Giants continue to fall like flies in darts European Championship

There will be brand new European Championship finalists this year, with past winners Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and now Phil Taylor all eliminated before the quarters.

Coral previews the last day of the tournament, which features the last eight, followed by the semis and then final showdown.

Of the eight players left, just three seeds remain and all in the same half, as Michael van Gerwen (one) faces Dave Chisnall (eight), and Peter Wright (four) takes on a resurgent Raymond van Barneveld.

Stephen Bunting, who comprehensively beat Andy Hamilton in the first round before edging Taylor in a 10-9 encounter of the highest quality where both averaged over 102, is the new second-favourite at 7/2.

The Bullet next faces Terry Jenkins (12/1), who has also done a bit of giant killing by knocking out top Scottish duo Gary Anderson and Robert Thornton. Bunting and Jenkins have two wins apiece from their four meetings.

They have by far the easiest half of the draw, though, with fellow unseeded players Jelle Klaasen (14/1) and Mervyn King (12/1), who also have a tight head-to-head record (9-10 respectively) in the other quarter-final.

Van Gerwen (10/11 favourite) can certainly count himself lucky to get to this stage, after falling behind against Brendan Dolan, who missed crucial doubles, in the second round.

But the Dutchman can equal his best run at the European Championship by beating Chisnall (14/1) next up. Mighty Mike enjoys playing Chizzy, having won each of their last four encounters.

The winner of that tasty encounter will take on one of titans Van Barneveld (9/1) and Wright (11/1) for a place in the final. Barney, who eliminated 2012 champion Whitlock and then compatriot Vincent van der Voort, should be able to see off Snakebite as well, having lost just one of their nine meetings.

You can watch all the action live on ITV4 on Sunday October 25th, with King and Klaasen’s quarter-final up first from 1.45 pm.