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Michael van Gerwen Triumphs at German Darts Grand Prix

Michael van Gerwen secured a much-needed victory at the Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Grand Prix on Monday, defeating compatriot Gian van Veen to earn his 38th European Tour title, a record in the event’s history, in Munich.

After a series of underwhelming performances, Van Gerwen showcased his elite skills, winning the tournament in impressive fashion. He defeated Van Veen with an 8-5 scoreline in the final, finishing strong after leveling the match at five legs apiece by winning the final three legs consecutively.

Van Gerwen’s path to victory included surviving three match darts against Kim Huybrechts in his opening match on Sunday and a dominant performance against Ryan Searle in the last 16, where he averaged 104 in a convincing 6-1 win.

Van Gerwen Achieves Milestones at Euro Tour

400th Euro Tour match
50th Euro Tour final
38th Euro Tour title
4th Euro Tour 9-darter

The 35-year-old proceeded to defeat Ryan Joyce in the quarter-finals, showcasing a flawless display on the outer ring, before overpowering Josh Rock with five straight legs for a 7-2 victory in the semi-finals. This set up a highly anticipated final against World Youth Champion Van Veen, who had previously faced off with Van Gerwen in the final of the Hungarian Darts Trophy last September.

Luke Littler, the promising young star, reached the semi-finals before bowing out to Van Veen, losing 7-4. Littler’s progress included a spectacular 170 checkout in his last-16 match against Joe Cullen, which he won 6-3, and a nail-biting quarter-final victory over Peter Wright, where he emerged victorious with a narrow 6-5 scoreline.

After his exit from the tournament, Wright expressed his frustration about the competition, stating he felt he shouldn’t have participated in Munich, highlighting a commitment to return for the next event in Dortmund.

Netherlands’ Prominence on the European Tour

The Netherlands has claimed 40 titles in the European Tour, trailing only behind England, who lead with 47 titles.
38 Michael van Gerwen
1 Raymond van Barneveld
1 Vincent van der Voort

Van Gerwen Reflects on His Win

Expressing the significance of his victory, Van Gerwen stated, “This win is incredibly important to me. I have faced many challenges recently and struggled to perform at my best. Winning this tournament is a massive boost for my confidence.” He acknowledged the pressure that comes with competing at such a high level but emphasized his dedication to fight through it, stating, “I really needed this win.”

Commitment to Premier League Play-Offs

Currently sitting outside the Play-Off spots in the Premier League, Van Gerwen noted that the victory in Munich would bolster his confidence as he navigates a challenging season. “I’m in a tough position right now, but I will never give up. That’s just not how I operate. I will keep pushing forward,” he affirmed.

Van Veen, who narrowly missed his first European Tour title just days before turning 23, reflected positively on his performance despite the loss, stating, “It’s been a fantastic three days for me. Although we didn’t play our best in the final, I am proud to take second place and am optimistic about my future in the sport.” His performance has elevated him to a career-high ranking of world No 23.

Looking ahead, the PDC European Tour will continue at the Premstattner Halle in Graz, where the Austrian Darts Open is set to take place from April 25-27, following an exhilarating weekend in Munich.

Monday, April 21
Afternoon Session
Third Round Results:
Josh Rock 6-4 Gerwyn Price
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Rob Cross
Ryan Joyce 6-4 Niels Zonneveld
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Ryan Searle
Ross Smith 6-2 Dave Chisnall
Gian van Veen 6-4 Martin Schindler
Peter Wright 6-4 Madars Razma
Luke Littler 6-3 Joe Cullen

Evening Session
Quarter-Finals Results:
Josh Rock 6-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Ryan Joyce
Gian van Veen 6-3 Ross Smith
Luke Littler 6-5 Peter Wright

Semi-Finals Results:
Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Josh Rock
Gian van Veen 7-4 Luke Littler

Final Result:
Michael van Gerwen 8-5 Gian van Veen

Upcoming Premier League Fixtures

Next Event: Night 12 at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool on Thursday, April 24

Quarter-finals Matchups:
Luke Humphries vs Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen vs Luke Littler
Rob Cross vs Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price vs Chris Dobey

The action resumes at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, featuring key matches including Van Gerwen taking on Littler and Humphries facing Aspinall. Fans can tune in to watch Night 12 of the Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports Main Event.

Source
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