Razma seals World Championship debut after PDCNB success in Finland

Latvia’s Madars Razma and Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas reigned victorious in the penultimate weekend of PDC Nordic and Baltic action at Finland’s Hotel Tallukka.

Razma secured qualification for a PDC World Championship debut thanks to his counterpart, Labanauskas, having already provisionally earned his spot via the PDC ProTour rankings.

It was Labanauskas who reigned victorious in Saturday’s event. The Lithuanian opened his campaign with wins over Jyri Ussa and Niels Hansen, before easing past Niels Heinsøe with a 91.1 average.

A triumph over Dennis Nilsson followed for ‘Lucky D’ as he moved into the final, following a 6-4 win. Labanauskas raced into a 3-0 lead in the final against Razma, pinning checkouts of 84 and 124 en route.

Razma himself reeled off three legs in succession to level up proceedings, hitting combination finishes of his own. From there the remaining legs went with throw and it was Labanauskas who claimed a fifth PDC Nordic and Baltic honour.

Latvia’s Razma reaped revenge on Labanauskas just a day later as he plucked Sunday’s event from the clutches of the Lithuanian seeking a double.

Niels Hansen, Pauli Finnila and Niels Heinsøe were all thrashed by Razma – who dropped a mere three legs on his way to the semi-finals.

Razma then survived multiple match darts and came back from 5-4 down to see off Finland’s Marko Kantele to book his place in the final.

Labanauskas led 3-1 in the final, but Razma – whilst pinning three ton-plus checkouts of 111, 136 and 142 – eventually eased to victory, hitting double two to win his fourth PDC Nordic and Baltic title.

Elsewhere, Kim Viljanen didn’t attend either event in his home country, while Viljanen World Cup of Darts partner, Marko Kantele, departed in the semi-finals on both Saturday and Sunday at the hands of Razma.

Former World Masters qualifier, Jani Keskinarkaus, reached his first PDC Nordic and Baltic semi-final, while Rene Johanson, Teemu Harju and Ivan Springborg emerged as surprise quarter-finalists.

Denmark’s legendary Per Laursen reached the quarter-finals on Saturday, before suffering a second round exit the following day.

Sweden’s Daniel Larsson secured qualification for the opening European Tour of 2020 – which is set to be held in Singdelfingen – after denying Roland Lenngren a European Tour debut.

Photography: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

About The Author

Ben Hudd Ben is a dedicated sports writer and has been covering all forms of darts for a number of years, from the grassroots to professional level.

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