In an electrifying encounter, James Wade halted Luke Littler’s aspirations of becoming the world number one at the European Championship in Dortmund. Wade secured a hard-fought victory with a score of 10-7, marking his first victory over the reigning champion on television. With this win, Wade advances to face Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals.
Wade displayed impressive skill, achieving an average of 97.75 and completing three checkouts of over 100, including finishes of 121, 110, and 108. His success comes as a significant setback for Littler, who had previously reached the quarter-finals in nine consecutive major TV events.
In his post-match comments, Wade reflected on his performance, stating, “I don’t think Luke played very well in comparison. I should have run away with it a little bit more than I did.” He emphasized that his performance was a positive step forward, highlighting his ability to capitalize on Littler’s missed opportunities.
Quarters Set with High Stakes
Wade’s win is notable not just for the scoreline but also for its historical significance; he is now the only player to defeat every PDC world champion in history on television. Meanwhile, Humphries faced a challenging match against Cameron Menzies, recovering from an 8-6 deficit to win 10-8. Humphries averaged 103.64, demonstrating resilience and skill in a thrilling final leg.
“I was trying to hold myself together – very frustrating moments – but I did,” said Humphries. His ability to maintain composure during pressure-filled moments contributed significantly to his success.
The competition continued with Danny Noppert eliminating top seed Nathan Aspinall with a stunning 130 checkout, leading to a quarter-final matchup against Ricardo Pietreczko. Noppert averaged 101 and showcased remarkable precision on his doubles. Pietreczko, the last German player remaining in the tournament, achieved a notable victory over Jermaine Wattimena, finishing with checkouts of 164 and 125, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Van Gerwen Eyes Fifth Title
With his sights set on a fifth European Championship title, Michael van Gerwen advanced to the quarter-finals after a decisive 10-5 victory over Chris Dobey, averaging 100.7. Although pleased with his performance, van Gerwen noted, “I know it was solid, but it wasn’t special,” indicating that he has higher expectations for himself as the tournament progresses.
In other matches, Daryl Gurney capitalized on a poor display from Ross Smith, who missed 21 darts at doubles, to secure a 10-6 victory. Young talent Gian van Veen showcased his skills with a commanding 10-2 win over Ryan Searle, which included a breathtaking 170 checkout.
As the tournament approaches its climax, the quarter-finals are set to take place on Sunday afternoon, followed by the semi-finals and final in the evening. Fans can watch the exciting matches live on Sky Sports.
The European Championship continues to deliver high-stakes drama and remarkable performances, with players pushing themselves to the limit in pursuit of the title.
