European Championship darts results: Michael van Gerwen's four-year title reign is ended by Steve West while Peter Wright crashes out

Van Gerwen was not only on a 21-match winning streak in this tournament having lifted the trophy in each of the past four stagings but he'd also won his last 11 matches this season, including two title runs at the World Grand Prix and the most recent European Tour event.

Also in MVG's favour was the fact he'd won all of his 11 previous meetings with his journeyman opponent and he was duly priced up as 1/20 favourite to cruise into the quarter-finals.

However West had other ideas as he pulled off the biggest win in his career since famously shocking Phil Taylor in the first round of the 2016 World Grand Prix.

The 43-year-old Englishman, who is still searching for his first career PDC title of any kind, is enjoying one of his most consistent seasons on tour also reached the UK Open back in March but few would have seen this coming.

It was little surprise to see van Gerwen one storm back to 5-5 from 4-1 but West refused to be intimidated, kicking off the next leg with a 180 and ending it with a 126 checkout to a complete a 12-darter.

He broke the world number one's throw in the next leg in 13 darts before another hold put him 8-5 up.

MVG stormed back with a stunning 11-darter but although he pulled another back, West won the next two legs for a famous upset, for which he'd been 9/1 to achieve.

"I can't describe the feeling," said West. "Unfortunately Michael didn't play his best game, but I took my chances. Beating Phil Taylor was huge for my career and gave me a lot more confidence, but this is one of the best wins ever because Michael is the best player in the world.

"To beat him is a triumph. I need to up my game a bit more because a 96 average won't win me the title, but tonight I took my chances when I needed to."

This latest major disappointment is far from the first this season for MVG, who despite winning 18 PDC tournaments including the Premier League in 2018 has also missed out at the UK Open, World Matchplay and the Champions League of Darts.

Peter Wright also suffered a surprise defeat to Simon Whitlock, who will now meet West on Sunday afternoon for a place in the semi-finals.

Snakebite was favourite to reach the last eight - especially after his brilliant 6-0 win on Thursday night - but he was well below his best in all areas of his game, and the Aussie took full advantage.

Wright missed 10 darts at doubles, failed to hit a single 180 and averaged just 87 while Whitlock hit five maximums, produced three 100+ checkouts including a 136 and averaged 90.

The Scotsman threatened a comeback when winning back-to-back legs to trail 8-6 only for Whitlock to get the job done with a 12-darter followed by a 101 checkout.

It's the first time the Wizard has beaten Wright this year having lost their last six encounters, including at the World Matchplay and Champions League of Darts and drawing the first in the Premier League.

Joe Cullen also sprung a minor surprise by dumping out Premier League runner-up Michael Smith as he reached the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time in a career which could finally be about to take off.

The Rockstar, who was tipped at 7/1 by our Chris Hammer to win his quarter of the draw, made a flying start when moving into a 4-0 lead although none of those legs were won in fewer than 15 darts.

Smith finally got going to take four of the next five legs but his double troubles returned and Cullen ran away with it to win 10-4.

The Bradford man three six 180s, hit six 180s and won the match with a 132 checkout while Smith missed 25 darts at doubles.

Cullen will next meet world champion Rob Cross, who thrashed Richard North despite not playing his best darts.

Voltage, who had actually lost both of their previous meetings, averaged 93 and hit just two 180s but a showstopping 142 checkout was the highlight.

North couldn't replicate the standard that helped him shock fourth seed Ian White on Thursday night and Cross took full advantage.

Afternoon session round-up

Dave Chisnall produced a stunning 157 finish to win the deciding leg of his first-round clash with Adrian Lewis during the afternoon session.

Lewis looked to be on the brink of victory at 5-4 in front and missed a dart for the match, before Chisnall levelled to force a dramatic decider.

Again, the two-time world champion looked in control as he set up a finish, but he could do nothing but turn away as Chisnall fired in a stunning finish, completing the most unlikely of victories on double 20.

Chisnall had led early on but Lewis was in front at 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4, only to lose the final two legs of a thriller in Dortmund.

Mensur Suljovic and Daryl Gurney had earlier crashed out on an afternoon of upsets.

Suljovic, considered one of the chief dangers, was well below best as he lost 6-3 to Cristo Reyes, while Gurney had double troubles in a 6-4 defeat to Ricky Evans.

Suljovic was never in front as he limped out of the event whereas Gurney led 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 before Evans fought back with some ruthless finishing.

Gurney, by contrast, began to struggle to finish off legs, typified by the three darts he missed in what proved to be the final leg as another big name was sent packing.

Darren Webster edged out Stephen Bunting 6-5 in a high-class encounter, Gerwyn Price beat Kyle Anderson 6-4 and James Wilson produced a sensational display to thrash Jonny Clayton 6-2.

Wilson threw six maximums and averaged 103.64 as he progressed with the highest average of the afternoon although perhaps the standout moment came when Germany's Max Hopp checked out 164 en route to a 6-1 victory over William O'Connor.

James Wade had little trouble dismissing home hope Martin Schindler 6-3, despite being short of his best.

Friday results & weekend schedule

Friday October 26
Afternoon Session
First Round (Best of 11 legs)

• Jonny Clayton 2-6 James Wilson
• Darren Webster 6-5 Stephen Bunting
• Gerwyn Price 6-4 Kyle Anderson
• Mensur Suljovic 3-6 Cristo Reyes
• Daryl Gurney 4-6 Ricky Evans
• Max Hopp 6-1 William O'Connor
• James Wade 6-3 Martin Schindler
• Adrian Lewis 5-6 Dave Chisnall

Evening Session (1900 BST)
Second Round (Best of 19 legs)
TV Channel: ITV4

• Joe Cullen 10-4 Michael Smith
• Simon Whitlock 10-6 Peter Wright
• Richard North 2-10 Rob Cross
• Michael van Gerwen 7-10 Steve West

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Saturday October 27 (1900 BST)
Second Round (Best of 19 legs)
TV Channel: ITV4

• Gerwyn Price v Dave Chisnall
• Cristo Reyes v Darren Webster
• James Wade v Ricky Evans
• Max Hopp v James Wilson

Sunday October 28
Afternoon Session (1245 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
TV Channel: ITV4

• Steve West v Simon Whitlock
• Joe Cullen v Rob Cross
• Two more games to follow

Evening Session (1900 BST)
TV Channel: ITV4

• Semi-Finals (Best of 21 legs)
• Final (Best of 21 legs)

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