German Darts Open Preview: Day One, Afternoon Session

The seeds, including six of the eight remaining Premier League Darts stars, don't feature until Saturday. The packed Saarbrucken crowd will just have to make do with 16 thrilling ties, featuring both established top professionals and local heroes. Eight of those matches make up the afternoon session in the German Darts Open. Featuring on the bill are two former world finalists, two German representatives and more than a couple of exciting prospects. Last year featured plenty of surprises, like Ian White thrashing Michael van Gerwen in the quarter finals (the pair could meet at the same stage this year) and Benito van de Pas making it to the final. If 2018 offers the same, we're in for a treat.
The afternoon session opens with 2008 World Championship runner-up Kirk Shepherd featuring in his first European Tour event since last year's Dutch Darts Masters. He won't have long to wait for his next showing, however. Shepherd has secured a spot at the European Darts Grand Prix in May. For now though, all his focus is on overcoming a tricky opponent. Simon Stevenson is often electric in floor events, and it's only a matter of time before his talent is made apparent on the big stage. The second tie is another all-English affair. Steve West takes on Matthew Edgar, who he defeated in the last 32 of the UK Open. The third tie promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Veteran and cult hero Terry Jenkins meets the feisty Scot, Cameron Menzies, whose brilliant performance in sealing a spot here makes him one to watch.
Two European Tour debutants meet in the next match. Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven and German Tobias Muller both won through qualifying on Thursday. They make their bow on stage, with a second round tie against Jelle Klaasen at stake. In another all-European meeting, the ever-consistent Jan Dekker takes on Swedish ace Daniel Larsson. The German fans have high hopes for Rene Eidams, who kicks off against 'Tricky' Ricky Williams. In the stand-out clash of the session, Richard North faces Danny Noppert for the right to meet van Gerwen in the second round. Jose Antonio Justicia Perales might be best known for his altercation with Adrian Lewis, but the Spaniard has been making the most of earning a Tour Card on the oche. He meets Luke Woodhouse in the final match of the session.
All the action is live on PDC TV, with play commencing at 12pm.

Simon Stevenson v Kirk Shepherd Matthew Edgar v Steve West Terry Jenkins v Cameron Menzies Maik Kuivenhoven v Tobias Muller Jan Dekker v Daniel Larsson Rene Eidams v Ricky Williams Richard North v Danny Noppert Jose Justicia v Luke Woodhouse