Players Championship 15 & 16 Barnsley12-13 June

Not much to say about this weekend more then I played good but lost. Saturday lost first round against Martyn Turner with 6-5 missed about 3 darts to win.

Sunday I draw Ronnie Baxter in first round and if I just had hit those doubles it would have been a great game. But missed in the first 5 legs so I lost with 6-1.

Well well just back on practice board and soon very soon I will take it up one level. Pretty sure about that.

Next stop Haarlem and straight from there to Vegas

UK Open Final, Reebook Stadium, Bolton 3-6 June

Time to go to Reebook Stadium, Bolton, England for the 2010 UK OPEN Final.

96 Professionals + 32 Rileys Qualifier and 10 BDO invites. Makes it a total of 138 players who wants to win and show what they can do. Lots of spectators that will follow the 4 day event. It starts out with 8 stages with one main stage and one medium stage and 6 smaller stages and everyone can follow the matches real close if they want to. Every stage has a Sky Sports camera and a cameraman and if you play good you might end up live in Sky Sports TV. Which I did.

We arrived on the Wednesday and we stayed in a small village named Lostock just one station from the Reebook Stadium. It was a lovely B & B run by a lovely woman and her daughter of age 4. Fabulous room with our own balcony over seeing the landscapes, very beautiful. Every morning she made us a full English breakfast and serves us at the table and her daughter had her breakfast with us so it felt very familiar and house warm. Next year when I qualify for the UK open again we will stay there again for sure.

Thursday we went up to the venue pretty early so I could start practicing for my game. Felt very good. Unfortunately it’s so many players on Thursday so your guest weren’t allowed in before 6 in the venue and the matches started at 7. So my guest Ingela and my Sponsors from A180 Dave and Karl Holden had to sit in the local pub while I was practising. But I practiced for a while then joined them before going to the players lounge again.

Tonight’s match was against Steve Farmer a former national team player for England but I felt really good and I was determent to win this game. I started very steady and took a 2-0 lead and it felt so good. But missed a couple of darts in wrong places so instead of keeping the lead I found my self 5-2 down. Steve played very good and so did I so it was a fun game to play. When I realised what was happening I told my self to shape up and stop missing the last darts and it helped. I pulled back to 5-5 with a great performance and in the deciding leg I missed 141 for the match and he could check it out on his last dart and once more I found myself loosing with 6-5. But I must say thanks to Steve for a great match and I’m looking forward to a rematch someday.

It feels like I’m very close now to take the next step up the ladder getting more solid and consistent by the day and soon the marginals will be on my side and good thing will happen for me, I’m sure of it.

We stayed and watch the rest of the tournament and had a great stay with old and new friends. Will specially mention John Price and his friends, hope to meet up someday over a pint.

Next stop Barnsley.

Players Championship 13 & 14 Salzburg, Austria 12-17 May

This time we, me and Ingela left on Wednesday so we could celebrate her birthday on Thursday in Salzburg before the tournament started on Saturday. We had a couple of good days with good food, good drinks and a great look of the town. The weather was not the best but with everything else being good it doesn’t matter. Had a couple of hours practicing in my room everyday. Got one of Unicorns On Tour Portable Door Hanging System with me. Must say it works really well.

Saturday and time for the tournament. More then 230 participant, hmm. Got Steve Hine in first round and didn’t play like I should so lost that match. Must be more focus when I play on Saturdays seems like I haven’t got my brain with me the first day. Going to change that for sure. The evening we spent downtown watching The Salzburg football team being celebrated for being the champions this year in Austrian league.

Sunday and new hopes for a good run. Got first round today again this time my opponent was Bernd Roith. I open the game very good and I was in command the hole time but missing a couple of doubles so I was letting him back in the game all the time. So it became 5-5 and I had one double from 110 but missed and he checked out and won the game. Another 6-5 lost it will turn soon. He played very steady and didn’t do many mistakes so all the best to Bernd.

Back home on Monday and this time I’m actually going to be home for 2 hole weekends in a row before going to Bolton for the UK Open.

Qualified for the UK Open Final 3-6 June, Reebok Stadium Bolton

I´m one out of a total of 96 professional players who have qualified for the Sky Sports-televised UK Open Finals, which will be held at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton from June 3-6.

The top 32 players enter the UK Open, nicknamed 'The FA Cup of Darts' at the Third Round stage on Friday June 4.

