James Wade produced a vintage display to end Luke Littler’s hopes of taking over from Luke Humphries as world No 1 this weekend and reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championships.
Wade punished costly missed pars to stun the world champion 10-7 to secure his first win over Littler on the TV stage and set up a quarter-final with Humphries.
‘The Machine’ averaged 97.75 and drew three tons more checkout numbers – 121, 110 and 108.
Wade sealed his first victory over Littler and sent the world champion packing
This is the first time that Littler has failed to make the quarterfinals of a major TV ranking event since last year’s European Championships (nine events in a row).
Wade, the 2018 champion, said ITV: “I don’t think Luke played very well compared to that. I should have run a bit more than I did. I was unlucky, I played better than him there and it’s positive to go forward.”
Luke Humphreys was distracted on stage but came through in a final thriller against Cameron Menzies
Humphries was forced to dig deep from 8-6 down to narrowly beat Scottish ace Cameron Menzies in a final thriller, averaging 103.64.
Menzies appeared to be on the verge of a famous victory from 8-6 in front, but Humphries delivered the goods in the closing stages, following an 11-dart break with an 83 finish on the bull to turn the tide.
“I’m proud of the performance, but I’m more proud of the way I handled myself at times when I felt frustrated,” said the 30-year-old. “I was trying to hold myself together – very frustrating moments – but I did. The way I came back, I’m quite proud of that. It’s a really good performance.
“When you’re winning games when you’re really in control and things are going against you, that’s pretty satisfying to me. I’m really happy with that.”
When asked what bothered him on stage, he said: “I don’t think it was intentional. It wasn’t something that was on purpose, it just got to me because it was happening. A few things happened, but I won and that’s all that mattered. Cameron is a fantastic player when he’s on song and in full flow. I had to work hard to stay with him.”
‘Cool Hand’ also reflected on holding on to the top spot until the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, adding: “I wasn’t hoping for Luke to lose, I hope fate has taken its course and Luke has lost and I’m still in the game so I’ve got three weeks left but I’ve got to come tomorrow and win.”
Danny Noppert he scored a magnificent 130 points and dispatched top seed Nathan Aspinall.
‘The Freeze’ finished the competition with an average of 101 and 59 per cent in his doubles to reach his fifth consecutive European Championship quarter-final, where he will play Ricardo Pietreczko
The last German left in the tournament, Pietrecko produced monster scores of 164 and 125 to defeat the in-form Jermaine Wattiman with a famous 10-6 victory to the delight of the Westfalenhallen crowd.
The home hero punished a woeful finishing display from Vattimen to knock out last year’s runners-up.
Van Gerwen on his way to a fifth European Championship
Michael van Gerwen was in powerful form against Chris Dobie as he stormed into the quarter-finals
Michael van Gerwen threatened with nine darts of magic as he stayed on course for this fifth European title after reaching the quarter-finals by beating Chris Dobie 10-5 with an average of 100.7.
“I know it was solid, but it wasn’t special,” Van Gerwen said. “I know exactly what to do on days like today and tomorrow.”
Former semi-finalist of the European Championship Daryl Gurney punished Ross Smith’s poor finishing, which included 21 missed doubles shots, to win 10-6 with three ton-plus disposals to his name – including a 124 finish.
A young Dutchman Gian van Veen produced another spectacular display to beat Ryan Searle 10-2 with an average of 110, seven 180s and a sensational 170 dismissals for a place in his third televised quarter-final of the year against Ryan Joyce.
Joyce punished Martin Schindler’s wanton doubles play as he defied a partisan German crowd to reach the quarter-finals on his debut with a 10-7 win.
Van Veen, a former semi-finalist and world junior champion, said: “I felt really good going into the match. I think 170 in the 10th match really sealed the deal for me. This format really suits me and I’m happy with this win.”
What’s happening in Dortmund on Sunday?
Finals day at the Machineseeker European Championship will begin with the quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon, before the decisive semi-finals and finals take place on Sunday evening.
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