Vintage James Wade display sees him battle back from 5-1 down to beat Gian van Veen and set up final with Peter Wright at European Championship

James Wade will face Peter Wright in the final in Dortmund with the European Championship title on the line after a vintage display from 'the Machine' saw him battle back from 5-1 down to beat Gian van Veen.

One of the most experienced players around versus one of the most prodigious young talents, it was youth who had the better of the early exchanges. Courtesy of a breaks of throw in legs 3 and 5, Van Veen headed off stage at the first break 4-1 clear of his multiple major winning opponent.

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After Van Veen increased his lead further in the first leg after the break, Wade began to show signs of life, hitting back-to-back 180s in leg 7 to get a second leg on the board. A break of throw followed for 'the Machine' in the next leg and suddenly he was right back in the tie. After Wade had got back to within one courtesy of a brilliant 127, van Veen stopped the rot in the final leg of the session, taking out a nerveless 167 on the bull to stay in front at the break, 6-4.

Wade though, just continued to go about his business unflustered and after the interval managed to get back level a 6 legs apiece. After he missed a golden opportunity to nudge infront though, van Veen punished on double 16 to regain his advantage. Both players held throw to close out the session meaning as the pair head off stage for the final interval, van Veen was narrowly ahead at 8-7.

Van Veen despite being on the verge of his first major TV final was showing no signs of nerves and moved 9-7 ahead in the first leg after the break. In typical James Wade fashion though, the legendary left-hander would not relent on his old friend double 10 levelled up once again at 9-9 as van Veen began to show signs of frustration for the first time. Holding throw in leg 19, Wade was on the verge of yet another major final. Requiring 56 for the match, Wade went low on double top and missed his trusty double 10. But when van Veen failed to punish he would return to mop up and book his place in the final.

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