The European Championship darts event concludes on Sunday as the quarter finals, semi-finals and the final of the tournament take place on a busy final day in Hasselt. The quarter finals are in the afternoon session with the remainder of the event in the evening.
The leading names in the event have made it through to the final day so we should be set for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament. As ever with these European events time restrictions will deny us the chance to preview the semi-finals and final but we can have a look at the quarter finals.
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Michael van Gerwen vs Simon Whitlock
For once the day gets underway with the world number one and defending champion Michael van Gerwen in action. He takes on his regular foe Simon Whitlock for a place in the semi-final.
MVG went into the tournament under a bit of an injury cloud but has shown no ill effects in the event so far and looks set to cruise to another title but Whitlock is in good form and if he is allowed to get into the match he is playing well enough to cause the upset.
I am on Whitlock outright and if he can find a way through this match then he has every chance of going all the way so I’ll watch this in the hope a shock occurs.
Kyle Anderson vs Mensur Suljovic
The second match of the afternoon sees Kyle Anderson taking on the man of the moment in Mensur Suljovic for the right to face MVG or Whitlock in the last four in the evening.
Anderson won the first five matches between these two but he has dropped the last two which coincides with the rapid improvement in the Austrian’s game and he goes into the match as a worthy favourite.
When both these men are firing they are excellent players but Anderson misses too many doubles on the big stage for my liking and that could cost him badly against arguably the best finisher in the game right now. With that in mind I’m with Suljovic to win with a bit to spare.
Peter Wright vs Daryl Gurney
The pick of the quarter finals is the penultimate match of the afternoon when Peter Wright takes on the World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney over the best of 19 legs.
Both these men look to be in excellent form so this should be something of a mini classic if they both play like they have been doing this weekend. Both men have got stronger as the match has gone on this weekend which is a sign they are ready for the fight and can handle the pressure.
These two played out an epic semi-final in the World Matchplay a couple of months ago and I think this one could be every bit as good. Gurney belongs at this level while Wright is established at it. I’m expecting more than 16.5 legs in this one.
Rob Cross vs Michael Smith
The last of the quarter finals sees Rob Cross taking on Michael Smith in the match the bookmakers have as the closest of the lot according to the odds. Cross leads the head to head 3-1 though.
I think Rob Cross is both playing the better of the two at the minute and has played the better stuff this weekend. You get the feeling he now believes he belongs at this level and it will be interesting to see if he can build on what he has done this weekend so far.
Smith has too many dips in his game for my liking and with that in mind I have to oppose him here. I think Cross will have a bit too much for him over the course of the 19 leg distance.
Tips
Back M.Suljovic (-2.5 legs) to beat K.Anderson for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Betbright
Back him here:
Back P.Wright vs D.Gurney – Over 16.5 legs for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Bwin
WON – Back R.Cross (-1.5 legs) to beat M.Smith for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with Bwin
Back them here:
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