The darts circuit returns this weekend when the stars of the game head to Hildesheim in Germany for the German Darts Championship. The European Tour is in its final run towards the European Championship so we’re getting to the stage where every win and every pound is vital.
Peter Wright won the title 12 months ago but he has already pulled out of the competition this year so we are guaranteed a new champion. Michael van Gerwen is the man expected to win the tournament as ever.
Recent Winners
2017 – Peter Wright
2016 – Alan Norris
2015 – Michael van Gerwen
2014 – Gary Anderson
2013 – Dave Chisnall
2012 – Phil Taylor
2009 – Phil Taylor
2008 – Co Stompe
2007 – Phil Taylor
The Format
The revised format for this tournaments in 2018 is pretty well known now but for those who haven’t seen it or have forgotten in the couple of months since there has been a tournament the 16 seeded players face one of the qualifiers in the last 32 on Saturday with the last 16 on Sunday afternoon. Sunday evening begins with the quarter finals all of which are the best of 11 legs before a rise to the best of 13 for the semi-finals. The champion is crowned on Sunday evening over the best of 15 legs.
Top Half
The draw has been reversed this week so it is Michael Smith who is the leading seed in the top half of the draw. Rob Cross showed good form down under in the World Series events and he is in here too. The other seeded players in this section are Simon Whitlock, Mensur Suljovic, Darren Webster, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Stephen Bunting.
Kyle Anderson is the leading qualifier in this part of the draw and his last 32 clash with Rob Cross should be a cracker. Andrew Gilding is another of the qualifiers. They are joined by Michael Rasztovits, Ricky Evans, Robert Thornton, James Wilson, Krzysztof Ratajski and Ron Meulenkamp in what looks a tough half of the draw.
Bottom Half
With Michael van Gerwen in the bottom half that one will be no easier. Daryl Gurney should be refreshed from an extended break and he is in this part of the draw while Joe Cullen will be aiming to prove his World Matchplay run was no fluke. Gerwyn Price, Ian White, Dave Chisnall, Mervyn King and Steve Beaton make up the seeds here.
Adrian Lewis is the big name of the qualifiers in this part of the draw with blast from the past Terry Jenkins also being in this section of the draw. They are joined by Josh Payne, Jan Dekker, Darren Johnson, Mark Webster, Cristo Reyes and Martin Schindler in a half which should offer up plenty of encouragement for the crowds.
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Betting
If a draw is going to open right up then it could be this one with only four or five players having thrown a competitive dart in anger among the seeds in the last six weeks so I’ll take a chance on an outsider in the top half of the draw in the hope that some bigger names fall and opens the way.
That player is Stephen Bunting who could have a lovely draw here. If he can beat Ron Meulenkamp, who he beat 6-0 in their last meeting, then he would face a Michael Smith who he has a 6-2 head to head lead against and the worst case scenario in the quarter final would be James Wade and he is 4-1 up on him on current records. Bunting made the semi-finals of the last European Tour event he competed in where he lost to Michael van Gerwen. He wouldn’t play him until the final here so the each way money would be in the bank by then. 100/1 is a daft price and I’m happy to have a go at it.
Tips
Back S.Bunting to win German Darts Championship (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 101.00 with William Hill (1/3 1-2)
Back him here:
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