Kim Huybrechts will be looking to retain his title at the HappyBet European Darts Grand Prix this weekend, as world number one Michael van Gerwen goes in search of his sixth European Tour title of the year at the Glaspalast Arena in Sindelfingen.
Huybrechts defeated Peter Wright in a thriller to win last year’s title, and he’ll be hoping to maintain his impressive European Tour form, having reached a final and semi-final within the last fortnight.
The Belgian was edged out in the last four by eventual winner Michael van Gerwen in Muelheim last week, and MvG will be hoping to continue his dominance on German soil. The Dutchman clinched the 13th European Tour title of his career last week, winning the European Darts Trophy.
Van Gerwen prevailed in a last-leg decider against Mensur Suljovic, who has enjoyed a phenomenal two weeks. Suljovic won his maiden PDC crown at the European Darts Open in Riesa, before reaching his second final within a week last Sunday. The Austrian is seeded eighth, therefore could be in line to meet ‘The Green Machine’ again this weekend.
Daryl Gurney has been forced to withdraw from his third consecutive European Tour event, as he is yet to recover from an injury to his throwing hand, whilst former European Tour winner Dave Chisnall won’t be competing in Sindelfingen, having withdrawn with a neck problem.
However, five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will be making his first appearance on the European Tour this year, having come through the qualifiers yesterday evening. Van Barneveld will meet Scott Dale in the final match of Friday’s afternoon session, with the winner set to face Simon Whitlock.
Other stand-out first-round ties see former Lakeside world champion Christian Kist take on Brendan Dolan, whilst Devon Petersen meets James Wilson. Robbie Green will take on former World-Youth champion Arron Monk, whilst two other World-Youth champions collide, as James Hubbard locks horns with home favourite Max Hopp.
Elsewhere, former BDO star Jeffrey de Graaf meets Tony West, Mick McGowan takes on Ronny Huybrechts, and Cristo Reyes and Robert Marijanovic face off, having both come through Thursday’s European qualifiers.
Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis are once again absent from European Tour duty, and as a consequence, Lewis will miss out on qualification for next month’s European Championships.
The full tournament bracket and schedule for the HappyBet European Darts Grand Prix can be found below.
HappyBet European Darts Grand Prix Tournament Draw Bracket:
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Robert Allenstein/Darren Webster
Steve Beaton (16) v Alan Tabern/Scott Taylor
Mensur Suljovic (8) v Mick McGowan/Ronny Huybrechts
Gerwyn Price (9) v James Hubbard/Max Hopp
Michael Smith (5) v Tony West/Jeffrey de Graaf
Stephen Bunting (12) v Jermaine Wattimena/Fabian Herz
Kim Huybrechts (4) v Andy Boulton/Martin Schindler
Alan Norris (13) v Nathan Aspinall/Jay Foreman
Peter Wright (2) v Christian Kist/Brendan Dolan
Joe Cullen (15) v Robbie Green/Arron Monk
James Wade (7) v Robert Owen v Mark Frost
Jelle Klaasen (10) v Gabriel Clemens/Jonny Clayton
Benito van de Pas (6) v Cristo Reyes /Robert Marijanovic
Terry Jenkins (11) v Joe Murnan/Dragutin Horvat
Ian White (3) v Devon Petersen/James Wilson
Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld/Scott Dale
Friday September 16
First Round
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Nathan Aspinall v Jay Foreman
Robert Owen v Mark Frost
Joe Murnan v Dragutin Horvat
Alan Tabern v Scott Taylor
Robert Allenstein v Darren Webster
Mick McGowan v Ronny Huybrechts
James Hubbard v Max Hopp
Raymond van Barneveld v Scott Dale
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Christian Kist v Brendan Dolan
Tony West v Jeffrey de Graaf
Gabriel Clemens v Jonny Clayton
Robbie Green v Arron Monk
Andy Boulton v Martin Schindler
Cristo Reyes v Robert Marijanovic
Jermaine Wattimena v Fabian Herz
Devon Petersen v James Wilson
Saturday September 17
First Round
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Terry Jenkins v Joe Murnan/Dragutin Horvat
Alan Norris v Nathan Aspinall/Jay Foreman
James Wade v Robert Owen/Mark Frost
Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld /Scott Dale
Gerwyn Price v James Hubbard/Max Hopp
Steve Beaton v Alan Tabern/Scott Taylor
Stephen Bunting v Jermaine Wattimena/Fabian Herz
Michael Smith v Tony West/Jeffrey de Graaf
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Jelle Klaasen v Gabriel Clemens/Jonny Clayton
Benito van de Pas v Cristo Reyes/Robert Marijanovic
Kim Huybrechts v Andy Boulton/Martin Schindler
Mensur Suljovic v Mick McGowan/Ronny Huybrechts
Michael van Gerwen v Robert Allenstein/Darren Webster
Peter Wright v Christian Kist/Brendan Dolan
Ian White v Devon Petersen/James Wilson
Joe Cullen v Robbie Green/Arron Monk
Sunday September 18
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Third Round
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final