ROBERT THORNTON will face either Wes Newton or Shaun Griffiths when he begins his defence of the HappyBet European Darts Open title in Dusseldorf this weekend, as world number one Michael van Gerwen prepares to take one Jamie Caven or Christian Kist.
Scottish star Thornton won his first PDC European Tour event in last year's internet-streamed tournament at the Maritim Hotel, defeating Kim Huybrechts.
The world number eight will be one of the 16 seeded players who enter the 2015 European Darts Open at the second round stage on Saturday, where he faces either Newton - another former European Tour winner - or youngster Griffiths.
Van Gerwen, who won last weekend's BetVictor World Matchplay, will meet the winner of Friday's first round tie between fellow Dutchman Kist or former Austrian Darts Open finalist Caven - who was whitewashed by the world number one in Blackpool recently.
Van Gerwen is aiming to pick up his fourth European Tour event win of the year, while another 2016 winner, HappyBet European Darts Matchplay champion James Wade, meets either a Host Nation Qualifier or Andy Boulton.
Friday's first round will include a meeting between Australian ace Kyle Anderson and Spain's Cristo Reyes, while Daniele Petri will become the first Italian to compete on the European Tour when he plays James Richardson.
Former European Tour finalist John Henderson plays Dutchman Jan Dekker, while 2016 Dutch Darts Masters runner-up Daryl Gurney plays Robbie Green and Welshman Gerwyn Price - the winner of two Players Championships his year - meets Tony Newell.
Phil Taylor (originally seeded 13) withdrew in advance of the event. As a result, the highest ranked qualifier (Alan Norris) becomes the 16th seed, with other players moving up one place to complete the seedings and a fifth place being awarded to the Host Nation Qualifier.
The HappyBet European Darts Open will be streamed worldwide through www.LIVEPDC.TV for all subscribers.
Live coverage with faster streams is also available at the following betting websites:
www.bet365.com - Worldwide
www.betfair.com - UK, Ireland, Spain & Denmark
www.tempobet700.com - Worldwide
www.fonbet.com/en - Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia
Live Scores will be available at the new-look PDC Live Scores website, http://live.dartsdata.com .
Tournament Draw Bracket
Michael Smith (3) v James Richardson/Daniele Petri
Stephen Bunting (14) v Mark Frost/Host Nation Qualifier 2
Ian White (6) v Andy Jenkins/Devon Petersen
Terry Jenkins (11) v Jonny Clayton/Andy Hamilton
Benito van de Pas (7) v Robbie Green/Daryl Gurney
Mensur Suljovic (10) v John Michael/Host Nation Qualifier 4
Peter Wright (2) v Host Nation Qualifier 3/Steve West
Simon Whitlock (15) v Gerwyn Price/Tony Newell
Dave Chisnall (4) v John Henderson/Jan Dekker
Gary Anderson (13) v Kim Viljanen/Host Nation Qualifier 1
Kim Huybrechts (5) v Dimitri Van den Bergh/Jeffrey de Graaf
Robert Thornton (12) v Wes Newton/Shaun Griffiths
Jelle Klaasen (8) v Ritchie Edhouse/Harry Ward
James Wade (9) v Host Nation Qualifier 5/Andy Boulton
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Jamie Caven/Christian Kist
Alan Norris (16) v Cristo Reyes/Kyle Anderson
Session Schedule
Friday July 29– First Round
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
First Round x8
John Henderson v Jan Dekker
Ritchie Edhouse v Harry Ward
Wes Newton v Shaun Griffiths
Kim Viljanen v HNQ1
James Richardson v Daniele Petri
Robbie Green v Daryl Gurney
John Michael v HNQ4
Jonny Clayton v Andy Hamilton
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
First Round x8
Mark Frost v HNQ2
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Jeffrey de Graaf
HNQ3 v Steve West
Jamie Caven v Christian Kist
Andy Jenkins v Devon Petersen
Host Nation Qualifier 5 v Andy Boulton
Cristo Reyes v Kyle Anderson
Gerwyn Price v Tony Newell
Saturday July 30 – Second Round
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Second Round x8
Terry Jenkins v Clayton/Hamilton
Stephen Bunting v Frost/HNQ2
Robert Thornton v Newton/Griffiths
Jelle Klaasen v Edhouse/Ward
Benito van de Pas v Green/Gurney
Mensur Suljovic v Michael/HNQ4
Ian White v A Jenkins/Petersen
Michael Smith v Richardson/Petri
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Second Round x8
Simon Whitlock v Price/Newell
Kim Huybrechts v Van den Bergh/de Graaf
Dave Chisnall v Henderson/Dekker
Peter Wright v HNQ3/West
Gary Anderson v Viljanen/HNQ1
James Wade v HNQ5/Boulton
Michael van Gerwen v Caven/Kist
Alan Norris v Reyes/Anderson
Sunday July 31
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Third Round x8
Games played in draw bracket order
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Final
Games played in draw bracket order
All games are the best of 11 legs