VAN GERWEN CALLS NIJMAN A CHOKER AFTER SURVIVING EURO SCARE

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN branded Wessel Nijman a “choker” after surviving a huge scare at the European Championship. 

World No.3 Van Gerwen edged past his fellow Dutchman 6–5 in a tense first-round thriller, surviving SEVEN match darts from his 23-year-old rival to keep his title hopes alive. 

The three-time world champion looked on the brink of a shock exit after falling 4–2 behind but dug deep to claw his way back and seal victory in a nervy decider. 

Van Gerwen admitted Nijman’s collapse came as no surprise in Dortmund and said he only had himself to blame for letting the contest get so close. 

He said: “Not relieved, no. I just made it very difficult for myself. 

“I missed three darts to win 6–4, then made it exciting again. Luckily, I managed to take it in the last leg. 

 “I knew this could happen. When it really matters, Wessel often fails. He’s a bit of a choker, so I just kept faith. 

 “The last leg from me was bad, but I kept believing. When you still get the chance and he’s fumbling, you have to take it. 

“The first ten legs were played at a really high level — everything was under 15 darts. Not many players can do that. It’s just a shame it got so messy after that.” 

World No.37 Nijman has yet to reach a televised quarter-final in TWELVE attempts, despite a superb season on the ProTour which saw him win Players Championship 30 and reach two European Tour semi-finals. 

And while Van Gerwen was ruthless in his post-match assessment, he also had words of encouragement for his younger compatriot — urging Nijman to replicate his floor form on the big stage. 

He added: “Wessel’s been doing fantastic lately. I have a lot of respect for what he’s showing. 

 “But now he needs to do it on stage too, and that’s where he still struggles. A shame for him — but good for me.” 

Van Gerwen also gave his backing to the PDC’s plans to stage the Saudi Arabian Masters as part of next year’s World Series, welcoming the sport’s growing global reach. 

He continued: “I don’t know. If they want to bring in the money like they do with other sports, keep it going. 

 “Wherever the tournament is America, Saudi Arabia, Japan — I don’t care.  

“If the PDC tells me there’s a tournament there and we have the right to play, no problem. I’ll be on the flight. Simple as that.”