European Darts Trophy Saturday evening Round-Up | Van Gerwen and Bunting fall as Price and Van Veen stand-out in Gottingen

It was a mixed night for the big names at the European Darts Trophy with Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting among the leading lights to fall as Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen both impressed.

In lieu of Humphries and Clayton withdrawing late, the former decided instead to go to Cheltenham again with Nathan Aspinall and Luke Littler, Van Gerwen, Price and Van Veen were the leading lights involved this weekend but going into the final day only the latter two now remain at the European Darts Trophy.

Van Gerwen did not play poorly in his match against Niels Zonneveld. In fact to the contrary as he averaged 107 but was soundly beaten by his compatriot 6-2. Zonneveld pinned an average of 104.5 with five 180's to claim a spot in the Last 16.

MVG especially with most of the leading lights missing this weekend would've sensed his chance for a good run but in the end, Zonneveld did too and managed to win through. But for Price on the otherhand, it was a huge average and also the scoreline to match.

He hit 106.7 with a sole 180 but 6/13 on the doubles as he punished a pretty poor display by Cullen to win through. Early on, a 72 checkout from Cullen and Price pinned double four to make it 1-1 with two holds.

Double four for Cullen to make it 2-1 as he held once more. Price was looking to level up with parity for 2-2. Price made it 2-2 with a 13-darter on double 18 with no breaks still. But Price then opened the door hitting double 10 for 3-2 averaging 112 at the time.

Price held also on double 20 for 4-2 and he was now two away from the finishing line. One he reached as he broke again and pinned double 12 for success.

While Van Veen thrashed Krzysztof Ratajski 6-1 despite not having the glitz or the glamour of the MVG or Price displays. Such was the case as he held serve early with a 20-darter. But a 149 checkout set him motoring as he went 3-1 up and he held for a 12-darter for 4-1. An 18-dart break and Van Veen was on the verge of victory. He was 5-1 up and claimed the win from there with Ratajski sat at 1/4 on the outer ring.

Stephen Bunting is gone though as well. He was defeated in a last leg decider by Niko Springer. It was the only real moment of bliss to shout about for the German support who watched Paul Krohne get beaten by Josh Rock and also Martin Schindler was downed by Richard Veenstra.

Rock broke immediately on double 20 and after Krohne missed chance after chance to break back, he surged 3-1 ahead in that tie. Rock sat on 150 and Krohne left 50 from 221 and pinned it to seal a 4-4 levelled game. A break back for Rock who was now 5-4 up and was throwing for the win. A 180 early doors to leave 50 which he pinned with Krohne sat on 91 and a win he claimed.

While Schindler was broken at 4-3 by Veenstra and silenced the partisan crowd including a brilliant 111 checkout to go one away and he sealed the deal with a 78 checkout.

But for Springer, it was more close ran and some joy finally for them alongside German speaking Mensur Suljovic who edged past Karel Sedlacek. A 97 checkout and Springer led his tie with Bunting. An 81 checkout for Springer and he went 2-1 up. A 78 checkout for a 12-darter as Springer surged ahead again 3-2.

A break for Bunting who pinned double 18 for a 12-darter but Bunting missed 124 for a hold and back came Springer for 4-4. He pinned double 20 for it. He went one away but it went the distance and Springer sealed it with a 44 checkout.

While finally Kevin Doets is through to the final day. Not the special display of yesterday but perhaps a tougher assignment as he faced Cameron Crabtree who came through the States via Istanbul in a wild goose chase to make it a day early after Jonny Clayton's withdrawal.

Crabtree had been on holiday but got the call up and decided to throw caution to the wind but in facing a brilliant player like Doets it was always a tough mission.

He went 1-0 down with a break early and was also chasing that break back and couldn't get it. He prolonged it when it looked like Doets was about to win comfortably but in the end, he lost 6-4.