DIRK GETS IT DONE! 🍆 Dirk van Duijvenbode produces a fine display in the opening game of the tournament to see off Madars Razma! #EC2022 | R1 📺 bit.ly/EuCh22Live
Dirk dazzles as Van Duijvenbode surges past Razma, Searle survives match dart in thrilling deciding leg win over Lukeman
PDCThursday, 27 October 2022 at 19:51
The European Championship has begun with two superb victories in Dortmund as Dirk van Duijvenbode and Ryan Searle into the Last 16.
Van Duijvenbode will await the winner of Rob Cross, the defending champion or James Wade after dispatching Madars Razma in a superb 6-3 win. 'The Titan' produced a 102.5 average and three 180's to boot.
Initially the match was closely fought as Razma produced a 130 checkout on the bull only for Van Duijvenbode to the same on double eight for a 3-2 lead and this turned the tide as he went on to break with a 72 checkout on double 16.
Razma broke back after Van Duijvenbode had missed the chance for a 5-2 lead but a 14 darter on double two saw the Dutchman consolidate and he took the win from there with an 88 checkout. Superb from The Aubergenius.
Speaking of superb, the same can be said for the second match of the night as Ryan Searle survived one match dart from Martin Lukeman before going on to seal a 6-5 win in a high quality affair which went back and forward after early breaks of throw.
In the end, a 102.4 average and three 180's continued the superb start in Dortmund with top seed Luke Humphries potentially next.
Lukeman broke to begin with a 46 checkout. Searle hit back though with a 93 checkout. Searle couldn't get a shot at a double from 100 but Lukeman missed 64 to break and Searle hit double 20 to hold at 2-1. Searle was ready to break but Lukeman hit a 94 checkout to make it 2-2 and leave it finely poised.
A 75 checkout saw Searle edge ahead once more at 3-2. Lukeman started with a 177 on his throw but Searle hit a 180 but the former hit a timely maximum to leave 87 which he pinned on double 18 for 3-3.
Searle was well ahead on his throw and went for 170 but missed the bull only to return for 4-3 on double two. They continued to go back and forth with an 84 checkout to make it 4-4.
But Lukeman looked to have gained the initiative with a terrific last dart 87 to go one away at 5-4. 137 left 73 but he missed bull for the match and Searle hit double 20 to take it all the way.
The trebles dried up and Searle hit 90 to leave double 20 for the match which he pinned.
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- 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
- Still impressive though. Also literally everyone cares about averages that's what makes darts fascinating.medinabello14-11-2024
- BS he won a Euro Tour during this down period something that not many players can say. Dobey, Noppy, DvD, Ross Smith to name just a few.medinabello14-11-2024
- Maybe the supposed top players are burnt out from the endless travelling and tournaments, I just don't think they have the dedication or outright desire to win. I think they are more interested in the money and being popular, just keeping their rankings steady. The only thing that mattered to Phil Taylor was winning, not winning a few games to top up the money pot and seeking the fans attention. Maybe there is too many tournaments now and the enthusiasm is gone. This year especially has seen so many different winners and unexpected draws and line ups.richieburnettrocks14-11-2024