Michael van Gerwen criticized Michael Unterbuchner as ‘inadequate’ following a commanding 6-2 victory at the European Darts Grand Prix. The Dutch player breezed into the round-of-16 after defeating Unterbuchner, who had joked about facing Van Gerwen the day before.
Having surprised William O’Connor in the previous round, Unterbuchner humorously remarked, “Michael van Gerwen? Who’s that? No, no, just kidding. I’m looking forward to it.”
Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, did not take kindly to Unterbuchner’s comments and stated after the match, “He didn’t make a joke. He is one of those guys who try to be funny. He’s never beaten me and never will. He’s not up to the task – even my lower-level games can defeat him, but it doesn’t matter. Onwards to tomorrow.
“But he doesn’t recognize me, so who am I? The day I start worrying about Unterbuchner is the day I stop playing darts.”
Van Gerwen showcased his skills during the match, averaging 91 and executing a remarkable 102 checkout. His next opponent in the last-16 will be compatriot Jermaine Wattimena, who triumphed over Kevin Doets in an all-Dutch clash. “I had some good legs, but even the leg with a double one was a disaster,” Van Gerwen commented.
“Who cares? I won the leg, and that’s what counts. The audience is enjoying themselves – that’s all that matters. It’s been a while since I won here, so hopefully, I can give it a good shot tomorrow.”
Van Gerwen hasn’t clinched the European Tour event since his second title in 2018. “I have a good track record. I’ve known Jermaine for a long time, since our youth days,” he mentioned.
“To be honest, I’ve always had the upper hand, but he’s a good player. He’s currently displaying excellent darts, so I need to ensure I perform well tomorrow.”
In another surprising result, Niko Springer defeated defending champion Gary Anderson with a stunning 6-3 victory. Springer, 25, expressed his joy after the win, stating, “(It) feels extremely good. I have a lot of familiar faces here supporting me. Whether family or friends – it’s close to home. I appreciated the backing I received today and was genuinely thrilled.”
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