Grand Slam Monday Night PermutationsBy the end of this evening’s action, we’ll know half of the last-16 line-up – or without sounding patrionising, which exact eight players are safely through to the knockout stages.
Tonight features Groups A to D, and with the calculators out, the speculation flying, and the potential for chaos at maximum, it’s time to break down who needs what to survive.Now, before we begin – this isn’t rocket science.
There are, however, a few complex algorithms and mathematical imponderables floating around, and since I’m neither Stephen Hawking nor a clairvoyant, we’ll keep things as clear as possible.
GROUP A – (Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, Michael Smith, Alex Spellman)All four players are technically still in with a chance – though for Alex Spellman, it’s going to take one of those bizarre darting miracles we occasionally see in Wolverhampton.
Spellman faces Michael Smith first, and unless the American wins at least 5–1, he’s finished. Even then, he’ll need results elsewhere to fall perfectly.Smith himself could lose and still scrape through, but that’s a dangerous game to play.
The St Helens slinger trails Nathan Aspinall by one leg on difference, meaning if both suffer defeat, it could come down to who loses more politely.
As regards to Luke Humphries, he could technically go out – but it would require a small mathematical apocalypse. He needs at least three legs against The Asp to be safe (I think!). Anything worse than a 5–2, 5–1, or 5–0 defeat, and he’ll be sweating. That said, by the time he gets to the oche, he could already be through.
GROUP B – (Chris Dobey, Damon Heta, Jurjen van der Velde, Martin Lukeman)
Now, this one’s refreshingly simple. Chris Dobey is through – that’s the easy bit. Whether he tops the group depends on tonight’s results, but with a +8 leg difference, it’s hard to see him missing out.
The real fight is between Damon Heta and Jurjen van der Velde to join him. Their head-to-head effectively decides it.As far as Martin Lukeman is concerned, it’s a matter of pride (and possibly prize money).
He’s out, but a win over Dobey could sneak him an extra £3,000 in ranking cash if it lifts him to third. Worth showing up for.
GROUP C – (Stephen Bunting, Martin Schindler, Luke Woodhouse, Alexis Toylo)
This group hasn’t followed the script at all.
Stephen Bunting is gone – two defeats sealed his fate – and now Martin Schindler faces Alexis Toylo, both on two points with one guaranteed to jump to four. In short: it’s winner takes all for a spot in the last 16.
Toylo, the slowest man in darts since time began, has already tested the patience of audiences and opponents alike – while Schindler’s steady form could finally earn him a deserved knockout berth.
Either way, caffeine is advised. As for Luke Woodhouse, he’s already laughing his way through to the next round. He doesn’t have to face a man whose throwing rhythm resembles a buffering YouTube video.
GROUP D – (Gerwyn Price, James Wade, Ricky Evans, Stefan Bellmont)
James Wade might rather be anywhere but Wolverhampton right now, but he’s got one more job to do. Already eliminated, The Machine still has to play the already-qualified Ricky Evans – and no doubt he’ll be counting the hours until he can hit the road south.
Gerwyn Price’s task is simple: beat Bellmont, and he’s through. On the flip side, and in the Stefan Bellmont camp, it’s equally straightforward: beat Price, and you’re in.
Pull that off, and it’ll go down as the biggest win of his career – possibly even one of the biggest Swiss upsets since the Toblerone machine broke in the summer of 1994. (I totally made that up).
So there you have it – a night packed with permutations, possibilities, and potential panic. Expect drama, expect tension, and if nothing else, expect someone to go home wondering how on earth they’re not still in it.
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
