There's already been a big casualty at the PDC European Championship.
Though highly fancied before the European Championship kicked off, Ian White is a goner. But Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross and Simon Whitlock were among those who avoided a first round banana skin. Half of the second round ties have been worked out. Now the Friday afternoon session is here, to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Two European Tour finalists kick off the session. Jonny Clayton, winner of the Austrian Darts Open, meets German Darts Championship finalist James Wilson. Then comes a familiar match-up; Darren Webster beat Stephen Bunting in the first round of the PDC World Grand Prix. He'll hope to do the same again in Dortmund.
Gerwyn Price and Kyle Anderson are very closely matched on paper. Like Joe Cullen and Jelle Klaasen, the pair could either serve up a game packed with high scoring, or riddled with errors. Cullen and Klaasen went more to the latter - hopefully it'll be the former for International Darts Open Price and 2017 European Championship semi-finalist Anderson.
Two European Tour finalists kick off the session. Jonny Clayton, winner of the Austrian Darts Open, meets German Darts Championship finalist James Wilson. Then comes a familiar match-up; Darren Webster beat Stephen Bunting in the first round of the PDC World Grand Prix. He'll hope to do the same again in Dortmund.
Gerwyn Price and Kyle Anderson are very closely matched on paper. Like Joe Cullen and Jelle Klaasen, the pair could either serve up a game packed with high scoring, or riddled with errors. Cullen and Klaasen went more to the latter - hopefully it'll be the former for International Darts Open Price and 2017 European Championship semi-finalist Anderson.
Explosive ties
Mensur Suljovic was installed as second-favourite for the title by European Championship sponsors Unibet. His first chance to prove why he's so well backed comes against Cristo Reyes. Then comes a match which could be over in a matter of moments. Even if it is, Daryl Gurney's game with Ricky Evans is likely to be explosive.
A pair of surprise entries meet in the next game. Max Hopp and William O'Connor are very much here on merit. The winner of the tie between the German Darts Open champion and the European Darts Matchplay runner-up will meet Clayton or Wilson in the next round.
A second homegrown hero then steps up in Germany. Martin Schindler takes on Mr Consistency, James Wade. The final game may save the best until last. Adrian Lewis squares up to Dave Chisnall, for the right to play Price or Anderson in the second round.
A pair of surprise entries meet in the next game. Max Hopp and William O'Connor are very much here on merit. The winner of the tie between the German Darts Open champion and the European Darts Matchplay runner-up will meet Clayton or Wilson in the next round.
A second homegrown hero then steps up in Germany. Martin Schindler takes on Mr Consistency, James Wade. The final game may save the best until last. Adrian Lewis squares up to Dave Chisnall, for the right to play Price or Anderson in the second round.
Afternoon session schedule
Jonny Clayton v James Wilson
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price v Kyle Anderson
Mensur Suljovic v Cristo Reyes
Daryl Gurney v Ricky Evans
Max Hopp v William O'Connor
James Wade v Martin Schindler
Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price v Kyle Anderson
Mensur Suljovic v Cristo Reyes
Daryl Gurney v Ricky Evans
Max Hopp v William O'Connor
James Wade v Martin Schindler
Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall
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- @UndartedWaters I totally agree with your thoughts! I totally respect Kirk but in this instance I was disappointed with his lack of crowd control. I even turned to my husband and said "Could you imagine this happening if Russ Bray was the referee tonight? At least there would have been a crowd admonishment- Ladies and Gentleman please." I so felt for Mike DeDecker...MamaVenus15-11-2024
- Many fans had a sour taste in their mouth by the end of this match. Mike was cruising to victory, playing beautiful darts, when the whistling started in earnest, particularly on his doubles. You could see in Mike's face that it was really affecting his concentration. The referee should have asked for order, just to show that the whistling is unacceptable, and Luke Littler could also have done his part to quieten down the crowd instead of "taking full advantage.:" I put that down to his age though. He needs some good advice on this from his management team and/or more seasoned players. It's got to be about who's best on the night, not who is being harassed by the crowd. Luke Littler played well to get back into the game and win, but it was a hollow victory. If he goes on to win the tournament, that triumph too will be tainted because of this match.
UndartedWaters15-11-2024 - Agree. Van der voort will be the one taking a break when he loses his tour card. Everyone saying about how bad Wright's last 18 months have been, and in that time he's won several Euro tours and the European Championships.Matilda6215-11-2024
- When Littler has at least five ranking Majors he’s in the discussion, until then, forget it.Mysstree14-11-2024
- This is the difference between other players and Phil Taylor. Phil would be completely motivated even before his walk on and didn't need anything else to do so.richieburnettrocks14-11-2024