James Wade produced a vintage display to thwart Luke Littler’s hopes of reaching the European Championship quarter-finals this weekend, taking over as world number one from Luke Humphries.
Wade stunned the world champions 10-7 with a disappointing doubles miss, earning his first win over Littler on television and setting up a quarterfinal match against Humphries.
“The Machine” averaged 97.75 and checked out over three tons: 121, 110, and 108.
Wade gets his first win over Littler, sending out the world champion.
This is the first time since last year’s European Championships (9 consecutive tournaments) that Littler has not made it to the quarterfinals of a major ranked TV event.
2018 champion Wade told ITV: “I don’t think Luke played very well in comparison. He should have run away a little more than he did. I’m not really lucky. I played better there than he did and it’s positive moving forward.”
Luke Humphries was distracted on stage but survived final battle thriller with Cameron Menzies
Humphries trailed 8-6 and narrowly defeated Scottish ace Cameron Menzies in the final leg with an average of 103.64 points.
Menzies led 8-6 and looked to be on the verge of a famous victory, but Humphries made a late showing and turned the tide with an 83 finish following an 11-darter break.
“I’m proud of my performance, but I’m more proud of the way I stuck to myself in those moments when I felt frustrated,” the 30-year-old said. “There were some very frustrating moments, but I was trying to calm myself down and I did that. I’m very proud to be back. It was a really good performance.”
“When you’re really behind and things are going against you and you win a game, it’s very satisfying for me. It’s really satisfying.”
When asked what distracted him on stage, he said: “I don’t think it was intentional. I wasn’t doing anything on purpose, it was happening and it bothered me. There were some things, but I won, so that’s what mattered. Cameron is a great player when he’s on a song and in full flow. I had to work hard to be with him.”
‘Cool Hand’ also reflected on holding onto the number one spot until the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, adding: “I wasn’t expecting Luke to lose. I hope that fate leads and Luke loses, but I’m still playing so I’ve got three weeks to spare, but I have to come tomorrow and win.”
Danny Knoppert completed an impressive 130 at the Bullseye, edging out top seed Nathan Aspinall.
“The Freeze” finished the tournament with an average score of 101 and 59 percent in doubles, advancing to the quarter-finals of the European Championship for the fifth consecutive year, where he will face Ricardo Pietrezko.
The last remaining German in the tournament, Pietrezko posted monster finishes of 164 and 125 to defeat the in-form Jermaine Wattimena and secure a famous 10-6 victory, much to the delight of the Westfalenhallen crowd.
The home hero punished Watimena’s disastrous finish to defeat last year’s runners-up.
Van Gerwen moves towards fifth European Championship
Michael van Gerwen enters the quarter-finals in intimidating form against Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen threatened a magical nine-darter as he beat Chris Dobey 10-5 with an average of 100.7 to reach the quarter-finals and remain on course for a fifth European Championship title.
“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 European Championship semi-finalist Darryl Gurney punished Ross Smith’s poor finishing in doubles, which included 21 missed darts, and won 10-6 with a checkout of more than three tons, including a 124 finish.
Young Dutchman Jan van Veen put in another great performance, averaging 110, seven times under 180, and a sensational checkout of 170 to defeat Ryan Searle 10-2 and qualify for his third televised ranking quarter-final of the year against Ryan Joyce.
Joyce defied a partisan German crowd, chastised Martin Schindler for his debauchery in doubles, and reached the quarter-finals with a 10-7 victory on his debut.
Former semi-finalist and World Youth Champion Van Veen said: “I felt really good going into the match. I think the 170 in the 10th leg was really the deciding factor. This format really suits me and I’m really happy with this win.”
What’s going on in Dortmund on Sunday?
Final day of the Machine Seeker European Championship begins with the quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon, followed by the decisive semi-finals and final on Sunday evening.
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