his growing patience a key element of his success.

Michael van Gerwen faces a blockbuster of an opening clash against in-form Simon Whitlock as he bids to win a hat-trick of titles at the European Championship in Belgium. The £400,000 tournament sees the top 32 players following the years ten PDC European Tour events competing across three days, starting on Friday.Van Gerwen produced a memorable comeback to claim last years title against Gary Anderson, taking four successive legs to snatch an 11-10 win in the final. The pair are among a 32-player field at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt this weekend, with the reigning champion coming up against 2012 champion Whitlock. Van Gerwen: World Grand Prix champion (Picture courtesy of Lawrence Lustig) Van Gerwen won six of the years ten European Tour events to secure the top seeding coming into the European Championship, where he is aiming to win a major title for three successive years for the first time.Im doing new things all the time and to win a big title like this three times in a row would be another personal record, said the 27-year-old Dutchman. Euro Darts Championship draw European Darts Championship first-round draw Whitlock has won two Players Championship titles this month and is in confident mood as he prepares for Fridays first round, and admitted: There are no easy draws but getting Michael in the first round has to be the hardest.I think he will be looking at it the same way as me because he knows how well Ive been playing recently too.Im going into it full of confidence with a couple of titles and a win against Michael under my belt this month and there is no reason why I cant win that match. Alan Chuck Norris is seventh place in the seedings Another player in buoyant mood travelling to Hasselt is Alan Norris, whose victory in the years final European Tour event, in Germany a fortnight ago, secured him his second PDC title and seventh place in the seedings.Despite drawing the legendary Phil Taylor - a four-time European Championship winner and second favourite - in the first round, the Boness-based thrower said: Im full of confidence.Ive got myself up the rankings and done enough to get seeded, but obviously Phils as tough a draw as you can get, but Ive got to look at him as just another player. Gary Anderson faces James Wade is a high-profile meeting The first round will also feature the high-profile meeting between world champion Anderson and James Wade, who won a European Tour event in Hamburg in May as he secured the fourth seeding.Austrias Mensur Suljovic, who claimed his first ranking title by winning a European Tour event in Germany last month, is seeded second as he opens against Hollands Jermaine Wattimena. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Peter Wright, the number three seed who reached a trio of European Tour finals this year, plays Justin Pipe, while Belgiums Kim Huybrechts plays James Wilson and Dave Chisnall - a back-to-back European Tour runner-up in May - takes on Australias Kyle Anderson.Hollands Jelle Klaasen, who lost narrowly to Norris in the years final European Tour event, completes the eight seeds and faces in-form Steve West, who is making his European Championship debut. Legends of Darts October 28, 2016, 10:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Legends of Darts October 28, 2016, 10:45am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass You can watch Premier League football, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the Mexican Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! Also See: Euro Darts Championship draw Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Get Sky Sports Larry Allen Cowboys Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Jay Novacek Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. 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James Innes is putting in his bid for Sydneys apprentices premiership with the in-form hoop rocketing to the top of the tree.Innes went to the equal lead with a double at Rosehill on Saturday and has nine metropolitan wins, along with Deanne Panya.The 21-year-old got Girl Sunday home for his master Gerald Ryan and the Chris Waller-trained Hogmanay, making it back-to-back wins on both horses.Its easy when youre riding winners, you just build up that confidence, Innes said.It makes the rest of the day easier when you get that first win out of the way.Ryans son and foreman Blake said Innes had made a significant improvement in the past six months, with his growing patience a key element of his success.He was wanting to get things done yesterday, Blake Ryan said.The best thing about him is if he does do something wrong hell cop a pay for it and learn from it.He rides really good work, his attitudes great and its happening for him raceday so I couldnt be happier for him.ddddddddddddhile he has previously had his issues with overuse of the whip, the two-kilogram claiming riders strong form has coincided with less frequent trips to the stewards room.Innes joined Ryans stable earlier in the year and has struck up a successful collaboration with Girl Sunday.Hes doing the right thing by the mare and the mare is doing the right thing by all of us so its really satisfying, Blake Ryan said.Its going great.Waller also had praise for Innes, scoring his two winning rides 10 out of 10.You dont end up in that perfect position by fluke and then expect the horse to run for you, it doesnt work like that, Waller said.Hes got them travelling.Innes said he had had five or six rides for Sydneys premier stable for three winners. 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