University of Gloucestershire darts player Alfie Element has revealed that he’s “not looking forward” to his upcoming UOGWC semi-final fixture against Keelan Hills.
The pair previously met in the group stage of the competition, and Hills beat Element 3-1 in an immense upset and was the favourite’s only slip up as he finished second in Group A.
Element said: “I’m not exactly looking forward to it.
“Normally I look forward to every darts game, but on Wednesday night I think I’m going to struggle a bit.
“It’s a bit of a I don’t know how he’s playing and he doesn’t know how I’m playing, so I’m going into it totally blind.
“But you know, today I’m going to spend more time on the board to try and get some hours in to practice and get ready.”
As Element is the betting favourite, he wants to match the expectations that are laid out and wants to finish the tournament with another trophy under his belt.
He said: “I’ll obviously try my best in the night to try and come away with a win and then prepare myself for the final which I should hopefully get to, that’s my aim.
“I’m not here to just do the group stage, I want to win it again – I want to be the two time winner.”
Reflecting onto the loss against ‘The Monster’, he believes that he has a point to prove, and the power of the crowd could help spur him towards a precious final spot.
He admitted: “I was unlucky in the last game, it could have gone either way.
“Realistically I started off the game with a 20 dart leg and should have had a better chance.
“I was really feeling it, the pressure was on a bit because there was eight boys sat around watching and a crowd always helps people.
“I love it when there’s a bit of a crowd and a bit of atmosphere in the background – I thrive on it.
“I just couldn’t perform but moving onto Wednesday night, I am fancying myself to win this.
“Don’t get me wrong, he played outstanding against me but based off my performance last night, I really think I can come away with a win.”
