2015 European Darts Grand Prix: Scores, Results, Updated Schedule After Friday
Raymond van Barneveld booked his place in Round 2 of the European Darts Grand Prix, as the popular Dutchman toppled Johnny Haines 6-3 in his match on Friday.
Aside from Van Barneveld, who made it into this tournament as an international qualifier, there were wins for Mensur Suljovic, Mark Webster and Stephen Bunting as the ninth and final leg of European Tour got underway in Sindelfingen, Germany, with 16 pulsating matches.
With none of the seeded players featuring until later on in the weekend, this was an ideal opportunity to run the rule over some of the outsiders for the title. Here’s a look at the results from Friday’s first-round matches and a recap of the standout moments from Day 1.
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| Afternoon Session | ||
| Robbie Green | 1-6 | Mickey Mansell |
| Mark Webster | 6-3 | Stephen Willard |
| Johnny Haines | 3-6 | Raymond van Barneveld |
| Jyhan Artut | 3-6 | Lee Evans |
| Mensur Suljovic | 6-4 | Mark Barilli |
| Dave Ladley | 6-5 | Magnus Caris |
| Rowby-John Rodriguez | 3-6 | Jeffrey de Zwaan |
| Joe Cullen | 6-3 | Antonio Alcinas |
| Evening Session | ||
| Steve Beaton | 6-3 | Mark Walsh |
| Robert Marijanovic | 5-6 | Jermaine Wattimena |
| Max Hopp | 5-6 | Gerwyn Price |
| Ricky Evans | 4-6 | David Pallett |
| Devon Petersen | 5-6 | Dean Winstanley |
| Stefan Stoyke | 4-6 | Jamie Caven |
| Stephen Bunting | 6-4 | Alan Norris |
| Kevin Munch | 0-6 | Johnny Clayton |
| (1) Michael van Gerwen | vs. | Mensur Suljovic |
| (16) Mervyn King | vs. | Jeffrey de Zwaan |
| (8) Brendan Dolan | vs. | Raymond van Barneveld |
| (9) Dave Chisnall | vs. | Joe Cullen |
| (5) Ian White | vs. | Michael Mansell |
| (12) Terry Jenkins | vs. | Lee Evans |
| (4) Peter Wright | vs. | Jermaine Wattimena |
| (13) Vincent van der Voort | vs. | Stephen Bunting |
| (2) Michael Smith | vs. | Dean Winstanley |
| (15) Benito van de Pas | vs. | Gerwyn Price |
| (7) Kim Huybrechts | vs. | Dave Ladley |
| (10) Justin Pipe | vs. | Steve Beaton |
| (6) Robert Thornton | vs. | Johnny Clayton |
| (11) Jelle Klaasen | vs. | David Pallett |
| (3) James Wade | vs. | Mark Webster |
| (14) Simon Whitlock | vs. | Jamie Caven |
Van Barneveld Shows His Class
Short matches and a knockout format give all the players in this competition a fighting chance of going far in the bracket, but top quality still shines through, even in these quick-fire affairs, and top quality is exactly what Van Barneveld is in possession of.
Haines was no match for Barney, as he averaged over 100 on the way to a 6-3 victory in the afternoon session. It was a win that contained two 14-dart legs from the former world champion, notching his first-ever career victory against the determined Englishman.
As we can see, the veteran, who plays eighth seed Brendan Dolan in Round 2, was delighted to emerge victorious against an opponent who has caused issues for him previously, per Live Darts:
Former world championship runner-up Webster was equally as impressive, though. The Welshman was a 6-3 winner over Stephen Willard on Friday, continuing the momentum he built with a semi-final showing at the World Grand Prix last week.
Webster opened up a 3-0 lead in this one, and while he did get a little complacent with the finishing line in sight, there was never any doubt he would make it through. As the Welshman noted afterward, in this kind of format, it’s winning, not performances, that matter most, per Live Darts:
Suljovic was made to battle in his match with Mark Barilli but eventually scrambled through by a 6-4 scoreline.
The Austrian was expected to be a comfortable victor after showing some strong recent form, making it to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in his last outing. Indeed, while not necessarily a household name, Suljovic has enjoyed an excellent year, turning in strong performances all season in the high-profile tournaments.
So credit must go to Barilli for continuing to cling on, but eventually the Austrian was too strong. His reward will be a clash with top seed Michael van Gerwen in Round 2 on Sunday.
As we can see here courtesy of Bet365, both men came very close to glory in the World Grand Prix but fell short against a gnarly Robert Thornton in the latter stages:
It’s a tough draw for the Dutchman, who will be hoping to bounce back after falling at the final hurdle in the World Grand Prix last week. However, he’s excelled in the European Tour events this season, winning four of the eight so far. Suljovic will be a tough competitor, but it’d take a brave man to bet against Van Gerwen coming through that one.
Other recognisable faces in action over the next couple of days will be Thornton, second seed Michael Smith and World Matchplay finalist James Wade.
Round 2 matches to be played on Saturday, October 17. Draw details and statistics courtesy of the PDC website.
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