Новости Unicorn

26 November, 2007

Phil Taylor has been handed the toughest possible start in his bid to claim a 14th World title, after been paired to face Dutch star Michael Van Gerwen in the First Round at the Alexandra Palace next month.

The match will be played on Tuesday December 18 and is sure to draw a packed house at the Ally Pally.

Fresh from his triumph at the Grand Slam, Taylor admitted he couldn’t have been handed a harder draw. “ It really is a tough one but to win the World Championship, you have to beat the best. Michael is a great player and it will be a terrific match,” he said.

Van Gerwen of course, has struggled since his switch to the PDC ranks earlier this year but he is at his best on the big stage and will relish the chance to take on Taylor.

There were mixed fortunes for Team Unicorn in the draw, made by Sid Waddell and PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

The 1st Round will see a couple of all-Unicorn clashes….Kevin Painter will take on US No.1 Gary Mawson, while Terry Jenkins plays youngster Kirk Shepherd, who has qualified for his first ever World Championship.

There will be an all-Irish battle between Mick McGowan and qualifier Jason Barry, while Andy Hamilton will be much fancied after his exploits at the Grand Slam….and he plays Dutchman Leroy Kwadijk.

Peter Manley, who is desperate for a big tournament, also faces a Dutch youngster in Toon Greebe, James Wade must play Australian Steve MacArthur, while Bob Anderson – appearing in his 25th consecutive World Championship – faces Jason Clark.

Unicorn’s American star Ray Carver has been handed a tough opener against Wayne Mardle…Wes Newton plays qualifier Jamie Caven and Adrian Lewis takes on ‘Diamond’ Dave Askew.

Colin Osborne will be happy with his draw against either Alan Bolton – the New Zealand Champion - or Dutchman Erwin Extercatte, while Barrie Bates has drawn Canadian No.1 Gerry Convery.

Unicorn’s two-times former World Champion John Part will take on South African Charles Losper.

Defending World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld has been handed a much easier first round clash than his great rival Taylor…..Barney faces either Anthony Forde of Barbados or Akihiro Nakagawa from Japan.

Ladbrokes.com World Championship draw:

Vincent van der Voort v Jelle Klaasen
Raymond Van Barneveld v Akihiro Nakagawa (Japan) or Anthony Forde (Barbados)
Kevin Painter v Gary Mawson
Mick McGowan v Jason Barry
Andy Smith v German qualifier No.1
Wayne Mardle v Ray Carver
Wayne Jones v Tony Eccles
Phil Taylor v Michael Van Gerwen
Andy Hamilton v Leroy Kwadijk
Alan Tabern v Per Laursen (Denmark)
Peter Manley v Toon Greebe
Roland Scholten v Matt Clark
James Wade v Steve MacArthur
Terry Jenkins v Kirk Shepherd
Bob Anderson v Jason Clark
Dennis Priestley v Steve Maish
Colin Lloyd v Jan van der Rassel (Holland)
Steve Beaton v Steve Evans
Ronnie Baxter v Dan Olson (Canada)
Chris Mason v Steve Brown
Alex Roy v Warren Parry (New Zealand)
Adrian Gray v Mark Walsh
Andy Jenkins v Rizal Barellano (Philippines) or Miloslav Navratil (Cz Republic)
Denis Ovens v Colin Monk
Mark Dudbridge v Steve Hine
Wes Newton v Jamie Caven
Adrian Lewis v Dave Askew
Colin Osborne v Alan Bolton (New Zealand) or Erwin Extercatte (Holland)
Barrie Bates v Gerry Convery
Mervyn King v German qualifier No.2
John Part v Charles Losper
Alan Warriner v Ashfaque Sayed (India) or Shi Yongsheng (China)

It all starts on December 17, live on Sky Sports and everyone will want to be there to see Taylor and Van Gerwen go head-to-head in the 1st Round on the following night!

BY STUART PYKE