ITV4 to televise darts Partypoker.net European Championship
24th June 2011
ITV4 to televise darts Partypoker.net European Championship.
The £200,000 tournament will be played from July 28-31 at the Maritim Hotel in Dusseldorf, Germany, when 32 players will compete for the £50,000 title.
The European Championship has been won in each of the past three years since its inception in 2008 by world number one Phil Taylor, who has defeated Adrian Lewis, Steve Beaton and Wayne Jones in the respective finals.
Taylor will be amongst this year's qualifiers, with the world's top 16 following the forthcoming World Matchplay joined by the top eight Players Championship Order of Merit qualifiers and the top eight European Order of Merit qualifiers.
The broadcasts on ITV4 will see the broadcaster continue their coverage of PDC darts tournaments, having also previously screened the Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals, as well as the 2008 European Championship.
"We're delighted to continue our association with ITV4 for the PartyPoker.net European Championship," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"This tournament has gained in popularity in each of the past three years, with the mix of the world's top professionals and form qualifiers from Europe and the UK making it a vibrant tournament."
The PartyPoker.net European Championship will add to ITV4's existing sports coverage, which includes Aviva Premiership Rugby, Heineken Cup Rugby, Indian Premier League Cricket, Tour de France and the UEFA Europa League.
Niall Sloane, ITV Controller of Sport, said: "We're delighted to be broadcasting free to air coverage of the European Championship to our viewers."
The tournament is already set to be a huge success in Germany, where tickets have already sold out for five of the six sessions and coverage will be screened live on Sport1.
Dutch broadcaster RTL7 and Australia's Fox Sports will also screen the event live in July.
Tickets for the opening night on Thursday July 28, which will feature number one seed and reigning champion Phil Taylor, are still available through www.pdc-europe.net. All other sessions are sold out.
PartyPoker.net European Championship Schedule of Play:
Thursday July 28 7pm-11pm UK (8pm-12am local) 8x Round One matches
Friday July 29 7pm-11pm UK (8pm-12am local) 8x Round One matches
Saturday July 30 1pm-5pm UK (2pm-6pm local) 4x Round Two matches
Saturday July 30 7pm-11pm UK (8pm-12am local) 4x Round Two matches
Sunday July 31 1pm-5pm UK (2pm-6pm local) Quarter-Finals
Sunday July 31 7pm-11pm UK (8pm-12am local) Semi-Finals & Final