Nathan Aspinall calls World Darts Championship rival ‘odd’ as he makes very brave comment | Other | Sport
Nathan Aspinall has laid down the gauntlet to last-16 opponent Ricardo Pietreczko after progressing in the PDC World Championship. ‘The Asp’ overcame Andrew Gilding 4-0 to make the fourth-round for the first time since 2020, setting up a clash with the German star after he knocked out Scott Williams.
And in his post-match press conference, Aspinall not only labelleled his next opponent “odd,” but also bravely pledged to win the match between the pair.
“He’s an odd character, that’s all I can say,” said Aspinall. “He keeps himself to himself, he brings his partner with him everywhere, I don’t really speak to him, I don’t really know much about his life.
“I played him in a Grand Slam that time and it was very odd, the way he performed on the stage because he got booed the game before. But look, I don’t really care what he’s like I’m gpoing out there to smash him on the dart board and I know I’m gping to have to be at my best to beat him”
And Aspinall also envisages a memorable crowd occasion as the pair battle for a quarter-final place. “I think in that venue on Monday it will be electric,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be more football than darts if I’m deadly honest with you, you know, it’s England Germany. But listen I know I’ll go out there and I’ll beat him, and that’s all I got to do.”
And he further risked upsetting his opponent by admitting he didn’t even expect him to win on Saturday. “I actually thought I was going to play Scott if I’m deadly honest with you,” he said.
“I was actually trying to think of a way to deal with his flying 180’s, because that would’ve grated on me. But obviously he got beat, so look, I think it’s going to be maybe 60-40 English in there now (the crowd). Although I don’t know the ticket sales obviously.”
There should be no shortage of entertainment if both their earlier contests are anything to go by. During his win over Gilding, Aspinall actually halted proceedings to watch a fan attempt to ‘chug’ a four-pint jug of beer.
The fan was later thrown out as boos rang out in the background, causing the 33-year-old to momentarily lose concentration as he tried to set-up a match winning double. After laughing, he did regain his focus to seal matters at the next visit.
Pietreczko meanwhile, who benefited from a lot of support against Williams, addressed the crowd during his post-match Sky Sports interview. He asked Stuart Pyke: “Can I say something in German?” before proceeding to speak his native language over the microphone.
The 30-year-old is now the only player from his country left in the tournament. Unlike Aspinall, a two-time semi-finalist at Ally Pally, he has never before played a last-16 match in the World Championship.
