Ricardo Pietreczko

Pietreczko started playing darts at the age of 16 after his father put a dartboard in his room and he trained diligently before and after school. In 2014, he took part in qualifiers for PDC European Tour events, but was not able to qualify. At the national level, however, he was doing much better. He advanced to the semi-finals of the Super League Darts. In 2016, he took part in the 4 Nations Cup for the Germany team and reached the semi-finals in singles competition, where he lost to Wesley Harms 5–3 in legs.

At the beginning of 2017, he played at the Dinslaken Open and reached the final, where he lost to Daniel Zygla. As the third in the national ranking of qualifying tour for the WDF World Cup, he qualified to participate in the 2017 WDF World Cup as a representative of Germany. In the singles competition, he won the bronze medal, lost in the semi-final to Raymond Smith by 1–6 in legs. Pietreczko also made his debut at the 2017 World Masters, where he advanced to the fourth round. In his fourth round match, he lost to Neil Duff 3–0 in sets.{{cite web | url=https://dartswdf.com/competitions/world-masters-men/2017/results| title=Winmau World Masters Men 2017| publisher=World Darts Federation| access-date=28 December 2022}}

At the end of February 2018, Pietreczko won the Donnersberg Cup in Rockenhausen, and in mid-June he won the German Championship for the first time. At the beginning of September, Pietreczko qualified for a PDC European Tour event, the 2018 International Darts Open, but lost in the first round to Ryan Searle 6–4 in legs. The next day, Pietreczko won the DDV ranking tournament in Steinfurt. Pietreczko was appointed by the national federation to represent Germany at the 2018 WDF Europe Cup. In the singles competition, he advanced to the third round where he lost to Ross Montgomery. In pairs and team competition, he was eliminated in the earlier stage.{{cite web | url=https://dartswdf.com/players/ricardo-pietreczko| title=Ricardo Pietreczko| publisher=WDF Darts | access-date=28 December 2022}}

He played at the 2018 World Masters, where he advanced to the fifth round, where he lost to seeded Willem Mandigers 3–1 in sets.{{cite web | url=https://dartswdf.com/competitions/world-masters-men/2018/results| title=Winmau World Masters Men 2018| publisher=World Darts Federation| access-date=28 December 2022}} In mid-November, Pietreczko made a successful return to the Super League Darts, when he won the qualifier in Düsseldorf. In May 2019, he qualified for the 2019 European Darts Grand Prix, where he lost in first round match to Jamie Hughes by 1–6 in legs. In October 2020, Pietreczko achieved his first victory on the Professional Darts Corporation stage, during the 2020 European Darts Grand Prix. In the first round match, he beat Luke Woodhouse by 6–1 in legs, but in the second round match he lost to José de Sousa. In 2021, he participated in the PDC Challenge Tour events.

In January 2022, Pietreczko earned a PDC Tour Card at PDC Q-School by finishing ninth on the European Q-School Order of Merit.{{cite web |title=Fallon Sherrock: 'Queen of the Palace' beaten at Q School, ending hopes of PDC Tour Card |url=https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/12516523/fallon-sherrock-queen-of-the-palace-beaten-at-q-school-ending-hopes-of-pdc-tour-card |website=Sky Sports |access-date=21 November 2024 |date=15 January 2022}} In October, he reached his first semi-final on the PDC Pro Tour at Players Championship 28, a run that included wins over Ryan Meikle, Gabriel Clemens and Ross Smith. He was defeated by Luke Humphries 7–2.{{cite web |date=23 October 2022 |title=Darts results: Josh Rock beats Luke Humphries in Players Championship 28 final |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/news/darts-results-josh-rock-beats-luke-humphries-in-players-championship-28-final/204602 |website=Sporting Life |access-date=5 March 2025}} Pietreczko made his televised PDC debut at the 2022 Players Championship Finals and caused a major upset by beating number one seed Damon Heta 6–5 in the first round.{{cite web |date=25 November 2022 |title=Darts Players Championship: Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith among big-name casualties in Minehead |url=https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/12755411/darts-players-championship-gerwyn-price-and-michael-smith-among-big-name-casualties-in-minehead |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 March 2025}}

In March 2023, Pietreczko reached his second Pro Tour semi-final at Players Championship 8; he defeated Jonny Clayton, Keegan Brown and Ross Smith before losing 7–2 to Krzysztof Ratajski.{{cite web |last=Gorton |first=Josh |date=20 March 2023 |title=Anderson ends title drought with superb PC8 triumph |url=https://www.pdc.tv/news/2023/03/20/anderson-ends-title-drought-superb-pc8-triumph |website=Professional Darts Corporation |access-date=5 March 2025}} At the European Darts Open, he reached the quarter-finals, narrowly losing 6–5 to Rob Cross.{{cite web |last=Gill |first=Samuel |date=26 March 2023 |title=Van Duijvenbode produces superb surge to down Rock as Cross ends Pietreczko's run at European Darts Open |url=https://dartsnews.com/pdc/van-duijvenbode-produces-superb-surge-to-down-rock-as-cross-ends-pietreczkos-run-at-european-darts-open |website=Darts News |access-date=5 March 2025}}

