Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Credit to Michael, that was more like it. He just needed to get himself fired up.

After a slow start, Michael van Gerwen was woken from his slumber.

He lets out a roar after hitting double eight for a 15-dart break of throw.

Now it's Stephen Bunting who needs to respond.

Image source, PDC/Kelly Deckers

Even the dancers are in orange for this Dutch darting date with destiny.

That's much more like it from Michael van Gerwen.

Well, it was until he got down to a finish. He misses four darts at double but with Stephen Bunting having an off leg, he gets away with it.

Eventually, he hits double 10 to hold.

Break consolidated by Stephen Bunting.

A 14-dart hold for him and he's started well.

But that is a very shoddy leg from MVG. The Dutchman has not got going at all.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

This is an arena where Michael van Gerwen has underperformed in recent years.

Stephen Bunting gives a little salute to the crowd after hitting the first 180 of the match.

The Liverpudlian is the first to a finish - against the darts - and gets double 16 at the third time of asking.

Not the start Michael van Gerwen wanted in front of his home fans.

Image source, Getty Images

Dutch superstar Michael van Gerwen prepares to take centre stage in his home event tonight - but he does so short of form.

The seven-time Premier League champion is currently outside the play-off positions on legs difference, having only progressed to a solitary nightly final across the opening 10 weeks.

He was absent two weeks ago in Berlin due to a shoulder injury, and last week in Manchester was well beaten by Nathan Aspinall in the semis.

However, no player has won more quarter-final ties than van Gerwen in this year’s competition.

"This is always the week where you want to perform and do well,"Van Gerwen told the PDC.

"Playing on home soil in front of your family and friends, you always want to produce something extra. It's really enjoyable and it gives me more energy, which I think is really important.

"I've been struggling a little bit recently, but I've been battling and picking up points here and there, and I know there is plenty more in the tank."

What a welcome for Michael van Gerwen in Rotterdam!

Can he reward the Dutch fans with a victory tonight?

Image source, PA Media

It has been a difficult year in the Premier League for Stephen Bunting.

After going winless through the first eight weeks, he broke his duck to win night nine in Berlin and may have had hopes of going on a run.

Instead, despite averaging 105.33, he found himself blown away 6-1 by a dazzling Luke Humphries display in Manchester.

His top four hopes are all but over but Michael van Gerwen are very much alive.

The Dutchman will be the star attraction in Rotterdam tonight and this could be the perfect time for him to find form.

He is yet to win a night in 2025 and has made only one final but is still fifth, level on points with Gerwyn Price in third.

With the Dutch fans roaring him on, you wouldn't bet against him finding his park and lifting the trophy at the end of the evening.

Time for quarter-final three and two players who are sure to be very popular tonight.

Michael van Gerwen back in his homeland.

And Stephen Bunting... because he seems to be popular wherever he goes.

Despite seeming to think the game was up from fairly early on, Gerwyn Price still averaged 94.19 and hit a pair of 180s.

Nathan Aspinall was at 97.02 with four 180s, his scoring meaning that his inferior percentage on the outer ring - 35.3% to Price's 50% - was not costly.

An important win for The Asp, who goes two points clear of Price in the race for a play-off place.

Great to get your messages and have you following along here - don't forget to leave your name!

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

Price's body language was a bit off in that game. He looked disinterested for huge chunks of it.

Two more match darts go begging but Nathan Aspinall gets the job done in the end.

Double eight to finish and The Asp, winner twice before in Rotterdam, is still in with a shot of making it three in a row.

He'll play Chris Dobey for a place in the final.

Both players add to the 180 count but it is Nathan Aspinall who has the first dart for the leg - and the match.

However, he misses tops for a 135 out and Gerwyn Price nips in to take out 62 and keep this match going for a while longer.

Nathan Aspinall is one leg from victory.

The Stockport man was under a bit of pressure but produces a 140 to leave 48.

He misses his first at double 16 but gets the second and Gerwyn Price has a mountain to climb now.

Gerwyn Price gets one back.

A bit like Luke Humphries in the first match, he seems to lose focus in a mist of frustration.

But he manages to pull himself out of it and hold with an 89 checkout.

Image source, EPA

What a sport darts is.

Sixteen thousand people in the Dutch venue and most seemingly cheering a lad from Stockport.

From the sublime to the ridiculous.

Nathan Aspinall won the last leg with a 170 out, he sneaks this one on double two.

Both Aspinall and Gerwyn Price miss numerous chances to win the leg but it's The Asp in control of this match.