Defending champion Rob Cross was eliminated in the first round of the European Darts Championship in Dortmund.
The Englishman, nicknamed “Voltage”, lost his first match against compatriot James Wade in the Westfalenhalle by a narrow margin of 5:6.
The former world champion Cross weakened especially on the double fields. He made it from 3:5 to 5:5, but missed match darts in the decisive eleventh leg. Then Wade prevailed after all.
The three big favorites Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands), Gerwyn Price (Wales) and Peter Wright (Scotland) only start the tournament on Friday evening (7 p.m. / Sport1 and DAZN). Then the Germans Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler are also challenged for the first time.