In October, Pietreczko won his first PDC title at the 2023 German Darts Championship – the final event on the 2023 European Tour. Having previously beaten George Killington and Stephen Bunting before a 7–6 win over world number two Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals, he claimed the title by defeating two-time world champion Peter Wright 8–4 in the final without missing a dart at double.{{cite web |date=15 October 2023 |title=Pietreczko beats Wright to claim maiden European Tour title |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/darts/2023/1015/1411061-pietreczko-beats-wright-to-claim-maiden-tour-title/ |website=RTÉ |access-date=5 March 2025 |agency=Press Association}} The victory saw him become the second German player to win a PDC ranking title after Max Hopp, while also securing him qualification for the European Championship.{{cite web |last1=Gorton |first1=Josh |title=Pietreczko's darting dreams come true on historic night in Hildesheim |url=https://www.pdc.tv/news/2023/10/16/pietreczkos-darting-dreams-come-true-historic-night-hildesheim |website=PDC |access-date=21 November 2024 |language=en |date=16 October 2023}}

In his European Championship debut, he won his first-round match 6–3 against defending champion Ross Smith.{{cite web |date=27 October 2023 |title=PDC European Championship Darts: Michael van Gerwen survives scare as Ricardo Pietreczko strikes again |url=https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/12994496/pdc-european-championship-darts-michael-van-gerwen-survives-scare-as-ricardo-pietreczko-strikes-again |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 March 2025}} He was eliminated in the second round, losing 10–7 to Michael van Gerwen.{{cite web |last=Gill |first=Samuel |date=28 October 2023 |title=Michael van Gerwen silences home crowd at European Championship, downs Ricardo Pietreczko to reach Quarter-Finals |url=https://dartsnews.com/pdc/michael-van-gerwen-silences-home-crowd-at-european-championship-downs-ricardo-pietreczko-to-reach-quarter-finals |website=Darts News |access-date=5 March 2025}}

Pietreczko reached the third round of the 2024 PDC World Championship in his PDC World Championship debut campaign. Despite a 3–1 lead over world number three Luke Humphries, he was eliminated from the tournament as Humphries came back to win 4–3.{{cite web |last=Gorton |first=Josh |date=28 December 2023 |title=Humphries survives huge scare, as Dolan puts out Price |url=https://www.pdc.tv/news/2023/12/28/humphries-survives-huge-scare-dolan-puts-out-price |website=Professional Darts Corporation |access-date=5 March 2025}}

In the first event of the 2024 European Tour, the Belgian Darts Open, he reached the semi-finals where he met 2024 World Championship runner-up Luke Littler. Pietreczko was defeated 7–3 but the tie was more remembered for its post-match incident, where Pietreczko confronted Littler unhappily. He later posted on Instagram that he hoped "his [Littler's] arrogance punishes him."{{cite web |last=Braidwood |first=Jamie |date=11 March 2024 |title=Luke Littler confronted by opponent and called ‘arrogant’ after Belgium Open win |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/darts/luke-littler-ricardo-pietreczko-belgium-open-b2510533.html |website=The Independent |access-date=5 March 2025}}{{cite web |date=12 March 2024 |title=Luke Littler addresses Ricardo Pietreczko incident: I am everyone's cup final |url=https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13092750/luke-littler-addresses-ricardo-pietreczko-incident-i-am-everyones-cup-final |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 March 2025}} In September, Pietreczko reached his second European Tour final at the Flanders Darts Trophy after beating Luke Humphries 7–4 to become the first German player to reach two European Tour finals. He was beaten in the final 8–6 by Dave Chisnall.{{cite web |date=8 September 2024 |title=Dave Chisnall wins Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/articles/c5ydeyj2e49o |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 March 2025}}{{cite web |last=Hodge |first=Stuart |date=9 September 2024 |title=Flanders Darts Trophy: Dave Chisnall wins second European title of season in Antwerp to join exclusive list |url=https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13211794/flanders-darts-trophy-dave-chisnall-wins-second-european-title-of-season-in-antwerp-to-join-exclusive-list |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 March 2025}}