However, the tournament -unique for the free draw format which means top players can be drawn together at any stage -begins on Thursday June 3 with the Preliminary Round, First Round and Second Round. The Preliminary and First Rounds feature the players ranked from 65-96 in the UK Open Order of Merit, who are joined by the 32 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers and ten BDO County representatives. The Second Round will feature the First Round's 32 winners alongside the players ranked from 33-64 in the UK Open Order of Merit, who include 2004 UK Open champion Roland Scholten, Wayne Mardle, Peter Manley and the totesport.com Players Championship winner Paul Nicholson. The 96 professionals are joined in the UK Open by 32 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers, who have won through knockout qualifiers held in Rileys Darts Zones around the UK, and the BDO County representatives. The draw for the Preliminary Round, First Round Second Round will be made on Thursday May 13 and published at http://www.pdc.tv/. The Third Round draw will be made at the close of play in the Second Round on Thursday June 3 in Bolton. Tickets for the UK Open cost from 20 and are available by calling 0844 871 2932 or by visiting the Reebok Stadium Box.

Players Championship & UK Open Qualifier 8 Wigan 8-9 May

Had company this weekend, Ingela came along. Always nicer when she comes along. We flew in on Friday to Liverpool and was picked up by Karl A180 Darts dad and he took us back to St. Helens were we stayed for the weekend. Went to Woodland were I been before playing darts for a couple of pints and just relaxing.

Saturday morning we bought breakfast at Subways, a foot long BLT on our way to the venue. Tasted so good. Got a first round draw today against Nigel Heydon, Was a real good game but I lost with 6-4. But the game is getting more solid and I’m just waiting for me to take the step to the next level, it feels very close now.

After the tournament we had a great meal at the Chinese in St. Helens. The Beijing Duck so tasty.

Sunday back to the venue and draw Jelle Klaasen in first round. I have no idea what happened but played my worst game on the circuit ever and lost 6-0. It was a real bad day at work.

After that we went to watch the last County game for the season. It was Cheshire against Hampshire. Cheshire had the chance to win the total league. Some of the players were Darryl Fitton, Tony O´shea, Gary Robson and Stephen Bunting the all played for Cheshire county. The total team was 6 ladies and 12 men. They played all the games on stage, one by one and they managed to win the total. Well done.

Going back on Monday and leaving again on Wednesday for Salzburg. Hard life, not.

Players Championship & UK Open Qualifier 7 Wigan 24-25

This weekend I stayed in S:t Helens and got a lift back and forth to the venue. Saturday I had Robbie Newland in first round and I won with 6-3. Second round I played Gary Anderson, played a solid game and I lost with 6-1 but the scores is not always fare to the game.

After the tournament I was going to watch my first real rugby game between S:t Helens and Leeds. S:t Helens nickname is “The Saints” and which I liked a lot cause my football team supporters used to be called “ The blue Saints. Real fun and it is a real tough game for sure. S:t Helens won so everyone went out for a couple of extra pints.

Sunday I drew Steve Brown and we both played a really good game. Lost the game at 4-4 he was standing at 106 and I on 231. I threw my fourth 180 in the game to leave 51 and put the pressure on him. But this time he didn’t miss and I got a bad start in the 10 leg so he won with 6-4. He won the board after that.

Monday time to come back to Sweden after a couple of good weeks of darts and good food and one or two pints. Glad I stayed otherwise I would have been stranded in Sweden because of the volcano ash clouds

Next tournament is in Wigan as well and Ingela is coming with me always more fun when she comes along.

Players Championship & UK Open Qualifier 6 Derby 17-18 April

Friday I left to go to Derby. Arrived pretty early slept a couple of hours before I went to the pub Coronation were they were going to have a tournament with £500 to the winner. Last year I lost the final against Colin Osbourne and I had promised myself not to let that happen twice. It didn’t, lost in the quarters against David Ladley and the winner this time was Andy Hamilton.

Saturday I was up early feeling good and started my walk to the venue about 8.30. Had breakfast when I arrived and then I started to practice. Got Kevin Painter in first round and I played a good game had a good chance to take the lead with 3-1 but missed and Kevin turned the match around. He won with 6-3.

Sunday I started the same way like I did yesterday. Today I got Steve Grubb in first round and we both are chasing a spot in the UK Open final. We both started a little bit week but I got control over my game and could win with 6-2. Second round I played Peter Hudson. I played a real good and consistent game and I won the match with 6-2. Third round and board final I had Barrie Bates. Won against him last time we played but he was little bit stronger then me this time and he won with 6-1. Hopefully I secured my spot to the UK Open final today. One more tournament to go.

Ended the night with a large pepperoni pizza in my room.

Tomorrow I going back to S:t Helens for another week of practice and good company.
Played on Woodland on Thursday again and almost everyone from last Thursday was there. This time I didn’t loos, played steady and won the tournament.

