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Kim Huybrechts took a marathon six-hour round trip in his stride after a surprise late call-up to the European Championship.
The Belgian was at home in Antwerp when he received a phone call on Thursday morning telling him he had received a place in the tournament following Luke Humphries’ withdrawal due to illness.
He set off for a three-hour drive to Dortmund in the afternoon but showed no signs of fatigue as he produced a sublime performance to beat Ryan Searle 6-1.
Huybrechts threw six 180s and averaged 103.81 before making the return journey home into the early hours of Friday morning.
“I got a phone call this morning, 9.30am, I think,” he said. “I was like dancing around the house just before I picked up. So happy days.
“I set off at 2pm, three-hour drive. Had something for food, and actually, it was a good practice.
“It was like calm, relaxed, no pressure. I’m going to drive home now, three hours back. We haven’t got a hotel because Friday’s free.
“I’ll decide on Friday what to do to. I haven’t decided yet.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever done that. Normally, the day before I come to the venue, so it’s the first time I’ve done three hours for a tournament. Maybe it’s a good thing and I’ll do it the next couple of times.”
Luke Woodhouse threw a nine-dart finish as he kicked off the tournament in style.
Woodhouse threw perfectly in the fourth leg of his first-round clash with Dirk van Duijvenbode as he pinned successive 180s and then took 141 to claim a maiden nine-darter on television on his way to a 6-3 victory.
“It’s my first one on a big stage,” he said. “It felt really comfortable doing it, and after the treble 19 I felt like it was going to be the double 12.
“Everyone wants hit a nine-darter on the main stage, I know it’s a bit of a cliche, but everyone wants to win.
“I always thought if I hit a nine-darter I would feel a massive rush of adrenaline, but I just kept myself nice and composed and move on.
“It’s lovely to do it on TV. It’s boring but the win is more important for me.”
Stephen Bunting also produced a moment of magic to claim victory in a final-leg decider against Danny Noppert.
Bunting was heading for an early departure, but he came up with a clutch 160 checkout to sneak a 6-5 success.
Damon Heta survived two match darts against James Wade to win another last-leg decider 6-5 while there were wins for Gerwyn Price, who beat Rob Cross 6-2, Cameron Menzies and Ross Smith.
Gian van Veen became the first defending champion to win his opening round match since 2018 when he beat Andrew Gilding 6-4.
Humphries’ withdrawal could boost Luke Littler’s attempt to complete the set of major tournament wins.
The teenager is only missing the European Championship crown after a prolific two years on tour.
Littler will face a hostile German crowd when he opens against William O’Connor on Friday night.
