Our Blog

Raymond van Barneveld took victory in the PDC’s third European Tour Event, beating Dave Chisnall 6-4 in the final to seal the £15,000 title on the day that James Hubbard secured qualification for the Betfair World Matchplay.

‘Barney’ saw off Chisnall on Sunday evening in Germany, after victories against James Wade and Richie Burnett had booked his place in the final.

“Maybe this is the sign of a new Raymond,” said the Dutchman who also beat Ian White, Brendan Dolan and Gino Vos en route to victory.

“I had some tough games but I kept fighting and never gave in and this is where it has got me.”

Hubbard earned an army of Germans fans by putting together a brilliant run to the quarter-finals of the European Darts Open in Dusseldorf, to seal qualification for the World Matchplay in his first year as a professional.

The 19-year-old sensation followed up victories over Andy Hamilton and Steve Brown with a 6-3 triumph over Mark Walsh, sealing a spot at the Blackpool tournament.

“I’m over the moon to achieve something that I would have laughed at this time last year, ” said Hubbard, whose brilliant run in Dusseldorf was ended by a quarter-final defeat to Richie Burnett.

Photo: Carsten Arlt/PDC Europe

“I’m looking forward to playing in a venue that I’ve never been to but heard so many brilliant things about.”

Mervyn King continued his return to form with a run to the semi-finals.

‘The King’ reached the last four with a resounding 6-2 defeat of Colin Osborne, in which he posted an average of over 105, before losing out to Chisnall, who had edged past Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals.

King’s World Matchplay place was also confirmed during the course of the tournament, with Robert Thornton, Paul Nicholson and Vincent van der Voort also qualifying for the prestigious tournament.

By Chris Murphy