Photo: PDC Nordic & Baltic/Zanis Buklovskis
After years away Jani Haavisto came back into the spotlight ahead of this season, and with a Nordic and Baltic Pro Tour title and a World Cup participation he is ready to fight for the Jann Hoffmann Trophy.
Eight Nordic and Baltic Pro Tour titles tell it all. Jani Haavisto is among the group of the most successful players in the PDC Nordic & Baltic through time.
However seven of the titles were won before 2015. After years away from the oche on the Nordic and Baltic Pro Tour, the Finn made his comeback this year and it was not without nerves.
“It’s been awesome to be back. Naturally, I was nervous at first because the level of play is really high. It’s been great getting to know all the players and meeting up with old friends from years back,” Haavisto tells pdc-nordic.tv.
After winning the second event of the year, bringing his total to eight Nordic and Baltic Pro Tour titles, Jani Haavisto also got to represent Finland alongside Jonas Masalin at the World Cup of Darts this summer in Frankfurt.
“I was surprised that I got to take part in that tournament. It was nice playing with Jonas. Unfortunately, the tournament ended so soon for us.”
For a handfull of years the profiles of Finnish darts has been names such as Marko Kantele and Kim Viljanen, however with new titleholders this season in Mio Varila and Petri Rasmus new times are maybe ahead for Finnish darts.
“The standard in Finland has been steadily rising. Many more strong players have emerged. There is a major darts boom in Finland right now, and I believe even more top-level players are on the way,” Jani Haavisto tells.
For now Jani Haavisto, however, has set his eyes on the Jann Hoffmann Trophy.
“Of course winning that tournament is the main goal right now. All 24 players are there to win the tournament and they are all good players, so the games will be tough.”
Jani Haavisto will be starting his tournament Saturday afternoon against the loser of the game between Jonas Sørensen and Rickard Johansson.
