Michael van Gerwen faced a tough challenge as he edged past fellow Dutch player Wessel Nijman in the first round of the European Championship. The match took place in Dortmund, Germany, where Van Gerwen made an impressive comeback from a 4-2 deficit to win 6-5.
Match Highlights
- Van Gerwen overcame Nijman after trailing by two legs.
- Nijman had seven match darts but failed to convert any.
- Van Gerwen secured victory with a 70 finish in the final leg.
Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, acknowledged the intensity of the match. He commented, “Wessel was playing well, but at the end he showed some nerves. It was a tough game, but I got the win.” He noted that he believed he could have won 6-4 had he capitalized earlier in the match.
Upcoming Focus
In a personal announcement, Van Gerwen revealed he would miss the Players Championship Finals in November to prioritize his family. He is currently navigating a divorce while raising two children.
Match Progression
Van Gerwen struggled initially, missing crucial darts in the sixth leg, which allowed Nijman to take a 4-2 lead. However, Van Gerwen quickly regained his composure, delivering two strong 14-dart legs to level the score.
After going 5-4 ahead, Van Gerwen faced further challenges. He missed three match darts, allowing Nijman to level the game at 5-5 by finishing 71. The match would ultimately culminate in a decisive leg where Nijman failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities.
Championship Context
The European Championship features the top 32 players from the European Tour rankings, and Van Gerwen aims for his fifth title in this prestigious tournament. The final match will take place on Sunday, wrapping up a thrilling series of contests.
