Raymond van Barneveld progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Championships with a nail-biting 10-9 win over Michael van Gerwen.
Van Barneveld holds off Van Gerwen in last leg thriller
Raymond van Barneveld progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Championships with a nail-biting 10-9 win over fellow Dutchman Michael van Gerwen.
Both players finished with four breaks of throw and Van Gerwen even posted a higher average of 103.86 to Barney's 102.25 but the latter prevailed in the deciding leg, defending his throw with a 14-darter.
Van Gerwen made a blistering start with an 11-darter to break at the first opportunity but the elder statesman responded with a break of his own and would not trail again.
Van Barneveld told the
PDC website: "I was an exciting game and Michael played awesome darts.
"He started brilliantly and I just had to try and keep my own throw all the way through the game and not let him break me.
"He's in great form, and it's not very often anyone will lose a game with a 103 average. I almost gave it away to him when I missed the four darts to win 10-7, but the 180 in the final leg really helped me."
Power scare
Earlier in the day, reigning champion Phil Taylor avoided a scare against Dutch youngster Jerry Hendriks, coming from 4-2 down to win 10-7 and remain on course for a fifth successive title.
"I was a bit worried to be honest," admitted Taylor. "I couldn't seem to break Jerry's throw and his finishing was great, especially the 142 checkout he hit early on to go 3-2 up.
"I'm not at my best yet but I'm through to Sunday and the quarter-finals, and I know I'll have to improve but I won't give this title up easily."
Belgium's emerging star Kim Huybrechts reached the quarter-finals for a second successive year with a 10-5 win over Ian White, hitting checkouts of 164, 121, 108 and 101 in a strong performance.
Australian Simon Whitlock maintained his challenge for a maiden major title with a 10-5 win over Dave Chisnall, coming from 3-1 down to win six successive legs in taking command.
Whitlock now plays Colin Lloyd in the last eight, after the former World Matchplay champion punished Richie Burnett for 25 missed doubles in a 10-8 win, with the Welshman crucially off-target 20 times on tops during the contest.
The number four and five seeds, Wes Newton and Andy Hamilton, will also clash in the last eight following their respective wins over Kevin Painter and Ronnie Baxter.
