Swedish darts fans have waited a long time for a hero to emerge at the sport’s grandest stage. Now, in a story few could have predicted, Andreas Harrysson has shattered the glass ceiling for his nation at the 2025 PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace—better known as Ally Pally—by becoming the first Swedish-born player to reach the last 16. The 50-year-old qualifier from Målilla has not only made history but is now on the verge of an even greater achievement as he prepares to face Welsh star Jonny Clayton in a high-stakes quarter-final. The fairytale, it seems, is far from over.
For many outside the Scandinavian darts scene, Harrysson’s rise might appear sudden—a bolt from the Nordic blue. Yet, those who have followed his career know this moment has been years, even decades, in the making. Long before the PDC spotlight found him, Harrysson was grinding away on the BDO circuit, representing Sweden at World and Europe Cups, and quietly building a reputation as a formidable competitor across Northern Europe. His journey included appearances on the Euro Tour, such as the 2020 International Darts Open, the 2021 Gibraltar Darts Trophy, and last year’s Belgian Open. In 2024, he underlined his quality by capturing two Challenge Tour titles and a MODUS Super Series crown, including a major Double Trouble week. Achievements like these don’t come by accident—they’re the result of relentless dedication and skill.
Despite this pedigree, few expected Harrysson to make such a deep run at Ally Pally this year. Even topping the Nordic and Baltic Tour Order of Merit in 2025—a serious accomplishment—didn’t put him on many dark-horse radars. His season had offered little hint of what was to come: an early exit at the Winmau Masters to Martin Lukeman and a respectable UK Open showing that ended against Dominik Gruellich. Solid, yes, but hardly the stuff of headlines. Yet, as the saying goes, form is temporary, but class is permanent.
Harrysson’s breakthrough came with a stunning victory over Ricardo Pietreczko, a PDC title winner, to book his spot in the last 16. The Swede himself acknowledges the magnitude of the achievement. “Absolutely, yes. It must be. It feels great. It was only in my dreams to get to reach the last 16,” Harrysson said, reflecting on what he now considers the biggest success of his career. According to him, belief and experience have been the keys: “I didn’t really try before. The last 10 years I really tried and I got a lot of experience, so I know I’m believing myself now. I think that’s the big point.”
It’s a remarkable admission from a player who only began taking darts seriously at age 40. “I’m over the moon. It’s great. I couldn’t imagine this. In my dreams, yeah. But no, not really. I know I got a tough first one, so I felt like I would be really happy if I get through that,” Harrysson told reporters, his laid-back demeanor belying the magnitude of his accomplishment. He added, “I should be nervous on stage, but I wasn’t really. I was just thinking keep getting my sets so I can maybe get to the decider. I still think I can play better.”
Indeed, Harrysson’s calm on the oche has been a defining feature of his run. While his opponent Pietreczko displayed plenty of animation, the Swede remained unflappable. “I didn’t really look at what he did, so I didn’t know when he was getting nervous, but I know what he can do. He can check out everything and he did that a couple of times. I just thought, why did he do that? It was a great check out, so I just congratulated him. I’m quite a calm person, so yeah,” Harrysson said, offering a glimpse into his composed mindset.
Now, with a quarter-final against Jonny Clayton looming, Harrysson sits on the cusp of an even greater prize. A victory would propel him into the top 64 of the PDC rankings and secure a coveted Tour Card for the next two years—an opportunity that would allow him to go full-time on the circuit. “Yeah, it will be lovely. I’m really looking forward to that. It’s going to be great. Hope I can improve more. I’m just going to go in and do my stuff and, hopefully, I can play really good and then we’ll see,” Harrysson said of the prospect of facing Clayton. He added, “He’s a lovely player. I used to cheer on him when I looked at darts at home. He seems like a lovely guy. I haven’t talked to him so much.”
Harrysson knows what’s at stake—not only in terms of personal achievement but for Swedish darts as a whole. “I mean, of course, I’ve been looking to it [rankings] before and see what I have to do to don’t have to go to Q school. I hope I can play good and do my stuff and give him a game. Hopefully I will win. I think I can play really good on tour.” The chance to bypass the grueling Q School and secure his place among the sport’s elite is now within touching distance.
Despite the historic run, Harrysson remains grounded about his chances of lifting the title. “Well, that’s always in your back head, but I don’t know. Not yet. We’ll see. I believe in myself, but maybe only in my dreams, but now it’s getting closer and closer, so we’ll see.” His humility and realism have only endeared him further to fans, both in Sweden and beyond.
Harrysson’s story is a testament to the hidden depth of darts—a sport where elite-level quality can emerge from unexpected places and at any age. With all the attention often focused on young phenoms like Luke Littler, Josh Rock, and Gian Van Veen, it’s easy to overlook those who find their stride later in life. Harrysson embodies the idea that opportunity can come at any stage, especially as life’s responsibilities shift and new doors open.
As he prepares for the biggest match of his career, Harrysson carries the hopes of a nation and the admiration of the darts world. Whether or not he advances further, his journey has already rewritten the history books for Swedish darts and inspired a new generation of players. The World Championship is famous for its fairytales, and this one—beard, belief, and all—might just be the most captivating yet.
With the action ongoing and all eyes on Ally Pally, Swedish fans and darts enthusiasts everywhere will be watching closely as Harrysson steps up to the oche once more. The dream lives on, and for now, so does the possibility of an even greater chapter in this Scandinavian Cinderella story.
