Wade through to European Championship Final after sudden death thriller win over Petersen

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.

Read also

Full ITV4 TV guide for the 2020 European Championship Darts

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