CAN PRICE PREVAIL IN HUNGARY?
World Number 1 and recent New Zealand Darts Masters Champion Gerwyn Price will be looking for a first victory on the Euro Tour this year, as he prepares to defend the Hungarian Darts Trophy which he won last year against Michael Smith 8-2 in the Final.
The Iceman despite losing his World Number 1 spot due to an explosive Peter Wright, wrestled it back after reaching the Final of this years World Matchplay bettering the Quarter Final finish the World Champion managed in Blackpool.
The Iceman will enter in Saturday’s evening session against either Franz Roetszch or Madars Razma in the Hungarian capital, with the pair opening the tournament on Friday afternoon.
Michael van Gerwen the reigning Premier League and World Matchplay champion will also feature in ET10 this weekend, having won two titles on the European circuit already this year. Most recently the Dutchman claimed victory in the first part of the Australia and New Zealand World Series triple header, winning the Queensland Darts Masters against the World Number 1 in the Final.
Mighty Mike could be set for a rematch against Simon Whitlock in Hungary if the Australian comes through his First-Round match against Janos Vegso on Friday night. The Wizard knocked the Vlijmen ace out of the New South Wales Darts Masters last month in his home country.
Jonny Clayton another winner down under could face a difficult opening round encounter with Dave Chisnall on Saturday afternoon, with Chizzy impressing at the World Matchplay having beat Kim Huybrechts before a narrow 11-8 defeat to Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. The Englishman will face Daniel Larsson in the second match of the evening session for a place in the Second Round.
The Ferret rediscovered the form that put him top of this year’s Premier League last month and will hope to add his first title on the Euro Tour this weekend. The Welshman defeated James Wade 8-1 in the Final of the New South Wales Darts Masters after beating Joe Cullen 7-1 in the Semi, dropping just two legs in his last two matches.
The First Round sees Lakeside World Finalist Thibault Tricole make his second appearance on the Euro Tour stage having appeared at the Austrian Darts Open at the end of April. The French Touch lost out 6-5 to Red Dragon star Neil Duff in Surrey but has enjoyed good runs in the qualifying events, showing the confidence was not knocked after his defeat.
The Winmau star will face Karel Sedlacek in the afternoon session, with the Czech Republic international reaching the Quarter Finals of the German Darts Championship back in March.
Coverage kicks off on PDC TV on Friday from midday as action in Budapest kicks off, with the likes of Ryan Meikle and Jeff Smith in action as the First-Round action starts for Euro Tour 10.
By Harry Masterson
Hungarian Darts Trophy Order of Play: Friday
Afternoon Session:
Franz Roetzsch v Madars Razma
Brett Claydon v Jim Williams
Boris Krcmar v Levente Sarai
Jeff Smith v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez
Darius Labanauskas v Josh Rock
Thibault Tricole v Karel Sedlacek
Andras Borbely v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Daryl Gurney v Nathan Rafferty
Evening Session:
Ian White v Martin Lukeman
Dave Chisnall v Daniel Larsson
Pal Szekely v William O’Connor
Ted Evetts v Chris Dobey
Simon Whitlock v Janos Vegso
Raymond van Barneveld v Rowby-John Rodriguez
Stephen Bunting v Callan Rydz
Gabriel Clemens v Ryan Meikle