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Michael van Gerwen, Simon Whitlock and Robert Thornton all won through to the quarter-finals of the European Championship with impressive victories on Saturday in Mulheim, Germany.

van Gerwen claimed a commanding win against Mervyn King, Whitlock saw off Colin Lloyd and Thornton completed his first ever success over Raymond van Barneveld.

Dutch star van Gerwen was in imperious form in his 10-3 triumph over King.

The reigning Premier League champion took out four finishes of over 100 and averaged 105 as he set up a last eight tie against Jelle Klaasen.

“I’m really pleased with the win and the performance,” said van Gerwen, the world number two.

“I was glad to improve on yesterday but I had to against Mervyn.

“I hope I can take this form into tomorrow and it could turn out to be a very good day for me.”

Whitlock moved a step closer to a successful defence of his first major title with a 10-6 triumph over Lloyd, which included six 180s for the Australian.

‘The Wizard’, who won the tournament last year, will take on Jamie Caven in Sunday afternoon’s quarter-finals.

“I’m over the moon as I took the couple of chances I had there,” said Whitlock.

“I don’t want to let this title go. I’m like a dog with a bone.

“Colin played very well but I found the shots I needed when I needed them and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Thornton came out on top in an absolute thriller against ‘Barney’, with the Scotsman winning a dramatic last leg decider.

The Scotsman had looked in control when he led 9-7 but van Barneveld forced the last leg shootout, in which both players missed darts to win.

“I thought i had him when i went 9-7 up,” said former UK Open champion Thornton, who faces Ronny Huybrects in the last eight.

“I always do it the hard way but his comeback got into my head a bit so I’m delighted to be through.

“I’m happy going into Sunday after that and I’m looking forward to another great battle.”

James Wade missed out on a quarter-final spot after suffering defeat at the hands of Jamie Caven, while Paul Nicholson was beaten narrowly by Andy Hamilton.

Meanwhile, Huybrechts won through to meet Thornton after knocking out Phil Taylor in a shock victory for the Belgian.

Sunday sees the conclusion of the £200,000 tournament, with the quarter-finals being played out in the afternoon before the semi-finals and final take place in the evening.

By Chris Murphy

Bronze tickets are still available to see van Gerwen, Whitlock, Wade, van Barneveld, Priestley, Huybrechts and Winstanley at OVER THE TOP in Barnsley on September 27 – GET YOURS HERE

Paul Nicholson and Michael van Gerwen both won through to the second round of the European Darts Championship with victories on Friday evening in Mulheim.

Nicholson saw off German youngster Max Hopp, while van Gerwen defeated Belgiums Kurt van de Rijck.

The world number two set up a tasty last 16 encounter against Mervyn King after seeing off his Belgian opponent.

“It wasn’t my best performance but I’m happy I won,” said van Gerwen, the reigning Premier League champion.

“It was hard to find my game but I’ll make sure it is there for the next one.

“Winning is the most important thing and I’m through so I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

van Gerwen won the first leg on double one before pegging double four for a break of throw.

He scored his first maximum in leg three, which he won by bedding double top.

But his second maximum couldn’t stop van de Rijck from pulling a leg back.

van Gerwen pinned double 16 to restore his three leg advantage and his third 180 helped him move 5-1 in front.

And the Dutchman finished the job by hitting double four.

Nicholson had to fight back from 3-1 down to defeat Hopp and silence the vociferous home crowd.

Nicholson pegged double 16 to win the opening leg but Hopp took the next three in a row.

‘The Asset’ stopped the rot by pinning double seven and he grabbed a crucial break of throw by taking out 56, restoring parity at three legs apiece.

Hopp broke straight back but Nicholson responded in kind when he neatly took out 65.

And the Australian pegged double top to edge ahead and move withing a leg of victory, and he found the same bed to seal the win.

Nicholson faces Andy Hamilton on Saturday afternoon.

Reigning European Champion Simon Whitlock made a fine start to the defence of his title with a first round victory over Kim Huybrechts on Thursday, while there were also wins for James Wade, Robert Thornton and Raymond van Barneveld in Mulheim, Germany.

Whitlock fought off the challenge of Huybrechts in an entertaining affair, which saw the Australian ace race into a 4-1 lead before his opponent took three legs in a row to draw level.

But ‘The Wizard’ grabbed a crucial break of throw at four apiece and went on to see out the victory with a fine 110 finish.

“I’m extremely pleased to have come through that,” admitted Whitlock, who will face Colin Lloyd in round two on Saturday.

“I knew I was in for a real battle when the draw came out and that’s exactly what happened. But I won’t be giving up this title easily, it was the proudest moment of my career when I won here last year and I would love to defend it.

“That’s a long way away yet but I’ve got past an excellent opponent in Kim and I’ll go away and prepare for the next one.”

Wade defeated Mark Webster 6-2 after winning the first three legs and taking out finishes of 80 and 96.

“I’m happy I won but it was difficult to play a friend,” said Wade.

“But I had a job to do and fortunately I got it done. Now I can look forward to the next one and the rest of the tournament.”

Thornton and van Barneveld will meet each other in the last 16 after their respective successes against Brendan Dolan and Tomas Seyler.

Thornton swept past Dolan convincingly, winning 6-2 despite struggling with a pulled muscle in his back, while ‘Barney’ claimed a 6-1 triumph over Germany’s Seyler.

Friday night’s action will see Michael van Gerwen take on Kurt van de Rijck and Paul Nicholson up against Max Hopp

By Chris Murphy

Bronze tickets are still available to see van Gerwen, Whitlock, Wade, van Barneveld, Priestley, Huybrechts and Winstanley at OVER THE TOP in Barnsley on September 27 – GET YOURS HERE