After an epic weekend and a dramatic afternoon session at the Lokhalle in Gottingen, we are down to just eight players remaining in the reckoning at the European Darts Trophy.
But who will prevail? Sunday sees the Quarter-Finals in the evening as well as the semi-finals and final with the champion crowned.
First up on the Quarter-Final line-up on Sunday night is the mad Scot, Cameron Menzies who showed just that during his Last 16 win over Mike de Decker as he fell to the floor after De Decker missed a ton of missed darts at double.
Menzies finally returned to pin double two as he fell to the floor while De Decker tried to hurry off the stage without acknowledging his emotions. He will not get the same sort of tie when he faces off against Ryan Joyce.
‘Relentless’ produced a superb win over Rob Cross. ‘Voltage’ reeled in a 170 checkout but in truth it was in vein as Joyce who continues to show himself to a real darting danger broke new ground. He is into a European Tour Quarter-Final for the first time in his career and will aim to topple Menzies later.
Joyce won’t get drawn into Menzies perceived mind games or not depending on how it is looked at and so he will see a golden opportunity for a semi-final minimum.
Gerwyn Price vs Michael van Gerwen
Then it is the turn of a match as old as time as Gerwyn Price will face off against Michael van Gerwen in the second Quarter-Final. A match that used to be common fare most weeks when both are at the peak of their powers, it is very much one where Price for once will be favoured.
Price for years had a super poor record against MVG but nowadays it is more of a match dominated by the Welshman. He also will be favoured for his display earlier where he beat Wessel Nijman averaging an astonishing 110. He also won yesterday with a 103 against Ryan Searle. A player who is in a rich vein of form.
He also has the number of a certain Luke Littler and is outside of the two Luke’s, the main player to beat on tour right now. He has a new confidence after years in the darting doldrums and falling out of love with the game. Depending on your view on ‘The Iceman’, it is a welcome sight for some to see a player of his ilk so confident again. He will now relish another clash with Mighty Mike to settle an age old score.
Then it is the turn of Ross Smith. ‘Smudger’ like Price has been in red hot form as of late and is a mere reward of a title away from confirming that. He saw off Dave Chisnall earlier this afternoon and he will perhaps be happy about the opponent as he won’t have to joust with the Gottingen masses.
Gary Anderson survived match darts as the king of the German European Tour events, Martin Schindler faltered. A cacophony of noise greeted him on both occasions but ‘The Flying Scotsman’ one of the most experienced campaigners in the game knows the score by now. He returned last year after a long absence to win a European Tour then didn’t bother really for the rest of the year.
He will hope for the same again as he continues to be the master of managing his schedule at this point in his career but with Smith and Anderson having two of the most fan friendly actions and power scoring games in the sport, it will be a match to savour for a spot in the Quarter-Finals.
Nathan Aspinall vs Luke Humphries
Then finally onto a tie which is akin to the Premier League as Nathan Aspinall who narrowly defeated Jermaine Wattimena faces off against Luke Humphries.
Humphries in his match produced a comeback of epic proportions as he surged from 4-1 down to beat Michael Smith 6-5 to seal the win. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ will know that he needs scares like this if he wants to win the title and will know that a confident Asp will take advantage of any similar slip up on Sunday night.
Who walks away with the title? Find out on Sunday evening from 6pm at the Lokhalle in Gottingen. Will it be MVG retaining his title technically from seven years ago or will we get one of the more intriguing names such as Menzies or Joyce ascending. Or will it be Humphries, Anderson or Price in a similar vein to MVG.
Evening session (from 6 p.m.)