Taylor Takes Title

Phil Taylor claimed his fourth successive PartyPoker.net European Championship title with a brilliant 11-8 victory over Adrian Lewis, who hit a superb nine-darter in the semi-finals.

50-year-old Taylor, fresh from his World Matchplay success in Blackpool, was clinical in his semi-final win over Simon Whitlock, but took his game up a further notch against his Stoke rival Lewis in the final in Dusseldorf.
'The Power' averaged 109.29, hit six 180s and checked out a wonderful 164 outshot on the Bull to defeat the reigning world champion and pocket the £50,000 first prize.
The European Championship has now been in existence for four years and Taylor has won every one of them to prove that despite his advancing years he is still very much the man to beat in world darts.
'Jackpot' Lewis started the final on fire with a 121 finish on the Bull to take darts off Taylor straight away, but the 15-time world champion then started to dominate and was well ahead in the averages throughout.

Outshot

It was still neck-and-neck until Taylor produced a crushing 164 outshot to take the vital break of throw just at the vital moment as it enabled him to 10-8 ahead and just a leg from the title.
To his credit Lewis hit back with successive 140s applying some pressure to the Taylor throw, but when he failed to take out 98 Taylor stepped up to eventually hit double ten and secure his fourth European Championship.
Lewis had earlier stuck in a brilliant nine-darter but still came close to losing to Raymond van Barneveld in a thrilling semi-final clash in Germany.
Jackpot hit his nine-darter with nonchalant ease to move him into a 10-7 lead in the best-of-21 leg semi, and just one away from a place in the final.
However, missed match darts enabled Dutchman van Barneveld to get all the way back to 11-11 and ensure a last-leg decider.
Barney forged well ahead and looked favourite to complete the turnaround but for Lewis to take out a magnificent 121 outshot on the Bull to make the final.
The Power was waiting for him in the final after completing a much simpler assignment as he saw off a lacklustre Simon Whitlock 11-4