MVG Produces his "Best-ever" Win

Mighty Michael van Gerwen warmed up for his Aberdeen Premier League clash against Gary Anderson with his “greatest-ever” win. The dynamic Dutchman blistered his way to his third European Tour title of the year by taking the European Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, Germany on Sunday night. Van Gerwen beat James Wade 8-3 in the final as he recorded three consecutive averages in excess of 109 on the way to securing the £25,000 top prize. MVG, who faces Anderson in the Unibet Premier League in Aberdeen on Thursday night, admitted: “I think that was my best tournament ever. Three 110 averages, what more do you want? “When you have to fight for something, you appreciate it more. I'm a very happy man.” Wade was appearing in his second ranking final of the season but could only watch and as MVG roared to his 23rd European Tour title and 10th triumph of the year. The Machine added: “The first three or four legs I brought the game to him but after that I wasn't good enough. Hats off to Michael, he played brilliantly all day. I'm stepping in the right direction, it's not there quite yet but it's nearly there.” Van Gerwen went into an early 2-0 lead in the final but Wade soon hit back with a crisp 121 checkout on the bullseye. It then became a proper dogfight. MVG banged in a fine 161 kill and then a double 16 and 14 to move clear at 6-3 in front and in control - before hitting double eight to wrap up yet another title. Wade had an impressive run, including a 6-5 win over World Champion Rob Cross and then good wins over Simon Whitlock and Danny Noppert. Van Gerwen somehow survived an early scare as he came from 4-1 down to edge out Darren Webster in a last-leg decider before defeating Dave Chisnall 6-4 with a 109.5 average and five 180s to his opponent's 107.57 average and five maximums. But his pièce de résistance was a 7-0 drubbing of fellow Premier League star Michael Smith in the semi-final which only lasted 10 minutes and saw MVG register an average of 109.59. Meanwhile, Noppert produced a decent run to his first PDC ranking semi-final edging out defending champion Peter Wright 6-5 in the Last 16 and repeating that scoreline on Joe Cullen before eventually losing out to Wade.

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By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)