Announcements

THERE will be an all-St Helens clash in the opening round of the Unibet European Championship which starts tomorrow, Friday.

Former Premier League aces Michael Smith and Stephen Bunting clash in the ITV4-televised event, which comprises 32 players competing across three days at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt, Belgium.

Another St Helener, sixth seed Dave Chisnall, faces Aussie Kyle Anderson.

Smith and Bunting go head-to-head in the penultimate game of the afternoon session, while Chisnall toes the oche later in an evening line-up’s third match.

Should he progress, then Jamie Caven or James Richardson await in the last 16 on Saturday.

Meanwhile the victor of Smith’s meeting with Bunting will have Jelle Klaasen or Steve West blocking their path to the quarter finals on Sunday.

Top seed Michael van Gerwen defends a title which he has won for the past two years.

The Dutchman’s rivals are comprised of the top 32 in the 2016 European Tour Order of Merit, based on prize money won in at 10 events this year.

Schedule:

Friday, First Round:

(Afternoon session, 12.45pm-5pm UK time): Jamie Caven v James Richardson, Daryl Gurney v Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey v Joe Cullen, Ian White v Terry Jenkins, Cristo Reyes v Robert Thornton, Mervyn King v Devon Petersen, Michael Smith v Stephen Bunting, Max Hopp v Benito van de Pas.

(Evening session, 7pm-11pm UK time) (seeding in brackets): Jelle Klaasen (8) v Steve West, Kim Huybrechts (5) v James Wilson, Dave Chisnall (6) v Kyle Anderson, Mensur Suljovic (2) v Jermaine Wattimena, Peter Wright (3) v Justin Pipe, Alan Norris (7) v Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen (1) v Simon Whitlock, James Wade (4) v Gary Anderson.