, winning 9:5.
In other statistics both competitors were evenly matched.
Vojtkova finished her first finals leg with her 28th dart.
And Lazar finshed the 5th and 6th legs with her 31st and 29th darts.
Both finalists most likely battled with high levels of anxiety
Definitely, playing on the podium is a test of nerves for the players.
Many times the quality of darts falls on the podium due to this reason.
A lot of times some of the best matches are the quarter and semifinals
when players are still relatively relaxed.
Zsofia, by hitting 65, has left herself 160 points
which is one of the highest possible outs.
Blanka needs 58, a single 18 sets up the double 20.
And she hits the second attempt, winning the women's singles.
Vojtkova defeated Lazar in the maximum number of legs, 5:4.
Last year I also finished second.
My goal this year was to make the finals, which I succeeded in doing.
So I am absolutely happy.
I think it was not a bad game, and my opponent was brilliant, too.
Darts are mainly about concentration, it depends on what's happening, on a lot of various things.
The result depends on a lot of things. And usually the biggest opponent is you yourself.
Blanka, you're the winner. What in your opinion decided the match?
I had to turn the 4:2, and when I reached 4:4, I believed in myself a lot more.
I just had to turn the match around, and once I had, it was easy going.
Do you have any idea about how you'll celebrate the triumph?
I think it will be a big celebration.
Russ Bray opened the men's final match with his booming voice
Inviting first Dietmar Burger to the stage,
followed by his opponent, David Miklas.
We are now watching the 6th leg of the men's final
Dietmar Burger is just now throwing.
He threw 100 points
David's answer is a mere 60 points.
Dietmar had 196 points remaining, David Miklas 219.
Dietmar hit just 45.
David hit 59, 160 remaining.
This is an example of how important knowing how to score is,
since three 20s, 60 points, would have left 159, which cannot be taken out in three darts
Perhaps we should explain to our viewers, that players must finish a given leg with a double
in other words, he must hit the outer ring on the dartboard.
The player must have an even score prior to throwing the final dart.
Dietmar hit a 14, setting up the double 20, and finally took out the double 10.
David Miklas starts the 7th leg, trying to hit the triple 20.
To try and score as many points as possible right at the start.
Except that his second dart missed into the triple 1, giving a total score of 43.
Dietmar of course responds with a brilliant throw of 140 points.
And basically has brought the advantage to his side.
Especially since David again threw just a 42.
And Dietmar again hits the 140.
Gaining a two-hundred point lead.
Here on the podium we may be seeing the difference between these two players in the WDF rankings.
While Dietmar Burger was ranked 24th prior to the Czech Open, Miklas was ranked 119th.
It's likely that the Austrian is more used to playing in front of an audience
and can handle the nervousness better.
Yes, Dietmar has more experience on the podium, but David is no stranger to it either.
He's played on the podium in several European tournaments.
Dietmar hit 57, setting up 64, which he can take out to win the leg.
David has 220, and needs at least 60 to be able to close in the next round.
But one dart fell out, leaving him 180 points.
Which he cannot take out in three darts for the leg.
Dietmar had only 64 left after twelve darts,
first hitting triple 16, and double 8 with his third dart.
Thus winning the 7th leg in 15 darts
which was the best performance in the tournament.
Dietmar Burger starts the 8th leg.
Triple 20, 20 and triple 1.
David responds with a brilliant 140.
The two triple 20s were valuable, because Miklas was underthrowing it during the match.
Just as we see right now
He's saved by a triple 20.
Dietmar continues his excellent form, hitting 100.
Hit just 60.
And two 1s, not a good sign.
Luckily hit a triple 20, leaving 139.
During the 8th leg, Dietmar Burger threw with confidence.
during the first four rounds he didn't threw fewer than 83 points.
He could have won the entire tournament on the fifth round,
except he surprisingly missed the double 20, and instead of the needed 84
he hit only 34.
David Miklas also had a chance to take out 139, hitting triple 20, triple 19
and double 11! Miklas won the 8th leg, lowering the score to 3:5.
139 was also the highest out in the entire final block.
And David's reward for this performance was to start the 9th leg first.
Except that he yet again underthrew the triple 20.
Dietmar keeps up his average, again hitting 100.
You saw the look of dissatisfaction on David's face?
David again underthrew the triple 20,
Except this time his third darts hits the triple 20.
And like Burger scores 100 points.
The Austrian now throws just 60
During the final we can show you just the upper half of the dartboard,
because the players all try to throw the most at the 20.
Logically, to score the most points possible.
Most players throw this way, although there are some who throw at the 19.
Such as we saw Blanka Vojtkova in the women's final.
But Burger is sticking with the 20s, even though it didn't pay off this time.
And one dart missed into the 5.
David's 81 lowers his remaining points to 75.
With 75 points remaining, David could have closed the 9th leg.
He first hit a single 17.
Followed by an 18.
And a double 20 would finish the 9th leg.
Except Miklas overthrew the double 20, look at how little it takes in darts
to miss the desired number.
That's known as the notorious "wire".
Dietmar didn't let a second chance get away.
With 71 points remaining, he hit a 17, 14 and double 20 to finish the game.
Burger finished the game in 18 darts, and successfully defended his title from last year.
And gained 15 points into the world rankings.
Dietmar play very well, and proved that he is an excellent player.
I wish I could have put up a performance to defeat him, to be a worthy opponent.
Unfortunately it wasn't in the cards, perhaps next time.
What exactly was missing for you to make that final little step?
A little bit nerves, and mainly I was underthrowing the triple 20,
which is the base for success in darts.
And so the points were sorely missed at the end, leaving fewer darts at the out.
Dietmar was brilliant in his finishes.
I won the title last year, and so I came again this year.
It was more difficult this year, since Czechs are becoming better and better players.
Dietmar, how do you like Prague?
As I've already said, it's a great place for me, as I have won again.
I'm looking forward to coming again next year.
This year's Czech Open in darts now behind us.
Jan, thank you for finding the time and helping us commentate our 30-minute show.
It was my pleasure, and I look forward to meeting up with you next year for the Czech Open 2007.
This year's Czech Open was won by Dietmar Burger and Blanka Vojtkova. Dear viewers, we look forward to being with you again for darts. Thank you and goodbye.