Awesome Anderson flies past Van Gerwen to reach last 8 at European Championship 2024

Gary Anderson has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championship in Dortmund at the expense of Michael van Gerwen. In the second round, 'The Flying Scotsman' was too strong for the four-time European Championship winner with 10-4.

'The Flying Scotsman' last played at the European Darts Championship in 2016. Back then, he lost in the first round, after which he missed as many as seven editions because he did not feel like playing Euro Tour tournaments. This year, Anderson returned for two tournaments on the Euro Tour circuit and by winning one of those tournaments he forced his spot for the European Darts Championship.

Van Gerwen gained a break lead early in the match by throwing out 107, but immediately lost the break again. With a 13-darter and a 60 finish, Anderson took over the lead. A 12-darter and a 14-darter gave Anderson a 4-1 lead going into the break. After the break, it then became 5-1 for the Scot. That margin remained in place, including after a 12-darter by Anderson for a 7-3 lead. Anderson then made it 8-3 by throwing out 64.

Van Gerwen broke Anderson in the 12th leg via double 8, but then surrendered his own throw again by not being out in six visits. With a 16-darter, Anderson extended his lead to 9-4. The two-time world champion then closed the match beautifully with a 12-darter.

On Sunday afternoon, Anderson will take on Ritchie Edhouse in the quarterfinals of the European Darts Championship. The Englishman stunned in the second round with a victory over former world champion Michael Smith. For Edhouse, it will be his first time playing a quarterfinal at a major tournament. Anderson has a lot more experience in that regard, having already won eight major titles at the PDC. Over the past two seasons, though, Anderson reached only one quarterfinal at a ranking major.