Pietreczko made his World Matchplay and World Grand Prix debuts in 2024.{{cite web |last=Gorton |first=Josh |date=3 July 2024 |title=Littler earns Betfred World Matchplay debut as Wade seals Blackpool return |url=https://www.pdc.tv/news/2024/07/03/littler-earns-betfred-world-matchplay-debut-wade-seals-blackpool-return |website=Professional Darts Corporation |access-date=5 March 2025}}{{cite web |last=Gorton |first=Josh |date=29 September 2024 |title=2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix field confirmed |url=https://www.pdc.tv/news/2024/09/29/2024-boylesports-world-grand-prix-field-confirmed |website=Professional Darts Corporation |access-date=5 March 2025}} He was defeated 10–4 in the first round of the World Matchplay by Luke Humphries,{{cite web |date=13 July 2024 |title=Humphries starts World Matchplay with emphatic win |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts/articles/cger9eq59rjo |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 March 2025}} who also eliminated him from the World Grand Prix in the second round.{{cite web |last=Chiu |first=Nigel |date=10 October 2024 |title=World Grand Prix: Luke Humphries and Rob Cross cruise into quarter-finals as Nathan Aspinall loses to Ryan Joyce |url=https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13230967/world-grand-prix-luke-humphries-and-rob-cross-cruise-into-quarter-finals-as-nathan-aspinall-loses-to-ryan-joyce |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 March 2025}}

Pietreczko reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship after victories over Damon Heta and Andrew Gilding.{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Kieran |date=26 October 2024 |title=Ricardo Pietreczko powers past 'Goldfinger' to keep German hopes alive at European Championship in Dortmund |url=https://dartsnews.com/pdc/ricardo-pietreczko-powers-past-goldfinger-to-keep-german-hopes-alive-at-european-championship-in-dortmund |website=Darts News |access-date=5 March 2025}} He was denied a place in the semi-finals by Danny Noppert, who came back from 9–7 down to defeat Pietreczko 10–9 in a deciding leg.{{cite web |date=28 October 2024 |title=Darts results: 250/1 outsider Ritchie Edhouse wins maiden major title at the European Championship |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/news/darts-results-2501-outsider-ritchie-edhouse-wins-maiden-major-title-at-the-european-championship/221418 |website=Sporting Life |access-date=5 March 2025}}

File:Team Germany Darts WC 2025.png at the 2025 PDC World Cup of Darts]]

After defeating Xiaochen Zong 3–0 in the first round of the 2025 World Championship,{{cite web |last=Gill |first=Samuel |date=17 December 2024 |title=Ricardo Pietreczko punishes wasteful Xiaochen Zong to set up Gian van Veen tie at PDC World Darts Championship |url=https://dartsnews.com/pdc/ricardo-pietreczko-punishes-wasteful-xiaochen-zong-to-set-up-gian-van-veen-tie-at-pdc-world-darts-championship |website=Darts News |access-date=5 March 2025}} Pietreczko beat 28th seed Gian van Veen 3–1 to progress to the third round.{{cite web |last1=Colman |first1=Jonty |last2=Matthews |first2=Callum |date=23 December 2024 |title=Cross loses as record number of seeds out of Worlds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/articles/cvg612k9d6ko |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 March 2025}} He then secured a 4–1 victory over 2024 semi-finalist Scott Williams.{{cite web |last=Davies |first=Ben |date=28 December 2024 |title=German fans take over Ally Pally as Scott Williams left ‘surprised’ in Ricardo Pietreczko defeat |url=https://talksport.com/darts/2424409/german-fans-ally-pally-scott-williams-ricardo-pietreczko/ |website=talkSPORT |access-date=5 March 2025}} In the fourth round, he only managed a three-dart average of 78.46 in a 4–0 defeat to Nathan Aspinall.{{cite web |last=Wellens |first=Megan |date=30 December 2024 |title=World Darts Championship: Nathan Aspinall wins 10 legs in a row against Ricardo Pietreczko to book quarter-final spot |url=https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13281683/world-darts-championship-nathan-aspinall-wins-10-legs-in-a-row-against-ricardo-pietreczko-to-book-quarter-final-spot |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 March 2025}}

Pietreczko represented Germany at the PDC World Cup of Darts for the first time, partnering Martin Schindler. The German duo produced a shock 8–4 win against defending champions and tournament favourites England in the second round.{{cite web |last=Hudson |first=Elizabeth |date=14 June 2025 |title=England 'buckled' in World Cup loss to Germany |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts/articles/cn05d0e80nwo |website=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2025}}{{cite web |date=14 June 2025 |title=England crash out of World Cup as Littler and Humphries humbled by Germany |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/14/england-crash-out-of-world-cup-as-luke-littler-and-luke-humphries-humbled |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 June 2025 |agency=PA Media}} They reached the semi-finals of the tournament but were eliminated by eventual champions Northern Ireland.{{cite web |last1=Keogh |first1=Francis |last2=Cartwright |first2=Phil |date=15 June 2025 |title=Northern Ireland lift World Cup with epic last-leg win over Wales |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts/articles/c79e9qe8j8lo |website=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2025}}

• 2024: Third round (lost to Luke Humphries 3–4)
• 2025: Fourth round (lost to Nathan Aspinall 0–4)

BDO

PDC

PDC European Tour

PDC Players Championships

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• {{Dartsdatabase|id=16776|name=Ricardo Pietreczko}}

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:German darts players

Category:Professional Darts Corporation current tour card holders

Category:PDC ranking title winners

Category:PDC World Cup of Darts German team