The European Championship is ongoing and especially one match stands out of todays program.

The European Championship was launched in good style. Virtually all favorites passed on from yesterday’s matches. However, Ian White have already left the tournament, because he lost 6-1 against Richard North.
Paul Nicholson also started very well against Michael van Gerwen. After two legs, the Australian was ahead by 2-0, and at the same time both players had an average above 120 at that time. However, Paul Nicholson fell a level or two, thus Michael van Gerwen could secure the 6-2 win with a 170-checkout alon the way.

Peter Wright also showed good form by beating Jermaine Wattimena by 6-0. Thus the Scottsman got the biggest victory yesterday.

Today it is again on for the first round and it already starts at 01.45 pm. Here, Jonny Clayton is up against James Wilson. The match is followed by Darren Webster and Stephen Bunting before Gerwyn Price and Kyle Anderson face each other.

Mensur Suljovic, who comes with one European Tour title, will meet Spanish Cristo Reyes. Mensur Suljovic goes into this fight with the statistics in his hand. The last three matches between the two has ended with a total of three 6-3 wins to the Austrian.

Then Daryl Gurney faces Ricky Evans. Even though it did not become a title defense at the World Grand Prix for Daryl Gurney, after all, he reached the semifinals and he looks like a man in great shape.

Max Hopp then faces William O’Connor before James Wade and Martin Schindler takes the stage.

The afternoon is shut down with a bang of a fight. Here, former world champion Adrian Lewis faces Dave Chisnall. The two players usually plays some outright exciting matches when they finally meet. However, the two last met each other over one year ago, and there it was a victory of 6-3 to Chisnall. However, it was in the middle of Lewis’ worst period, so it can easily be a close match tonight. One thing is certainly sure, it will not be a struggle without 180’s.

In the evening, it’s on for the second round.

First, Joe Cullen will face Michael Smith. None of the two had major problems in advancing yesterday, but tonight the competition is sharpened a lot. They have met each other thirteen times, and Joe Cullen leads by 7-6, so everything indicates another tight match tonight.

Then Simon Whitlock is heading for Peter Wright. Peter Wright impressed yesterday when he beat Jermaine Wattimena by 6-0, and at the same time had an average of just over 101. He may not win by the same figures tonight, because Whitlock played with the same average yesterday when he beat Steve Beaton by 6-3. The only difference was that Beaton played something better than Wattimena. However, Peter Wright has won the last six mutual matches, so Whitlock will have to hit the same level as yesterday if he wants to breake the streak.

Richard North then faces Rob Cross. The two have only met twice and, in fact, Rob Cross has never won. Should he change it, it will help significantly if he at least lands a 97-average as in his match against Danny Noppert yesterday.

Michael van Gerwen is the last man on stage tonight when he meets Steve West. The Englishman has never won against Michael van Gerwen, although he has had 11 attempts. It will hardly be this evening that he changes the statistics, but as you say – never say never.

All matches can be watched on PDC.TV from 01.45 and again from 008.00. As always, you can get an overview of the matches below:

Friday October 26
Afternoon Session (1345 local time, 1245 UK time)
First Round
Jonny Clayton v James Wilson
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price v Kyle Anderson
Mensur Suljovic v Cristo Reyes
Daryl Gurney v Ricky Evans
Max Hopp v William O’Connor
James Wade v Martin Schindler
Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall

Evening Session (2000 local time, 1900 UK time)
Second Round
Joe Cullen v Michael Smith
Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright
Richard North v Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen v Steve West