Gary Anderson has made a remarkable return to the European Championship, advancing to the quarter-finals by defeating Michael van Gerwen 10-4. This marks Anderson’s first appearance in the tournament since 2016, when he faced a first-round exit.
Despite Van Gerwen breaking ahead early with a 107 checkout, Anderson quickly regained control, taking the lead with a 13-darter followed by a 60 finish. He continued to dominate, heading into the break with a 4-1 lead, and extended that margin to 5-1 after the break. A series of impressive legs, including a 12-darter, put Anderson ahead 8-3.
Van Gerwen managed to break back in the 12th leg, but Anderson responded with a 16-darter to make it 9-4. He sealed the match in style with another 12-darter, showcasing his quality.
In the quarter-finals, Anderson will face Ritchie Edhouse, who pulled off an impressive victory over former world champion Michael Smith in the second round. This will be Edhouse’s first quarter-final appearance in a major tournament, while Anderson brings extensive experience, having won eight major titles in the PDC. However, Anderson’s recent form has been inconsistent, with just one quarter-final appearance at a ranking major in the last two seasons.