Players Championship & UK Open Qualifier 5 Barnsley 10-11 April

Flew in to Liverpool on Friday and took the train from there to Wombwell, closest train station to the Premier Inn were I was going to stay for the weekend. Arrived about 22.30 after a 40 minutes walk from the station. Checked in and had a couple of quick pints before I went to bed.

Saturday I shared taxi with Robert T, Mark W and Rigsby was to far to walk arrived at the venue around 9 and started to practice. Got first round against Dylon Duo today unfortunately I lost after a tight game with 6-3. The evening we went in to Barnsley to eat Chinese food. Was me, Mark W, Rigsby, Brendan D and we were joined by a couple of more players. Food was great. After that we hooked up with Paul N and went out for a couple of pints. Real nice evening.

Sunday and time for a qualifier for the UK open. Got Tony Ayres in first round and lost 6-3 again. Not a good weekend for results but it was a good weekend overall. Sunday night me and Brendan D went back to the Chinese for some food and we ended the night in the hotel bar with Ronnie B listening to music and jokes and of course couple of pints of lager and cider.

Leaving Monday for S:t Helens were I was going to stay between the next 2 tournaments,
was picked up by Karl and Dawn Holden from A180 darts. Week was good and I had a great time. Played a local tournament on Thursday at Woodlands £100 to the winner, lost in semi-final against David Chisnall who ended the game with a 9 darter, well done and with his new darts as well.

Players Championship & UK Open Qualifier 4 Crawley 20-21 Mars

This weekend I had a travel companion, my lovely girlfriend Ingela. We were going to Crawley and we flew in to Gatwick on Friday night took the train from there and the third stop was Crawley. A quick walk in the rain and we found our home for the weekend. The Grange Hotel, real nice hotel and about a 20 minute walk from the venue. On the way to Crawley we talked about what we wanted to eat when we arrived and we both decided to try to find an Indian cuisine. When we checked in we realised that the hotel restaurant was Indian. We ate there both Friday and Saturday night, real good food.

Saturday morning up at 7 and down for breakfast, full English breakfast was on the menu a great start of the day. Walked to the venue, were there around 9 had a good practice and it felt good. Got prelim against Darren Webster lost 6-1, end of story. We stayed the hole day cause Ingela loves watching darts. The final was played between Barrie Bates and Dennis Ovens. Barrie won with 6-5 but Dennis had a couple of match darts. Lesson of the day, hit the doubles.

Sunday I got prelim again and this time it was Andy Fordham who was my opponent. Never played him before. I won 6-3. Next game was against Alex Roy played him once so I new what I needed to do. I played steady didn’t miss any doubles and took the lead with 5-0 and don’t ask what happened but I lost 6-5. Missed darts for the match so it doesn’t feel good.

It’s a break now before the next on in Barnsley 10-11 April and I think that’s good, I need that to work on the mental thing, don’t be afraid to win. And take a week of from darts just have fun.

Players Championship & UK Open Qualifier 3 Wigan 13-14 Mars

Flew in to Liverpool on Friday afternoon and from there I took the train to Wigan. From the train station I walked to my hotel for the weekend the Coaching In Hotel got a nice room and full English breakfast in the morning if you wanted. The staff was very friendly. On the evening I went out and bought some chicken chow main that I brought back to my room, it was delicious.

Saturday morning I walked to the venue. It was my first time in Wigan so I made a couple of wrong turns so the walk took about an hour and I was at the venue by 9.30.
Had a good warm-up and I got Mark Frost in the prelim. I played a solid game but he played awesome and I lost with 6-0. Left double a couple of times but his finishing was perfect. Stayed at the venue most of the day, did some practising and watched a couple of games before I went to the hotel.

Sunday morning I walked again, I had my backpack on me but I knew the way so it only took 45 minutes this time and I was first at the venue at 8.45. The walk was by a channel, most of it was drained and not that nice but a part of it was really nice. Had a good practice again and met my sponsor face to face for the first time Karl and Dawn from A180 darts. Such nice people. Today’s draw I had Colin Monk in first round and the game was OK, lost 6-5 and it felt ………. Going to work on the Mental thing more, that’s what going to take me to next level.

Sunday night I had a nice dinner with Karl and Dawn and their two friends Chris and Andrew, my friends now for sure as well. Then I got a lift to my hotel at the Liverpool airport so I got like 4 hours sleep before my flight back at 6.35 am.

Next stop is Crawley next weekend and this time Ingela is coming with me. Me like that.

