Topic IDL Draw

THE draw has been made for the 2007 Topic International Darts League has been made.

The tournament begins with a Preliminary Round next Friday, 4 May, with each of the four-man groups competing in a round-robin format over best-of-nine-leg games.

The eight group winners will then move into the First Round, which also has eight groups of four.

Defending IDL Champion Raymond van Barneveld will face Yorkshire duo Martin Atkins and Scott Waites in the First Round, along with the winner of Group Four in the Preliminary Round - which features Chris Mason and Vincent van der Voort.

Phil Taylor is grouped with Holland's Niels de Ruiter, Wales' Mark Webster and one player from Ronnie Baxter, Richie Burnett, Paul Hogan or Ron Meulenkamp.

Colin Lloyd, the runner-up in last year's IDL, will meet Co Stompe and Tony O'Shea, as well as the winner of the Preliminary Round group involving Andy Jenkins and Mark Dudbridge.

Kevin Painter and Alan Tabern have been drawn in a tough Preliminary Round group, along with Gary Robson and Holland's Edwin Max.

The top two players from each of the First Round groups will progress to the Second Round, which features four groups of four players.

Preliminary Round Groups
Group One: Albertino Essers, Steve Farmer, Mervyn King, Matt Clark
Group Two: Gary Robson, Edwin Max, Kevin Painter, Alan Tabern
Group Three: Brian Sorensen, Steve West, Michael van Gerwen, Kevin McDine
Group Four: Ross Montgomery, Dirk Hespeels, Vincent van der Voort, Chris Mason
Group Five: Shane Tichowitsch, Wayne Jones, Barrie Bates, Phill Nixon
Group Six: Goran Klemme, Andy Jenkins, Andy Murray, Mark Dudbridge
Group Seven: Robert Hughes, Mark Barilli, Jelle Klaasen, Robbie Green
Group Eight: Ron Meulenkamp, Paul Hogan, Ronnie Baxter, Richie Burnett

First Round Groups
Group A: Gary Anderson, Roland Scholten, Wayne Mardle, Group One Winner
Group B: Peter Manley, Simon Whitlock, John Part, Group Two Winner
Group C: Tony Eccles, Terry Jenkins, Andy Hamilton, Group Three Winner
Group D: Raymond van Barneveld, Martin Atkins, Scott Waites, Group Four Winner
Group E: Martin Adams, Adrian Lewis, Mario Robbe, Group Five Winner
Group F: Colin Lloyd, Co Stompe, Tony O'Shea, Group Six Winner
Group G: Darryl Fitton, Dennis Priestley, James Wade, Group Seven Winner
Group H: Phil Taylor, Neils de Ruiter, Mark Webster, Group Eight Winner