It was a landmark day in the career of Team Unicorn Latvian star Madars Razma.
He turned 30 this week and celebrated by winning through to the Players Championship Final in Dublin on Friday. Razma enjoyed a magical day before he was edged out by German ace Max Hopp 6-3 at the City West Hotel.
It was his first PDC final but the £6,000 prize money he earned has taken Razma to the cusp of World Championship qualification through the Pro Tour Order of Merit.
He must like the Irish air! 12 months ago Madars reached a PC semi-final in Dublin and on Friday he saw off Michael van Gerwen en route!
The day started with a 6-2 win over Peter Hudson. He then beat Danny Noppert 6-4 and Gerwyn Price 6-3 before winning a last leg decider in an all Unicorn clash with Ronny Huybrechts in the last 16.
His brilliant victory over Van Gerwen came in the quarter finals with Razma winning 6-5 after leading 4-1.
He completed a 6-2 semi-final win over Andrew Gilding to set up the final showdown with Hopp.
From three legs apiece, Hopp took control but the Latvian will rue six missed doubles to make it 4-4 and that was the turning point.
Elsewhere, Gary Anderson was edged out 6-5 by Van Gerwen in the last 16. The Unicorn star missed a dart at the bull in the decider. It was another brilliant match between the pair.
And Van Gerwen was one of two players to hit 9
Darters on the day. His came in a 6-2 win over Team Unicorn’s Kyle Anderson, while youngster George Killington hit the other.
Story by STUART PYKE
Image courtesy PDC
