Littler Shines with 114.47 Average in European Championship Quarters

Luke Littler continued his excellent form at the European Championship, showcasing his skills with a stunning average of 114.47 in a decisive 10-5 victory over Nathan Aspinall.

Dominant Start

The World Champion surged into action right from the first leg, achieving an impressive four-leg sequence that included stunning outputs of 12, 11, 12, and 11 darts. This allowed him to race to a remarkable 4-0 lead, boasting an early average exceeding 130.

Despite Aspinall's herculean effort, which featured ten 180s during the match, he managed to claw back some legs, narrowing the score to 5-4. However, Littler remained undeterred and regained control to secure his spot in the quarter-finals.

“I felt really good from the off tonight,” Littler reflected post-match, noting his approach to maintaining focus. “Nathan is always there. He’s always going to come back at you, so I couldn’t afford a drop off.”

Looking Ahead

Having set his sights on the European Championship - the one major title still eluding him - Littler is poised to face Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals. Ratajski himself had a dramatic match, coming from behind against Kevin Doets, eventually winning 10-8 and showcasing a commendable average close to 97.

Other Quarter-Final Highlights

Luke Woodhouse also had a notable performance, following up his impressive nine-dart finish with a solid 10-6 win against defending champion Gian van Veen. Woodhouse attributes his success in part to seizing opportunities when his opponent falters.

“Being in the quarter-finals is huge,” Woodhouse said after his victory, having secured checkouts of 114, 117, and 129. “When someone of Gian’s quality is not at it, you’ve got to pounce on them.”

Moreover, Ross Smith continued his quest for a second European title by overcoming Damon Heta 10-7, despite a late comeback attempt from Heta. Smith dominated early in the match, maintaining a formidable average of 112.

Exciting Showdowns and Crowd Support

In a thrilling match, German player Martin Schindler delighted the home crowd by defeating Jermaine Wattimena 10-4, advancing to face Jonny Clayton next. Schindler, supported by over 7,000 enthusiastic fans, made 53% of his shots at double, marking a significant win in his career.

“I definitely enjoyed that,” Schindler expressed, feeling the energy from the crowd. “This year has been very strange for me, but I feel like I’m playing better now.”

Clayton's match against Josh Rock concluded with a narrow 10-8 victory, highlighting his trademark finishing skills with a standout 121 checkout on the bullseye.

Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting are also on track to meet after securing their quarter-final spots. Price displayed his prowess with three checkouts over 100 against Cameron Menzies, while Bunting achieved finishes of 100, 108, 116, and 121 to deliver a strong show against Kim Huybrechts.

The quarter-finals promise to be an exciting affair with an array of talent on display.