The European Championship has seen its first four quarter-finalists confirmed, with a major upset as defending champion Gian van Veen was eliminated by Luke Woodhouse in a thrilling 10-6 encounter. Woodhouse’s victory was hard-fought, despite van Veen’s attempts to stay in the match. Elsewhere, top players Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, and Ross Smith all secured their spots in the last eight with impressive performances, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament. The evening session promises more high-stakes darts as other contenders battle for their quarter-final berths.
Defending Champion Gian van Veen Knocked Out by Luke Woodhouse
The European Championship in Dortmund delivered its first major surprise as defending champion Gian van Veen was eliminated from the tournament by Luke Woodhouse, who secured a hard-fought 10-6 victory in their Round Two clash.
Woodhouse started strongly, leading a tight first session 3-2. He could have extended his lead significantly, but van Veen showed flashes of brilliance, including a stunning 142 checkout seemingly out of nowhere, keeping the score at a respectable 5-3.
However, the gap proved too much for the Dutchman to close. Despite his efforts, van Veen missed three crucial darts at the bullseye that would have brought him within two legs at 9-7. Woodhouse seized the opportunity, hitting the same double to clinch the win and advance a step closer to the title.
Price, Bunting, and Smith Secure Quarter-Final Spots
The afternoon session also saw three other top players confidently make their way into the quarter-finals:
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Gerwyn Price Dominates Cameron Menzies
Former World Champion Gerwyn Price was the first player to book his place in the last eight, opening the afternoon’s proceedings with a commanding 10-4 win against Cameron Menzies. The Welshman was in control throughout the match, showcasing his scoring power and precision finishing. He landed three impressive ton-plus finishes, including match-winning 109 and two earlier 113 checkouts.
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Stephen Bunting’s Emphatic Victory Over Kim Huybrechts
Stephen Bunting, known as ‘The Bullet’, was equally decisive in securing his spot, dismantling Kim Huybrechts with a routine 10-3 success. Bunting was in rock-solid form, particularly on his doubles, converting four ton-plus finishes and maintaining an impressive average of 96.83 to comfortably advance.
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Ross Smith Fends Off Damon Heta’s Comeback
World Series Finals champion Ross Smith faced a tougher challenge but ultimately prevailed, defeating Damon Heta 10-7. Heta mounted a spirited late fightback, battling back from 7-3 and 9-5 deficits. However, ‘Smudger’ held his nerve to close out the match. Smith, who won this event in 2022, clearly has his sights set on another major title.
The Road Ahead: Evening Session Matches
With four players already through, the tournament continues with a highly anticipated evening session (1900-2300 CEST) featuring more exciting Round Two clashes:
- Krzysztof Ratajski v Kevin Doets
- Martin Schindler v Jermaine Wattimena
- Nathan Aspinall v Luke Littler
- Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock
Fans can expect more thrilling darts action as these players compete for the remaining spots in the quarter-finals.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
