Marcel Hausotter secured his maiden European Tour victory in dramatic fashion, defeating darts legend Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 at the German Darts Grand Prix 2026 at Zenith Munich on Saturday evening. The Berlin native, in his third attempt at a European Tour win, described the moment as a career highlight after over two decades in the sport, with his relief and joy evident as he celebrated in disbelief post-match.
In an exclusive interview with DartsNews (YouTube), Hausotter expressed his elation, stating, "Super, really great. Honestly, it was an amazing crowd—they supported me a lot, and I'm just happy." He credited the Munich fans for playing a decisive role, noting their chants of "Hausi" and emphasizing, "Everything, really. I just wanted to have fun, and this time I took everything in." This shift in perspective helped him relax on stage, contrasting with his previous nerve-filled appearances.
Reflecting on facing five-time world champion van Barneveld, Hausotter acknowledged the significance, saying, "Of course, definitely. He's a legend," while adding, "I also knew he hasn't been at his very best recently. Still, he played very well at the last World Championship, so I think I was a bit lucky that he let me into the game." He ranked this win highly in his career, placing it "almost number one" after 22 years in darts.
With little time to rest, Hausotter now looks ahead to a Sunday match against Jonny Clayton, approaching it without added pressure. He remarked, "I'm just happy to be back on stage again with him. I'll just enjoy it," showcasing his newfound relaxed mindset following this landmark achievement.
