Dolan looking to take ProTour form into European Championship: "My stage play is not good enough"

Brendan Dolan eased past Kim Huybrechts on the opening night of the 2021 European Championship as 'The History Maker' aims to make strides on the stage.

Speaking post match, he admitted he believes Huybrechts was affected by the small crowd which meant he couldn't produce his best.

"I'm just totally delighted to get the win and especially over Kim (Huybrechts) because I feel Kim is on the way up again. He's had a couple of bad years but I feel his performances are on the way up," said Dolan to Online Darts.

"In that game there, I think it was very ropey, very nervous. I was pitching really high and lucky enough my correcting landed a few trebles. Not happy with the throw overall but delighted with the win."

"When the crowd is not as big as normal, it's easy to tune into an odd voice here or there and it's a wee bit distracting and that might have harmed Kim."

But for Dolan, who has been imperious at times on the ProTour this year, he hasn't replicated that on the stage which is a part of his game he isn't happy with.

"I'm not happy with my stage play this year, I'm happy with my floor play but you know when I've got a chance even on the European Tour, I have been steady but not spectacular whereas on the floor, I've been pretty good."

"I have no fears of playing anyone, to Gerwyn Price to Jonny (Clayton) to Jose (De Sousa), they're all the top dogs on the floor as well and I feel like I've mixed it with them and have done all year but my stage play is not good enough."