WONDER FIRST WIN FOR CLEMENS

GABRIEL CLEMENS, a German with the Wonderwall walk-on, won his first Players Championship title.

The World No.44 beat Luke Woodhouse 8-6 in Leicester, sealing the victory in style with as 170 Big Fish finish.

Clemens, 42, had previously lost six finals but finally got over the line just 48 hours after Wonderwall was sung by fellow countryman Thomas Tuchel’s England players after their epic win over Mexico in the World Cup.

The former World Championship semi-finalist delivered a solid day, beating Michael van Gerwen and Scott Williams, the latter hitting a perfect leg against him.

He said: “I have lost so many matches in the final and it was in the head. It’s normal. I hope that every day is my day but today was my day.

“I’m very proud and I must say thank you to my wife. They always believe in me and I’m very happy now.

It was the final tournament before the World Matchplay cut-off and Damon Heta and Dave Chisnall squeezed through to Blackpool after picking up wins in a dramatic day at Players Championship 24.

Daryl Gurney’s opening round loss causing the Northern Irishman to miss out for the first time since 2015.

Kevin Doets will make his Winter Gardens debut along with Irish star William O’Connor, Niko Springer and Niels Zonneveld also making his first outing in Blackpool.

Words by Phil Lanning.

Image by Taylor Lanning.