Van Barneveld starts with hard-fought victory on second day European Q-School

Raymond van Barneveld started the second day of the European Q-School in Niedernhausen with a 6-3 victory over Niko Springer. Barney hopes to secure a spot in next week's final stage this week, when the PDC Tour Cards are distributed.

The 53-year-old Dutchman came to the last 16 with his official comeback on Monday and thus already collected two important points. Van Barneveld started on Tuesday in a preliminary round and has to win at least one more game later in the day to get one or more points again.

His match against Springer started with six successive breaks of throw as they all went against the darts. After that Van Barneveld finally kept his own leg. Springer was on course to do the same, but missed three darts on the doubles and was punished by a stunning 154 finish from the Dutchman. At 5-3, the five-time world champion was allowed to throw for the game and finished with an 80 checkout.