"There are so many good players but yeah, I can be one of them" - Danny Noppert hoping to continue rise after impressive opening round whitewash at the European Championship

Danny Noppert started the European Darts Championship in Dortmund on Thursday evening convincingly. In the first round, he sent reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding home 6-0.

The darter from Joure played one of his best TV matches ever. Noppert had an average of 106 and a finish percentage of 75 percent. After the match he appeared satisfied in front of the Online Darts camera. "Great performance today, from the beginning, I thought I'd have to play well and I did. 6-0, I didn't expect that," was Noppert's initial reaction.

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The European Darts Championship falls in a busy period for darters. In the coming months, several more important tournaments will follow, culminating in the World Darts Championship. So opportunities for Noppert to make further progress.

''Yeah it's a busy time, and for the rankings as well I'm now number eight and I have to perform to continue making steps in the ranking. There are so many good players but yeah, I can be one of them."

Something that would help make strides in the world rankings is winning the title in Dortmund. But Noppert does not yet consider himself good enough to win his second major title at the European Championship.

''No not yet," Noppert concludes modestly. "We will see what happens. Tomorrow is a day of rest and I'm looking forward for Saturday. I will continue to give everything like this and just keep relaxed."

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