Who will achieve ruthless efficiency in Dusselfdorf?

It might be in the shadow of last week’s cracking World Matchplay in Blackpool, but the Darts European Championship kicking off tomorrow is a key tournament in the PDC calendar.

There may be a number of Players Championships over the next couple of months but this is the last chance of picking up some serious prize money before October’s World Grand Prix as the winner will leave Dusseldorf with £50,000.

The grand Prix is the next major in the darting year and there are just 12 places available for non-top 16 and non-Irish players so building up winnings is key and even a run to the quarter-finals will earn you £7,500 and could make all the difference.

There are some pretty tasty encounters on offer in the opening round of the European Championships, but given the nature of the qualification through the European Order of Merit for some players there are a few dud contests as well.

As much as Greek qualifier John Michael, whose £1,600 prize money has got him into the tournament, will be looking forward to facing Phil Taylor, anything other than a whitewash will be a surprise.

James Wade and Simon Whitlock will be heavy odds-on favourites for their contests with Magnus Caris and Mensur Suljovic respectively, even though Suljovic picked up that huge win over Wade at the last world championships.

My picks of the first round though are the following:

Justin Pipe v Paul Nicholson

Pipe is one of the rising stars in the PDC, his decent performance at the Matchplay has seen him break into the top 40 and it is most likely only a matter of time until he makes the top 32.  Nicholson isn’t the most fluent player but even his measured style could be disrupted by Pipe’s slow motion action.  Nicholson will be favourite for the contest but Pipe could really put a cog in the works of his world domination machine.

Mark Webster v Terry Jenkins

A Premier League contest repeated but the two men’s fortunes have been reversed since that competition came to an end and the PLD’s whipping boy is handing out some punishment of his own.  Webster has put the disappointment of his Premier League debut behind him and has looked excellent at the UK Open and the Matchplay and is up to 8^th in the World.  The Bull kicked off the Open by knocking out the world champ but has flopped since then and is below Webster for the first time ever, another loss for Jenks will continue a torrid year.

Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton

Two men who thoroughly impressed in Blackpool will be equally disappointed with this tough draw in the first round in Germany.  The Hammer was without doubt the surprise package of the Matchplay and has shot up to 11^th in the world picking up some huge scalps on the way.  This should provide him with some serious momentum but Barney will not be turned over easily and I expect the Dutchman to restore the natural order, but not too easily.

Betting Tip

There isn’t a whole lot of value on offer in the opening round but I would definitely back Michael van Gerwen to get the better of Ronnie Baxter at 5/4.  The Rocket has had a woeful year or so but continues to be odds on for most matches, I think the Dutchman will continue Ronnie’s bad streak.

Schedule of Play (times are local - BST+1)
Thursday July 28
First Round
8.05pm Mervyn King v Co Stompe
8.35pm Alan Tabern v Colin Lloyd
9.05pm John Part v Peter Wright
9.35pm Justin Pipe v Paul Nicholson
10.05pm Simon Whitlock v Mensur Suljovic
10.35pm Phil Taylor v John Michael
11.05pm Mark Webster v Terry Jenkins
11.35pm Gary Anderson v Jamie Caven

Friday July 29
First Round
8.05pm Wayne Jones v Mark Walsh
8.35pm Jelle Klaasen v Dave Chisnall
9.05pm Ronnie Baxter v Michael van Gerwen
9.35pm Kim Huybrechts v Antonio Alcinas
10.05pm James Wade v Magnus Caris
10.35pm Adrian Lewis v Vincent van der Voort
11.05pm Wes Newton v Andy Smith
11.35pm Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton