Michael van Gerwen mocked opponent Michael Unterbuchner after beating him 6-2 on the European Darts Grand Prix on Saturday night.
The Dutchman cruised by way of his first match of the event in Sindelfingen, which he’s looking for to win for a 3rd time, earlier than addressing feedback made by his German opponent on Friday.
Unterbuchner shocked William O’Connor within the first spherical after which joked: “Who is that?” when he was requested about going through Van Gerwen.
But the three-time world champion was unimpressed, saying: “He’s one of them guys that tries to be funny.
“He’s by no means crushed me in his life and he won’t ever beat me in his life. He’s not adequate. Even my B-game and C-game beats him however who cares? “
He added: “The day I’m going to worry myself about Unterbuchner, that’s the day I’m going to quit playing darts.”
Niko Springer will now face Danny Noppert after his win over Gary Anderson
Van Gerwen will face Jermaine Wattimena within the final 16 on Saturday afternoon after his fellow Dutchman averaged 99 to prevail in his all-Dutch conflict in opposition to Kevin Doets.
In this greatest shock of the event to this point, Niko Springer dumped out reigning champion Gary Anderson.
The Scot produced two ton-plus checkouts, but it surely wasn’t sufficient as Germany’s Springer secured a convincing 6-3 victory. He will now tackle Danny Noppert, who survived a scare to sink Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak.
The efficiency of the day was produced by Premier League chief Jonny Clayton, who averaged 106.78 in powering to a 6-1 victory in opposition to Latvia’s Valters Melderis.
The Welshman raced out of the blocks with legs of 13, 11 and 11 darts, earlier than threatening a nine-dart end within the closing phases of the competition.
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy debate who’s the very best Dutch darts participant of all time
Wessel Nijman additionally delivered a press release show in Sindelfingen, averaging greater than 104 in a 6-2 win over Ryan Searle. Nijman will now proceed his cost for a second European Tour title of 2026 in opposition to seventh seed Stephen Bunting, who transformed 75 per cent of his makes an attempt at double in overcoming Mickey Mansell 6-3.
However, prime seed Gian van Veen suffered an early exit by the hands of Joe Cullen, who produced a mid-match burst to advance to the final 16 of a European Tour occasion for the primary time in 12 months.
James Wade introduced an finish to his five-match dropping run on the European Tour, averaging 104.15 to account for a resurgent Kim Huybrechts and e book a gathering with Nathan Aspinall in spherical three.
Aspinall started his bid for back-to-back European Tour titles with a complete 6-1 win on the expense of Jeffrey de Zwaan, together with an impressive 170 end.
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Darts referee Huw Ware makes his ideas identified concerning the whistles within the crowd through the European Darts Grand Prix. Video credit score: @OfficialPDC
Gerwyn Price opened his problem with victory over Dave Chisnall, averaging 99.71 and firing in 5 180s to arrange a gathering with Chris Dobey, who swept apart final yr’s runner-up Andrew Gilding.
Martin Schindler joined his fellow countryman Springer within the final 16, defying a sluggish begin to deny Australian primary Damon Heta and arrange an attractive tussle in opposition to Clayton.
Josh Rock and Ross Smith may also go head-to-head on Finals Day, following 6-3 successes in opposition to Keane Barry and Cameron Menzies respectively.
Krzysztof Ratajski will face Cullen for a spot within the quarter-finals, after punishing a poor doubling show from Mike De Decker.
The European Darts Grand Prix reaches its climax on Sunday, with the final 16 gamers within the afternoon, earlier than the quarter-finals, semi-finals and remaining are held in a bumper night session.
2026 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix: Saturday outcomes
Saturday April 18
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 native time, 1200 BST)
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Mike De Decker
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Kevin Doets
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Ryan Searle
Danny Noppert 6-5 Oskar Lukasiak
Chris Dobey 6-2 Andrew Gilding
Niko Springer 6-3 Gary Anderson
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock 6-3 Keane Barry
Evening Session (1900 native time, 1800 BST)
Ross Smith 6-3 Cameron Menzies
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Dave Chisnall
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan
James Wade 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
Joe Cullen 6-3 Gian van Veen
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Michael Unterbuchner
Martin Schindler 6-5 Damon Heta
Jonny Clayton 6-1 Valters Melderis
2026 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix: Sunday schedule
Afternoon Session (12pm)
Joe Cullen v Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noppert v Niko Springer
James Wade v Nathan Aspinall
Josh Rock v Ross Smith
Michael van Gerwen v Jermaine Wattimena
Stephen Bunting v Wessel Nijman
Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey
Evening Session (6pm)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
Who will win this yr’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries can be defending his title and you’ll watch the motion each single Thursday till May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
