Joe Cullen and Stephen Bunting set up all-English semi-final at Austrian Darts Open after pair of pulsating quarters

Joe Cullen and Stephen Bunting are the first men through to the semi-finals at the 2024 Austrian Darts Open after a pair of pulsating quarter-final ties.

Against Cullen, Gian vn Veen threw an average of 103, compared to 104 for Englishman. The Dutchman kept pace with his opponent in the early stages. Via a 16-darter, 13-darter and an 80 finish Van Veen kept his own legs and after six legs it was 3-3. Van Veen had not been given a break chance, and neither did he in the seventh leg. A 90 finish took Cullen to a 4-3 lead. The mistake then came from Van Veen in the eighth leg. He was unable to finish in five visits, allowing Cullen to throw out 70 for a 15-darter. The Englishman then secured the win with a 14-darter.

Following Cullen, Stephen Bunting also reached the last four of the Euro Tour tournament in Graz. Bunting led 4-1, but had to watch as the next four legs all went to his opponent Martin Schindler as the German threatened a remarkable comeback win.

Schindler, who had recently won the International Darts Open, even had chances to reach the semifinals. However, the German missed three matchdarts, after which Bunting forced a deciding leg via double 1. In the last leg Schindler had a matchdart, but also failed to take it. Bunting then hit his first matchdart via tops.