Raymond van Barneveld rolls back the years to beat MVG on big stage

Raymond van Barneveld rolled back the years to beat Michael van Gerwen and book his place in the last 16 of the European Darts Matchplay.

The Dutchmen went head-to-head in the German city of Trier on Saturday evening with the younger of the former world champions winning nine of their 11 past meetings.

However, it would be the veteran 56-year-old reaching the next round with a 6-3 triumph – having twice reversed his retirement since his last win on the stage back in 2018.

Van Gerwen was 3-1 up in the contest before losing five legs in a row including a 138 finish – with Van Barneveld clinching victory with an 84 exit.

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Van Gerwen said of the result: "I didn't play my A-game tonight, but well done Raymond van Barneveld! Now focus on the World Matchplay.

"I'll be working hard to get better results there. Thanks for the support."

The win meant Van Gerwen couldn't add to his record of 36 PDC European Tour victories, with Raymond van Barneveld never winning on the new circuit.

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Van Barneveld went on to face Ryan Searle on Sunday morning (July 2) winning 6-5 to book his place in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Joe Cullen, Michael Smith, Dirk van Duijvenbode and James Wade secured their places in the last eight before Sunday's final which will bring £30,000 to the winner.

Van Barneveld will face Cullen in his next contest, with Smith taking on Van Duijvenbode and the other stars yet to learn of their opponents.

Van Barneveld has won a total of five world championships, with one coming on the PDC circuit back in 2007.

Having played darts since 1984, Van Barneveld retired in 2019 before returning two years later with a new found hunger for the sport.

He said at the time: "I think the decision [to retire] was the right one, but I have now had a lot of time to think about it. Then I realised I miss it terribly."

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