O'Connor dumps out top seed Cullen, Aspinall sees off Kuivenhoven despite under par display

The top seed is out at the European Championship with Joe Cullen heading out of the tournament in the opening round against William O'Connor.

Cullen fresh off his second European Tour triumph which allowed him the route to become top seed couldn't back that up as he fell to 'The Magpie' with only 20% on his doubles despite not scoring poorly with three 180's.

O'Connor though who is only in the tournament by virtue of a positive COVID test for Glen Durrant seized on his second chance with 40% on his doubles in a 6-3 win and he will now take his place in the second day in Oberhausen.

So is Nathan Aspinall but 'The Asp' was far from his best against Dutch debutant Maik Kuivenhoven but did enough to win through.

Aspinall claimed a 6-3 victory over Kuivenhoven who has producing some impressive displays so far this season including on the European Tour which got him his spot in this tournament.

But despite an average of only 86.6 and 24% on the doubles, it is the Premier League finalist who is through successfully to face James Wade.

European Championship 2020 schedule

First round

Thursday October 29

Jamie Hughes (94.22) 6-5 (92.66) Dave Chisnall

Krzysztof Ratajski (99.76) 5-6 (95.19) Steve West

Mervyn King (86.66) 2-6 (91.83) Ian White

Jose de Sousa (96.56) 6-3 (87.65) Jeffrey de Zwaan

James Wade (92.42) 6-5 (93.02) Steve Lennon

Devon Petersen (95.29) 6-1 (87.69) Andy Hamilton

Michael Smith (89.29) 6-5 (91.34) Ross Smith

Danny Noppert (92.93) 0-6 (98.47) Dirk van Duijvenbode

Nathan Aspinall (86.68) 6-3 (82.21) Maik Kuivenhoven

Joe Cullen (86.05) 3-6 (88.17) William O'Connor

Rob Cross v Martijn Kleermaker

Jonny Clayton v Max Hopp

Michael van Gerwen v Darius Labanauskas

Gerwyn Price v Kim Huybrechts

Peter Wright v Gabriel Clemens

Mensur Suljovic v Daryl Gurney