Schedule and preview Thursday evening session 2022 European Championship Darts including Rock-Aspinall, Cross-Wade and Searle-Lukeman

The European Championship begins on Thursday at the early time of 5:45pm with half of the first round taking centre stage in Dortmund.

Top ties include Martin Lukeman who made impressive strides during the World Grand Prix and who made his name during the European Tour facing Ryan Searle who just over a year ago became a major finalist but since then hasn’t kicked on and will hope to do so this weekend.

Josh Rock will likely receive some billing after the last week but will face another player in terrific form in the last major finalist, Nathan Aspinall. While defending champion faces former champion as Rob Cross takes on James Wade.

Starting off proceedings in between Searle-Lukeman are two Dutch led ties as Dirk Van Duijvenbode faces Madars Razma and Danny Noppert takes on Andrew Gilding.

Top seed Luke Humphries faces Krzysztof Ratajski, while Michael Smith faces Czech ace, Karel ‘Evil Charlie’ Sedlacek who like Ratajski before when he was emerging is a non Tour Card holder who has spent the season coming through the East Europe qualifier.

While to end the night is another man of the moment in Damon Heta who finally avoids Joe Cullen and will face Vincent van der Voort.

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Madars Razma

Ryan Searle v Martin Lukeman

Danny Noppert v Andrew Gilding

Rob Cross v James Wade

Luke Humphries v Krzysztof Ratajski

Nathan Aspinall v Josh Rock

Michael Smith v Karel Sedlacek

Damon Heta v Vincent van der Voort