The Power wins another major title
Phil Taylor won the PartyPoker.net European Darts Championship for a third successive year after beating Wayne Jones 11-1 in Dinslaken, Germany, last night.
Taylor collected yet another PDC major title and a cheque for £50,000, only a week after winning his 11th World Matchplay title in Blackpool. Taylor is the only winner of the European Championship since its formation back in 2008.
Jones continued his good form from Blackpool, where he reached the quarter-finals, by beating Robert Thornton, Raymond van Barneveld and Colin Lloyd in Germany, but last night he was unable to beat the Power.
Jones had the opportunity to take the first leg, but Taylor took advantage of the miss on double top by breaking the throw, posting double eight. Taylor then surged into a 5-0 lead at the break with finishes of double seven, double four, double three and double seven.
Jones missed double 12 as the Power took a 7-0 lead, but a rare miss from Taylor on double top allowed Jones to take his first leg, checking out 116 on double 18. Taylor, however, replied with a 12-darter by taking out 81 and then taking out 121 to lead 9-1.
Taylor, the 15-time world champion, took out 84 for an 11-dart leg, and clinched the win on double 14.
“I'm delighted to win another title, especially so soon after winning the World Matchplay last week. While the World Matchplay is one game a day, this is one of the hardest tournaments to win because you've got tough short matches early on and three games in one day to win it. You have to be mentally and physically fit as well as playing well and I loved every minute of it,” said Taylor.
Jones picked up the £20,000 runners-up prize, and qualifies for the Grand Slam of Darts in November in his home town of Wolverhampton.
“To lose the final by such a big margin is obviously disappointing for me but it's a very memorable weekend,” he said.
“Phil was superb and there wasn't a lot I could do about him. But to beat some of the world's top ten this weekend has been fantastic, I'm playing well and finally enjoying being on the big stage. That's a massive boost on top of reaching the final. I love playing in front of my home fans and can't wait to do it again later this year,” added Jones.
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