VAN GERWEN BLASTS UNTERBUCHNER WITH BRUTAL PUTDOWN
18/04/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN insisted rival Michael Unterbuchner is “not good enough” after brushing him aside at the European Darts Grand Prix.
The Dutch superstar stormed into round three with a dominant 6-2 win, averaging 91 and firing a superb 102 checkout.
Unterbuchner had raised eyebrows the day before when asked about playing the three-time world champ, replying: “Against who?”
Mighty Mike didn’t forget and after backing it up on the oche, he tore into the German with a brutal putdown.
He said: “He didn’t make a joke. He is one of them guys that try to be funny. He has never beaten me in his life.
“He’s not good enough — even my B and C game beats him, but who cares? On to tomorrow.
“But he doesn’t know who I am, so who am I? The day I am going to worry myself about Unterbuchner, that’s the day I am going to quit playing darts.
“I had a couple of good legs, but also the one leg with a double one was a disaster. Who cares? I won the leg and that is the most important thing.
“The crowd is enjoying themselves — that is the only thing that matters. It’s been a long time since I won here, so hopefully I can give it a good go tomorrow.”
Van Gerwen is a two-time winner of the European Tour event, having lifted the title in 2016 and 2018.
The world No.4 continues his quest for a third crown when he takes on fellow compatriot Jermaine Wattimena on Sunday afternoon for a place in the quarter-finals.
He added: “Of course I have a good record. I’ve known Jermaine for a long time, since we were youth players.
“To be honest, I have always had the better over him, but he is a good player. What he is doing at the moment, he is playing and showing good darts.
“So, I need to make sure I play well tomorrow.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
