QF for MVG in Gibraltar: beats Noppert

Wim Blokpoel - This weekend the 2021 Gibraltar Darts Trophy was played, the last of 2 European Tour events in 2021. Five Dutchmen played in it. Friday afternoon in round one we started with the Dutch Giant Martijn Kleermaker who took on Joe Murnan. From 4-5 down Kleermaker fought back to 5-5. But then he missed 4 Matchdarts, and so did Murnan! However, matchdart 5 was hit by Murnan and a painful defeat for Kleermaker means he won’t return to the European Championship where he beat Rob Cross last year. Also playing in round 1 was Geert ‘The Spear’ Nentjes. Just like in Budapest, Nentjes missed a lot of doubles which cost him as he got whitewashed 0-6 by Adam Hunt, and won’t make his European Championship debut now.

In the last 32, 3 Dutchmen were starting their tournament. Having lost to Keane Barry in Budapest, Dirk van Duijvenbode had to beat Ted Evetts to return to the European Championship where he made the last 8 in 2020. It was another 5-5, and after a horendous last leg Aubergenius lost 5-6 and misses the European Championship as well. Danny Noppert also had to win his game to make the Europeans as he took on Swedish Andreas Harrysson. Especially on his scoring, Noppert was very good this game, and he eventually won comfortably 6-2 as he booked his place into the European Championship once again! Second Dutchman in the Euros is Michael van Gerwen. In round 2 in Gibraltar he played former World Champion Rob Cross. A lot of missed doubles from both but especially from Cross and that cost him, as MVG also won 6-2.

In the last 16, Van Gerwen and Noppert played… each other! Noppert started very very strong, as he got 4-1 up. The Freeze also got 5-3 up, but then missed a matchdart on Double 13. Van Gerwen came back all the way to 5-5, but then missed 3 matchdarts himself! Noppert got 3 more as well now, but also missed them!! Matchdart 4 was won by MVG as he won the thriller against Noppert 6-5. Into the quarter-finals Van Gerwen played World Number One Gerwyn Price. Mighty Mike started the game, and that resulted in a 4-3 lead. On 4-4 however, Price broke his throw to make it 4-5. Van Gerwen broke straight back to 5-5, but just like Dirk in round 2, MVG had a disastrous last leg as Price easily won it and MVG went out 5-6. Both Van Gerwen and Noppert played good this weekend, but it wasn’t enough.

In the European Championship, Van Gerwen takes on Boris Krcmar from Croatia, as Noppert plays Poland’s number one Krzysztof Ratajski. But first on is the World Grand Prix next week, where along with Van Gerwen and Noppert we will also see last years finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode, Vincent van der Voort and debutant Martijn Kleermaker!