Players Championship Gladbeck 6-7 Mars

Time for a weekend in Gladbeck Germany. Flew on Friday morning from Arlanda in to Düsseldorf via Riga, never used that route before and another airport I can put on my list of airport used. Friday evening I stayed in my room at Stadt-Hotel and just took it easy and read my book.

Saturday I had a 40 minute walk to the venue and were there 8.45 so plenty of time for warming up and preparing myself. I was not first at the venue which normally opens the door at 9 am, this time we were about 10 players. The draw was up after 12, cause they had a little delay and I had drawn Dave Ahmet in first round. Played steady and won with 6-0 and time to meet Gary Anderson for the first time. Continued to play solid darts, was 2-1 up missed double and Gary checked out 120. Then I missed at least 3 darts for 3-2 and of course Gary took his chance and another high checkout. So instead of being 4-1 up I was 3-2 down and unfortunately I lost the game with 6-2 but my scoring is good now I just have to remember that it is the doubles that wins the game..

Sunday I took a taxi instead of walking only because I was late. Got a prelim game against Kevin Munch and lost 6-2 I know what I’m going to practise this week and all other week from now on. Next stop Wigan.

Players Championship & UK Open Qualifier 2 Derby 27-28 February

In the Players Championship on Saturday I lost against Terry Jenkins with 6-4 in first round not much to say about that. Terry went to the final where he lost against Phil Taylor.

Sunday and the Second UK Open Qualifier, I had a prelim game wich I lost against Peter Hudson with 6-2 not one of the best game I´ve played.

Germany and Gladbeck next weekend.

Players Championship Swindon 20-21 February

Travelled to Swindon this weekend and it took me 14 hours door to door. Missed my connection in Frankfurt because the flight was delayed in Stockholm due to the snow and cold weather. Not fun when that happens.

For the first time in the PDC the event was going to have voluntary markers for the matches and almost every board had one, I think 14 out of 16 boards had a marker both on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to all the markers and to Dave Ahmet who started this I think it was on the Stars of Darts forum. Great initiative and hopefully the beginning of something great.

Back to my game, lost to James Wade on Saturday in first round with 6-0 not fun. Had a chance to take out 130 in first leg in 15 darts in my serve. And I had one more shot on a double later but that was it. James made 6 legs and all were 15 or under. I think he wanted to punish me for our last meeting when I shot for the match but lost 6-5.

Sunday I had Tony Eccles in first round and I won with 6-5. Had darts to make it 6-4 but missed. Managed to break his serve in the deciding leg. Next game was against Alex Roy and I think I had the lead with 2-0 then he broke back and he started 3 or 4 of the last legs with a 180 and he won the match with 6-3.

Overall I played steady and my form is getting better and better. Next stop is Derby next weekend.

Once more thanks to Dave and all the markers, great work.

Players Championship Gibraltar 6-7 February

Home after playing a doubleheader in Gibraltar this weekend. Started on Saturday and was drawn against Steve Grubb in prelim. Was 0-2 down but turned it around to 3-2 up and missed 3 darts to go 4-2 up. After that I lost my game totally and Steve was the stronger and more focused player that game so I lost with 6-4.

Sunday morning after a nice Saturday evening in Gibraltar with Ingela I was back at the venue 9 am to meet Paul Nicholson for a training session both at the board and mentally. After a while Robert Thornton joined. So after a real good training session I was feeling real good. First match of the day was against Danny Peach, I started out little bit shaky but I got the game sorted out and won with 6-1. Time to meet Jamie Caven for the first time and I played solid not many mistakes. The mistakes I did was to miss 2 darts for a 6-3 win and Jamie came back to 5-5. And missed to more darts in the deciding leg for the match and left 12, Jamie then had a shot for the match from +100 something but missed and I put in the second dart for the game. A real good win and I played the dart I knew I could after all my problems with my shoulder. Feels good to be back.

Board final against Denis Ovens was a great game also even though I lost with 6-2. I played same good darts that I played against Jamie but Denis was on fire I missed a couple of shots to even the game up but Denis did not do any mistakes. He took out a couple of +100 outs when I stood waiting to check out and he ended the match in the same way, 127 out. Denis ended up winning the Sunday tournament and I was not surprised. Well done and all the best to you Denis.

Next stop is Swindon in two weeks. Already looking forward to it.

GUESTBOOK REOPENS

Finally I fixed my guestbook, even though it took more then a year. I´m glad to reopen it again. Feel free to post your messages there.

All the best Pär

NEWSPAGE OPENS

Here I will write about my tournaments with results and everything around it, hopefully when I am on the road. Will try to publish my photos as well. Other news about me and my darts will be posted here as well. First tournament will be in Gibraltar 6-7 february.

Welcome back Pär