Cross wary of being punished!

ROB CROSS admits he will have to avoid being “punished” by James Wade to retain his European Championship title. 

The 2018 World Champ has been given the tough draw ahead of the event in tournament which starts tonight (Thursday).

Cross has had an inconsistent couple of years but has won the Euros twice of the past three years. 

He admits: “I think that if I can perform to my ability then I’ve got a good chance – but there’s so much quality in the field that you can’t look too far ahead. 

“My first round game is against James Wade, and he’s the World No.5, so I can’t afford to look beyond that yet, I’ll just prepare for that game, hopefully get the win and then prepare for the second round.

“We’re probably about even over the years and he’s someone I enjoy playing because you know what you’ll be up against. 

“He’s a great finisher and will punish you if you miss so I’ll have to be sharp. James has been at the top for so long and we’ve played plenty of times since I came through so we know each other pretty well.”

World No.1 Peter Wright takes on Ryan Meikle but Cross knows there are many players on form.

He added: “Michael van Gerwen’s been playing some great darts and he’s won the Premier League, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix so you’d have to say he’s the favourite.

“But Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright have been brilliant at times. They’re all in the other half of the draw – but then in my half there’s Luke Humphries, who’s won four European Tour events.

“The UK Open champion Danny Noppert and people like Nathan Aspinall and Michael Smith who’ve been in TV finals this year are also dangerous.”

Words: Phil Lanning.

Images: Taylor Lanning.