PDC European Championship Darts: Michael van Gerwen survives scare as Ricardo Pietreczko strikes again

Michael van Gerwen survived a major scare when he was denied Madars Razma at the European Championship when reigning champion Ross Smith crashed out; Next up on the Sky Sports Darts calendar is the Grand Slam of Darts from November 11-19 at Aldersley Leisure Village

Michael van Gerwen suffered two match darts before reaching the second round of the European Championships in Dortmund, while German man-of-the-moment Ricardo Pietreczko knocked out defending champion Ross Smith.

Four-time European champion Van Gerwen led 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 before Razma turned the match on its head, only for the Dutchman to survive a match dart in each of the final two legs to make a shocking early exit occur in Dortmund.

Van Gerwen produced 148 and 108 checkouts to build an early cushion, but a spirited Razma maintained his ruthless scoring and fired a clutch of 11 darters to restore parity at four apiece.

Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch MVG win a record-breaking seventh Premier League title in style at the O2 in London

The Latvian then outshot 112 in leg nine to reach the brink of victory at 5-4, before missing the tops for 80 and 142 finishes in a thrilling final.

Van Gerwen took advantage of his reprieve by firing a brilliant 12-dart break in the decider to advance to Saturday’s second round, despite Razma averaging almost 105.

“I had to produce something special because Madars were absolutely phenomenal,” admitted Van Gerwen, who scored an average of 97 and hit 75 percent of his double attempts.

“You have to give Madars credit. I don’t think anyone expected him to play so well, but I held my nerve and that’s the most important thing.

“The longer format (in round two) will hopefully help me, but you still have to perform. Everyone is playing well, so you can’t underestimate anyone. You have to be sharp from the start.”

Ricardo Pietreczko won his first PDC title at the German championship last week

Day two of the £600,000 event saw the remaining first round matches take place on Friday, as debutant Pietreczko knocked out reigning champion Smith to the delight of his home crowd.

Pietreczko, a winner of the recent German Darts Championship, produced a superb performance to set up a last-16 date against Van Gerwen, averaging 104.28 to celebrate a 6-3 success.

The 29-year-old raced into a three-stage lead and refused to relent as the reigning European champion saw his hopes of retaining the title ended.

Smith’s defeat means he became the fifth consecutive defending champion to lose in the first round of the tournament.

Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Luke Humphries defeated Gerwyn Price in the final of the World Grand Prix thanks to this sensational 138 checkout

Elsewhere, newly crowned World Grand Prix Champion Luke Humphries advanced to the second round with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Brendan Dolan.

European Machineseeker Championship 2023
Friday October 27
First round x8
Gian van Veen 6-1 Damon Heta
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Joe Cullen
Daryl Gurney 6-2 Josh Rock
Jose De Sousa 6-4 Jonny Clayton
James Wade 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Humphries 6-1 Brendan Dolan
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Madars Razma
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-3 Ross Smith

Saturday October 28
Second round
Afternoon session (1200-1600 BST)
Chris Dobey vs. Stephen Bunting
Rob Cross vs. Danny Noppert
Gerwyn Price vs. Nathan Aspinall
Michael Smith vs. Peter Wright

Evening session (1800-2200 BST)
Gian van Veen against Daryl Gurney
James Wade vs. Jose de Sousa
Luke Humphries vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
Michael van Gerwen against Ricardo Pietreczko
The best of 19 legs

Watch the seventeenth staging of the Grand Slam of Darts at Aldersley Leisure Village from November 11 to 19. Stream your favorite sports and more with NOW