THREE St Helens darters Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall and Stepphen Bunting compete in the HappyBet European Darts Open title in Dusseldorf this weekend.
Robert Thornton will face either Wes Newton or Shaun Griffiths when he begins his defence of the title 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.
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 Petr,i 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/Newel,l 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.
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