No trace of modesty: After promotion to the Second Bundesliga Group North, the First Dart Team Cologne is already aiming for its next goals: promotion to the First Bundesliga and winning the cup. On Saturday, September 16th, from 12 p.m., the arrow throwers from Cologne start with a home game to start the season. The opponents come from Seesen (Lower Saxony) and Schönberg (Schleswig-Holstein) to the Cologne Cue Club, Barbarastraße 3-9.
In May, the Cologne team managed to get promoted in Hanau. Finally, they say, because it was the third attempt. In 2020, Corona thwarted the Cologne team as NRW champions when the German Darts Association simply suspended promotions and relegations. The following year, Cologne narrowly failed to qualify. By then the team had become a close-knit community that continued to believe in its goal.
Video of the climb shows storms of celebration
Moritz Schmitz, team captain of the first team together with Dominik Vathke, saved the moment of the winning goal and what happened afterwards on video on his smartphone. “I was aware before the match that this could happen. But it was a great moment,” says Schmitz, who managed the “game shot” for the match.
Cologne was already in the lead 6-0. Only one point was missing from overall victory. At the same time, a teammate played his match but lost. “I noticed that shortly before I was able to score my decisive goal,” Schmitz reports almost casually. Of course he was nervous when he ended his match with a double 20 on his first attempt. On the cell phone video, he can be seen shouting triumphantly and moments later disappearing into a crowd of cheering men in black jerseys.
“You didn’t shake your opponent’s hand afterwards,” scoffs Nico Blum. He is not only a member of the national squad and participant in professional tournaments, but also something of a joker in the team of 17 players. Of course he did, counters Schmitz, but the promotion had to be celebrated extensively beforehand. For everyone it was the emotional end of a long day, which began at 5.30 a.m. with the meeting at the chartered coach.
Many darts clubs are experiencing a boost
Long journeys, paid for out of their own pockets, will soon be taking place once a month for the Cologne arrow throwers. An overnight stay is even planned for a match day that takes them to Flensburg. The team is happy to have a few small sponsors.
The German league doesn’t have much to do with the proud prizes of the professional tournaments. But of course it is the dazzling figures in the professional circus that arouse interest in darts, especially among young players. The leagues are seeing new clubs and many clubs are experiencing a boost.
The Cologne dart team, founded in 1998, also feels this. In addition to the three adult teams, there is even a U18 youth department. The Cologne Cue Club, where billiards, snooker and darts are practiced, is the club’s training and home venue. Youth training takes place every Wednesday from 6 p.m. and an open tournament takes place every Friday from 8 p.m. Registrations are possible until shortly before the start.
Further advancement is the goal for the season
“You can only improve when you play against others,” says Blum. Player Hardy Schumacher added: “More experienced players like to pass on tips. With us you can approach everyone.” These can be subtleties in the throwing position or tactical tricks in the game. In standard play at tournaments and league games you have to score 501 points faster than your opponent. The last arrow must be in a hit field with double the point value and fulfill exactly the remaining amount.
The team, which is now competing in the Second Bundesliga, includes everyone from teenagers to those in their late fifties. These include Pascal Wirotius, German champion in 2019, and others who already have professional tournament experience. “Our team is characterized by solidarity, there is no envy, everyone subordinates themselves to the goal of winning the game,” says Dominik Vathke. After all, there should be celebrations again at the end of the season. It shouldn’t fail because of self-confidence.
2023-09-13 16:44:53
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