01/11/2020

Wright produces superb display to claim European Championship with victory over Wade

Peter Wright has added the European Championship to his resume after a superb victory over James Wade in the final in Oberhausen.

Prize money breakdown for the European Championship 2020 with £500,000 on offer

Wright defeated the 2018 champion 11-4 with a brilliant display in the final especially in the latter half where he pinned a 143 and 125 checkout back-to-back to see off 'The Machine'.

This was alongside six 180's and 42% on the doubles as he claims his fourth major title and his third of this year after winning at the World Championship and the Masters.

Wright took the first leg of the final with a 13-dart opening leg on double 16. From there, he stole an early march with a second successive 13-darter to double his advantage.

Wade was relying on Wright missing to get his first leg on the board but ‘Snakebite’ didn’t get him that opportunity hitting double eight to go 3-0 up.

A 140 saw Wright first to a finish on Wade’s throw but the latter caught fire hitting a 180 and leaving 64 which he pinned on double 10 to get himself on the board at 3-1 down.

Wright pinned double nine from there from a 96 checkout to lead 4-1 though to go into the first interval with a healthy lead.

Wade returned and claimed his second leg at 4-2 down but before that, Wright had a dart at a 109 checkout to break throw.

A 121 checkout typically from Wade saw him break back as he looked for parity but after a poor leg, Wright hit 133 to leave 40 for an immediate break back. He couldn’t pin it first time around but Wade missed double 20 for a 120 checkout which allowed him back for a 5-3 lead.

He missed double 18 for a 121 checkout but was given six darts so pinned double 18 to go into a 6-3 lead. Wright put the pressure on Wade’s throw but a clinical 80 checkout on double 10 saw Wade hold throw and reduce the arrears to 6-4 at the second break.

An incredible section of the match followed for Wright as he set himself up for a nine-darter on back-to-back occasions with a 12 and 11 darter to come of it. He made it three consecutive legs to go two away at 9-4 up.

A 143 checkout saw Wright go one away with another break. He concluded it from there with a 125 checkout to conclude superb victory.