MICHAEL VAN GERWEN overcame a huge scare against Simon Whitlock as he began his Unibet European Championship title defence with a narrow 6-5 win on Friday, but World Champion Gary Anderson was whitewashed by James Wade at the Ethias Arena.

THE Unibet European Championship begins on Friday as Michael van Gerwen opens his bid to complete a treble of wins in the event against in-form 2012 champion Simon Whitlock at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt, Belgium.

Rob Mullarkey reviews the "House of Flying Arrows" documentary, which available on Digital Download now and on DVD from Monday November 14.

TICKETS for the 2017 Unibet Masters are now available ahead of next year's top-16 event at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.

BORIS KOLTSOV and Gilbert Ulang have secured their places in the William Hill World Darts Championship through the EADC and Philippines Qualifiers.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is the Evens favourite to win a third successive title at the Unibet European Championship going into this weekend's tournament in Hasselt, Belgium.

JOHN MICHAEL will make his third consecutive appearance at the William Hill World Darts Championship after beating Javier Toquero in the final of the Southern Europe Qualifier in Avila, Spain.

BRENDAN DOLAN enjoyed double success as he booked his place at the SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts and the Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals as the qualifiers came to a close on Sunday October 23 at the Barnsley Metrodome.

KIM HUYBRECHTS heads the field of global invitations for the Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals, with emerging stars Benito van de Pas, Max Hopp and Josh Payne amongst a further eight players confirmed for the Glasgow event next month.

THE 2016 PDC ProTour season concludes this weekend with the final two Players Championship events in Barnsley.