Author: Peter Fryers (Peter Fryers)

Michael van Gerwen is the new World Grand Prix champion after beating Peter Wright in the final at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin on Saturday.

The world number one was too much for Snakebite and stamped his superiority on the PDC’s unique double-start major, an event he has won five times in the past seven years. This was also his 17th tournament success of the season thus far, which includes victories during the Darts Premier League and Darts Masters.

Incredibly, Mighty Mike dropped just two sets on the way to the final, where he lost only two more to Wright in a 5-2 victory. In the final, MVG banked his lowest average of the week — 88.45 — compared to world number two Peter Wright’s 91.61. MVG also scored two crucial ton-plus finishes and landed seven 180s during the match, while his opponent hit six maximums and duel checkout highs of 101.

With the match level at 2-2, the popular Peter Wright — who was appearing in his first Dublin final — looked to be the player in control of the fifth leg. It didn’t last long as he squandered his opportunity, something that you simply cannot do when van Gerwen is your opponent. With that, the Dutchman took his chance and won the pivotal leg with a stunning 101 checkout. He followed this up by winning the following two sets to claim yet another trophy.

On route to the final, Mighty Mike had seen off Steve Lennon, Darren Webster, Dave Chisnall and last year’s winner, Daryl Gurney, 4-1 in the semi-finals. It was Gurney who knocked out the in-form Gary Anderson 3-0. On the other hand, MVG’s opponent Peter Wright successfully navigated tricky ties against Mensur Suljovic in the semi-finals as well as Jermaine Wattimena, James Wilson and Steve West. Surpisingly, the world champion Rob Cross flew out at the first handle when he lost 2-0 to Steve Beaton.

European Darts Trophy betting tips

After all the spent efforts of the World Grand Prix, the game’s leading names return to the European Tour on Friday when the thirteenth event of the series gets underway at the Lokhalle Arena in Gottingen, Germany.

This is only the second staging of the European Darts Trophy and it won’t surprise anyone to learn that Michael van Gerwen was the victor. He will be back to defend the trophy he won a year ago when he beat Rob Cross 6-4 in the final. Others will be looking to follow Cross’ lead by using these autumn events to build up some momentum for the World Championships in December.

One player not following his example, however, is Gary Anderson, who has decided to sit this event out due to a hectic winter schedule. Given that he looks like the only player on the circuit capable of giving MVG a scare, you can see why Betway have Mighty Mike down as the red-hot favourite at 8/11.

In total, a field of 48 will be heading to Gottingen including last weekend’s beaten finalist Peter Wright. On form, as last week showed he might be, he can be a factor here, which is represented in the betting lines — second at a handsome 6/1. Rob Cross, who is having a horrible year, is fancied at 9’s and will be desperately hoping to repeat his late-in-the-year form from last year especially given that the Ally Pally is creeping into sight. Another player I keep saying to look out for is Mensur Suljovic. The Australian is hitting some great darts right now and usually enjoys the European games. Betway have priced The Gentle at 12/1.

Finally, it’s worth noting some prices on the outsiders, especially given that Gerwyn Price, Simon Whitlock, Ricky Evans and Mark Wilson have all made European Tour finals this season. Daryl Gurney’s recent upswing in form sees him priced at 33/1, while Gerwyn ‘Superchin’ Price (66/1) Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith (20/1), Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis (28/1), and Simon ‘The Wizard’ Whitlock (66/1) are all capable of winning these Euro Tour events.