Defending champion White claims hard fought win over Kuivenhoven, set to face De Sousa in semi-finals

The first semi-final has been confirmed at the European Darts Grand Prix with defending champion Ian White set to face off against Jose de Sousa.

White began proceedings with a hard fought victory over Maik Kuivenhoven 6-4 averaging 89 with three 180's and 35% on the doubles.

'Diamond' was 5-1 up and seemingly on his way to easing through to the Last Four but the Dutchman returned to the foray with a brilliant comeback.

This saw two checkouts of 80 and 76 but despite going one away from making it all square, White returned to stopped the rot and reeled off two straight legs to move through.

He will now face 'The Special One' who saw off Darius Labanauskas also in a 6-4 win. This saw a 98 average and a high checkout of 156 as the Portuguese ace's brilliant weekend continues. Can he go all the way?

Evening session (from 6:00 PM)

Quarter-Finals

Maik Kuivenhoven (87.63) 4-6 (89.56) Ian White

Darius Labanauskas (95.58) 4-6 (98.09) Jose De Sousa

Mensur Suljovic v Rob Cross

Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen

Semi finals

Ian White v Jose de Sousa

Suljovic / Cross v Aspinall / Van Gerwen

Final