European Championship darts: Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith win openers in Dortmund

Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith raced through their opening matches at the European Championship in Dortmund on Thursday.

Four-time former winner Van Gerwen defeated Gabriel Clemens 6-1, while England’s Smith, the world number two, dominated Dave Chisnall 6-0.

Daryl Gurney beat 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price 6-3, while Gary Anderson enjoyed the same result in his match against Stephen Bunting.

Dirk van Duijvenbode, Ryan Searle, Luke Woodhouse and Ritchie Edhouse were the other players to advance to the second round from the opening night.

Dutchman Van Gerwen will play Scotland’s Anderson in the second round on Saturday, with Smith up against fellow Englishman Edhouse, who defeated Gian van Veen.

On Friday, defending champion Peter Wright faces Jermaine Wattimena before Luke Littler is in action against Andrew Gilding, and world champion Luke Humphries plays Nathan Aspinall.

The winner of the tournament, which features the top 32 ranked European players, will receive £120,000 of the £600,000 prize fund.