Michael van Gerwen analyses 'assassin' Andrew Gilding: ''Not the most fun to watch but can play fantastic darts''

Michael van Gerwen will take on Andrew Gilding this Friday night in the quarterfinals of the 2024 World Matchplay. It will be the tenth career meeting between the Dutchman and the Englishman.

In the head-to-head, Van Gerwen is leading 7-2. From 2012-2023, 'Mighty Mike' won the first five meetings between them. Gilding then managed to record his first win over Van Gerwen in sensational fashion in a thrilling 2023 UK Open final. A victory over the Dutchman in a Players Championship match also followed this year, while Van Gerwen was 6-5 too strong for Gilding at a Euro Tour tournament this campaign. Van Gerwen already once referred to his English opponent as an assassin, so he has been warned about the qualities of 'Goldfinger.'

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So the three-time World Matchplay champion called Gilding an assassin for a reason. ''He is quiet, does nothing, gives no emotion, is slow, not the most fun to watch but can play fantastic darts,'' is how Van Gerwen assesses his upcoming opponent. ''You have to guard against that, because it's not easy. I just have to make sure I put my best game forward, because that too will be a killer of a match.''

The format for the next match has gone up considerably. Sixteen legs will have to be won to make it to the next round. ''That's not too easy, but I like that. If I can't win over 31 legs against Andrew Gilding, you don't deserve to win the title either.''

For Gilding, it will be the first time he will play a match over such a long format. Whether that could play a role? ''That's going to play a big role. You can never be concentrated over all the legs, that's almost impossible. You just have to strike at the right moments, don't give up and don't make big mistakes,'' Van Gerwen said.