The 50-year-old cult-hero bagged a brilliant success over Ricardo Pietreczko and can now clinch a Tour card with last eight place
Photos taken during the 2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.
Awesome Andreas Harrysson made history at the Ally Pally as he stormed into the fourth round.
At the same time, the bearded hero moved just a solitary win away from a life-changing spot on the full-time PDC Tour. Harrysson became the first Swedish-born player to reach the last 16 of the Paddy Power World Championship with his stunning 4-2 win over Ricardo Pietreczko.
The Scandinavian star wowed the crowds with his display and left the German on the floor with a devastating burst to go from 2-2 to winning in the two blistering final sets which included a spectacular 164 finish to edge to the winning line. It was a magnificent moment for the 50-year-old who makes window frames as a full-time job in his homeland.
However, should he beat Jonny Clayton in the next match, he’ll move into the World’s Top 64 automatically and seal a place on the main PDC circuit for the next two years. It’s a staggering opportunity for Harrysson who may now have a decision to make on his future if he sinks the Welshman.
With his dazzling walk-on and his bucket hat on display during the tournament, the Swede has caught the imagination of the Ally Pally fans. He’s been described as a showman, but stated prior to the clash with Pietreczko that he wasn’t keen on the limelight.
Photos taken during the 2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.
Former World Champion Mark Webster enthused on Sky over Harryson and said: “The draw has opened, but he opened it up himself by taking out the number 12 seed, Ross Smith and he’s been consistent, he looks comfortable up there, Ricardo kept coming back at him, but he looks unflappable, doesn’t he?
“In the 16, that’s £60,000 prize money? He’s performing really well and he’s got to be pleased with his efforts, “He looks settled from the word go and he’ll pose more than a threat to Johnny Clayton in the next round and this is what this tournament’s about and particularly with the additional places, the additional prize money, you can change your careers and he’s on the brink of doing that.
“You can fall into that trap after beating Ross Smith, he’s kind of become a favourite, he was a favourite in the previous round, but you’ve got to deal with that expectancy. He’ll have his friends and family around him going: Look, you can do this, but you’ve got to go up there and perform and he deserved to win that game, looks really comfortable and will be a threat to Jonny.
“If he gets it, great, I don’t think that’s at the forefront of his mind, whatever the outcome against Jonny, I think he’ll be content with that. If he goes to Q School, tries and gets it, brilliant. He’s still in the World Championship and just how comfortable he looks on a big stage, he looks at home and it will be an intriguing match with Jonny, And Jonny can’t underestimate him.”
