Underdog almost beat Michael van Gerwen with wrong darts after luggage mishap

Daily Star
 
Underdog almost beat Michael van Gerwen with wrong darts after luggage mishap

Going head-to-head with one of the greatest darts players in the history of the game is hard enough as it is - so you'd be best advised to come prepared.

But Canadian Matt Campbell was anything but when he had to take on Michael van Gerwen at the European Tour 3 event in Germany at the weekend. Although, in his defence, it wasn't entirely his fault.

Campbell touched down in Germany along with his manager - the only problem was his suitcase did not. It meant he had to take part in the tournament in Riesa minus his darts, a situation less than ideal when you're in line for the second round match with a three-time world champion.

'The Ninja' got on with the job though, using the darts carried by his advisor and beating Keegan Brown 6-4. And remarkably, he then came agonisingly close to toppling Van Gerwen, going down 6-5 after missing two match darts.

The world No 62 then took to to laud his efforts, telling fans: "Considering I had no darts equipment and no darts apparel hence the plain black polo, due to my suitcase being left in Toronto by the airline but extremely proud and pleased with myself how I performed.

"Was a tough game with Keegan Brown as he let me off the hook but I took my chances when they arrived and then narrowly losing out to MVG missing two match darts - that’s darts for you. Nice week ahead travelling around Germany before heading to Munich on Friday."

Van Gerwen capitalised on his good fortune by going on to make the final. Along the way, he whitewashed long time rival Peter Wright, leading pundit Wayne Mardle to describe the Scotsman as being at his 'lowest ebb' ever.

But the Dutch star then missed out on the silverware as he came up short against Gerwyn Price. He was beaten 8-4 by the Welshman, less than a week after he was knocked out of the European Tour 2 event by the same player.

Indeed, 'MVG' has been struggling to find his best form of late. In last week's Premier League meeting in Berlin, he produced what fans dubbed a 'horror show' as he was hammered by another Welsh player in Jonny Clayton.