James Wade could take the
European Championship title home once more after victory over Devon Petersen in the semi-finals in Oberhausen.
Wade won the title in 2018 and will face either Peter Wright or Jonny Clayton shortly for the title after claiming an 11-10 victory over Petersen in a sudden death thriller.
Wade took the opening leg on his trusty double 10 but
Petersen from there hit the front with three consecutive legs hitting a 132
checkout followed by a 127 on the bull to gain the impetus.
This was followed by a hold to make it 3-1 but he was still
only one leg ahead at the interval. He missed double 16 for a 146 checkout to
make it 4-1 and Wade took advantage to make it 3-2 despite averaging 92.5 to
his opponent’s 104.
Petersen missed three darts at doubles and Wade squared it
up with a break from there and he followed that up with a 104 checkout to go
4-3 up.
Doubles continued to cost Petersen as he was down at 3/10
and Wade went 5-3 up with another break. But Petersen did fire back into life
going 5-4 behind with an immediate break back with a 180, 177 and double 20.
It was successive legs as he made it parity at 5-5 and from
there, they exchanged holds but two missed darts at doubles this time from Wade
saw Petersen take out 94 on the bull to make it 7-6.
Three missed darts at doubles saw Petersen pin double eight
to go 8-6 up but just as it looked like he was in the ascendancy, Wade hit a
crucial double five to keep him one behind at 8-7.
A brilliant 101 checkout saw Wade claim a break of throw
when they returned as he looked to steal a march. A clutch last dart at double
20 from a 74 checkout saw Wade go 9-8 up with Petersen having pressured with a
180 to leave 24.
Wade’s brilliance continued with a 158 checkout putting him
one away from the finishing line at 10-8. Petersen kept himself in it with a
break of throw with a 106 checkout to make it 10-9.
A 180 left 24 and Petersen sent it to a deciding leg at
10-10. But a 180 and 58 checkout saw Wade take it 11-10.
European Championship schedule
Semi-Finals
James Wade (94.87) 11-10 (97.44) Devon Petersen
Peter Wright vs Jonny Clayton
Final
James Wade vs Wright/Clayton