Michael van Gerwen delivered a scathing assessment of Michael Unterbuchner’s performance following a convincing 6-2 victory at the European Darts Grand Prix. The Dutch player easily advanced to the round-of-16 after outclassing Unterbuchner, who had jokingly mentioned facing van Gerwen the day before.
Unterbuchner, who had caused an upset by defeating William O’Connor in the previous round, humorously remarked, “Michael van Gerwen? Who’s that? No, no, just kidding. I’m looking forward to it.”
The three-time world champion did not take kindly to Unterbuchner’s comments, stating after defeating the German, “He didn’t make a joke. He is one of those individuals who attempt to be humorous. He has never defeated me and never will. He lacks the skill level – even my lower-tier performances are enough to surpass him, but it’s inconsequential. Onward to tomorrow.”
During the match, van Gerwen let his performance speak for itself, showcasing an average of 91 and executing a remarkable 102 checkout. His next opponent in the last-16 round will be compatriot Jermaine Wattimena, who triumphed over Kevin Doets in an all-Dutch encounter.
Van Gerwen expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging both his good record in the tournament and Wattimena’s skills as a player. Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, Niko Springer defeated defending champion Gary Anderson with a remarkable 6-3 victory, setting up a match against Danny Noppert from the Netherlands.
Springer, aged 25, expressed his elation after the match, highlighting the support he received from his acquaintances in attendance. Additionally, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, now including popular streaming services such as HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, and more, alongside comprehensive coverage of sports events like the Premier League and EFL matches.