Gerwyn Price storms into European Championship last 16 as James Wade suffers shock exit

Gerwyn Price booked his place in the last 16 of the European Darts Championship in Dortmund with a convincing 6-2 victory over Rob Cross, while former champion James Wade suffered a first-round defeat to Damon Heta.

There was no shortage of drama on the opening night at the Westfalenhalle, with Luke Woodhouse producing a nine-dart finish, Stephen Bunting surviving a match dart before hitting a spectacular 160 checkout, and defending champion Gian van Veen keeping his title defence alive.

Price, a former world champion, was among the players to make an impressive start to the tournament. The Welshman defeated Cross 6-2 to progress to the second round, where he will face Cameron Menzies.

Menzies booked his place in the last 32 with a 6-3 victory over fourth seed Niels Zonneveld, who had won the Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht the previous weekend.

Meanwhile, Wade's campaign came to an abrupt end as he was edged out 6-5 by Heta. The Australian produced a crucial victory over the former European Championship winner to set up a second-round clash with Ross Smith.

The top seed also progressed, although Ross Smith was far from his best as he defeated Karel Sedlacek 6-4.

Luke Woodhouse provided one of the standout moments of the opening night by hitting a nine-dart finish during his 6-3 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode.

The first three legs went with the darts before Woodhouse produced a moment of brilliance in the fourth. The Englishman opened with two maximum 180 scores before checking out 141 to complete the perfect leg.

The nine-darter secured the first break of the match and gave Woodhouse a 3-1 lead. He then consolidated his advantage by taking out 62 to move 4-1 ahead.

Van Duijvenbode was unable to find a way back into the contest, with Woodhouse maintaining his advantage before sealing the win with an 89 checkout.

It was a memorable performance from Woodhouse, who combined the perfect leg with a clinical finish on the bullseye to wrap up his opening-round victory.

Stephen Bunting produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the night as he defeated Danny Noppert 6-5, surviving a match dart before taking out 160 in the deciding leg.

Bunting made the stronger start, winning the opening two legs, but Noppert responded impressively. The Dutchman won legs in 12, 19 and 16 darts to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

The match remained finely balanced from there, with both players holding the throw until Bunting struck at 4-4. A 14-dart leg gave the Englishman a crucial break and put him within one leg of victory at 5-4.

However, Bunting was unable to close out the match in the next leg. Noppert broke back in 18 darts to force a deciding leg, setting up a tense finish.

Noppert appeared to have the opportunity to complete the comeback when he landed on double 20 for the match. He missed his chance, though, and Bunting punished him immediately with a sensational 160 checkout to snatch the victory.

The result sent Bunting through to the second round after one of the most dramatic matches of the opening session.

Kim Huybrechts made the most of his opportunity in Dortmund after being drafted into the tournament following Luke Humphries' withdrawal due to illness.

The Belgian produced an impressive performance, averaging 103.81 as he swept aside Ryan Searle 6-1 to reach the second round.

Huybrechts will now look to build on that commanding opening display as he continues his campaign in Dortmund.

Defending champion Gian van Veen also progressed to the last 32, defeating Andrew Gilding 6-4 to ensure his return to Dortmund would last beyond the opening round.

The 24-year-old became the first reigning European champion to win a match at the following edition of the tournament since 2018.

Van Veen arrived in Dortmund looking to defend the title he won last year, when he beat Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals before edging Luke Humphries 11-10 in a dramatic final to claim his first major PDC title.

He made a strong start against Gilding, holding his opening leg before immediately breaking the Englishman to establish a 2-0 lead.

Gilding fought back, however, taking out 85 in 14 darts to break Van Veen's throw before holding his own leg to level the match.

The former UK Open champion then won a third consecutive leg to move ahead for the first time. Van Veen responded with an immediate break of his own before holding the throw to restore parity at 4-4.

The defending champion found another gear in the closing stages, winning the ninth leg before taking out 70 to complete a 6-4 victory.

The win keeps Van Veen's hopes of retaining the title alive while setting up another appearance in the second round.

Cameron Menzies earned a second-round meeting with Price after defeating fourth seed Niels Zonneveld 6-3.

Zonneveld arrived in Dortmund full of confidence after winning the Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht the previous weekend. His strong European Tour performances had also earned him the fourth seed at the European Championship.

The Dutchman made a promising start against Menzies, taking out 109 to break the Scot's throw. However, Menzies immediately broke back before holding the throw and securing another break to move 3-1 ahead.

Zonneveld responded with a break of his own to reduce the deficit to 3-2, but Menzies again had an answer. The Scot took out 101 to regain his two-leg advantage before moving 5-2 ahead.

Although Zonneveld claimed another leg, Menzies held his throw to seal a 6-3 victory and set up a second-round clash with Price.

With Price progressing comfortably, Wade heading home and Woodhouse stealing the show with a nine-darter, the opening night delivered plenty of talking points as the race for the European Championship title got underway.