In a triumphant display of skill and perseverance, Peter Wright ended his two-year wait for a televised ranking title at last year’s European Championship, outclassing James Wade with an 11-6 victory to secure the £120,000 top prize.
As the defending champion, Wright is set to start his campaign against Jermaine Wattimena on Friday evening, with his eyes set on joining the elite list of players who have won the prestigious title on more than two occasions, a club currently populated by legends Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
Reflecting on his past successes at the tournament, Wright humbly acknowledged, “I’ve been lucky enough to win this tournament twice; I’ve made a few semi-finals too, so it’s been really good to me. The crowds are always great here. I don’t know why they’ve taken to me, but I really appreciate the fans and the support, so keep on doing it guys! It would be nice to join that club with Phil and Michael this weekend, but I’m not one of the players in top form.”
Despite a shaky start to 2024 that saw him slide out of the world’s top ten, Wright has been making a notable comeback in recent months. His performance at the German Darts Championship last month was nothing short of heroic, as he overcame the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler on his path to victory.
In a stunning quarter-final match against Van Gerwen, Wright displayed exceptional form with an average of 108, before going on to triumph in a thrilling final against Littler, who boasted a 106 average. Wright’s resilience shone through as he powered through six consecutive legs to clinch the title.
“The players I beat to win that title are the guys in form,” emphasized Wright, one of the four former champions remaining in this year’s European Championship. “There are guys out there playing some fantastic darts at the moment, and I’m well behind them, so I’m definitely not a favourite for the tournament.”
With his sights set on defending his title and potentially making history by claiming a third European Championship crown, Peter Wright is poised to showcase his undeniable talent and determination on the oche once more.
