European Championship 2019 preview and schedule: Thursday 24 October, evening session

In 2018, James Wade rode his luck and displayed that classic killer instinct of his to take the European Championship crown. He's after a repeat, but there are 31 other players who want to end the long European Tour campaign with a lucrative win.

The 2019 European Tour could prove to be a big chapter in Joe Cullen's career. The Rockstar stormed to stage glory at the European Darts Matchplay and will be aiming for a spot in the final, which he came agonisingly close to last year. Mervyn King is a European Championship mainstay, though rarely goes deep into the tournament. He's been effective in recent TV appearances, however.

Dave Chisnall took a title in Denmark this year and could potentially have a go at James Wade, if the World Grand Prix runner-up can overcome Dimitri van den Bergh. Glen Durrant and Ricky Evans meet with the winner of that tasty tie set to play Michael van Gerwen in round two.

It's not often that two former champions meet in round one. 2012 winner Simon Whitlock plays Adrian Lewis, the man who took the title off the Aussie by beating him in the 2013 final. The Wizard likes this tournament; he was runner-up last year and has reached the final day of play more times (five) than he's failed to (four).

Despite the injury problems he's had, Darren Webster has still earned himself a place at the table in Göttingen. The Demolition Man will be gunning for Rob Cross, whose Champions League of Darts appearance wasn't much of a morale boost.

The defending European Championship champion and the tournament favourite both open their title charge on Thursday. James Wade had to battle Martin Schindler and a hostile German crowd in his 2018 opener - a badly out-of-sorts Jonny Clayton is a much more palatable prospect. Michael van Gerwen, back in his trophy-sweeping form, will plan to demolish Ross Smith and move swiftly on.

An Irish derby completes the day's schedule. Last year, William O'Connor had a meltdown against Max Hopp. It wasn't pretty. It was a learning experience for O'Connor, and the Republic of Ireland's World Cup hero is a more serene figure now. His opening challenge is fifth seed Daryl Gurney, who will see his counterpart from south of the Irish divide as a definite hard border between him and round two.

18:15 Joe Cullen v Mervyn King
18:45 Dave Chisnall v Dimitri Van den Bergh
19:15 Glen Durrant v Ricky Evans
19:45 Adrian Lewis v Simon Whitlock
20:15 Rob Cross v Darren Webster
20:45 James Wade v Jonny Clayton
21:15 Michael van Gerwen v Ross Smith
21:45 Daryl Gurney v William O'Connor