Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Humphries won the PDC World Championship title in January 2024
ByMandeep SangheraBBC Sport journalist- Published44 minutes ago
World number two Luke Humphries has pulled out of the European Championship in Germany because of gastroenteritis.
Humphries was coming into the tournament on the back of winning the World Grand Prix prior to reaching the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy final, which he lost to Jonny Clayton.
Kim Huybrechts will come in as a replacement as the Belgian is the highest-ranked player from the 2026 European Tour rankings who had not qualified.
Huybrechts will face Ryan Searle when the European Championship starts in Dortmund on Thursday, while Gerwyn Price will play Rob Cross and defending champion Gian van Veen will take on Andrew Gilding among the night's eight matches.
World number one and PDC world champion Luke Littler will start his challenge on Friday with a match against William O'Connor.
Thursday's order of play
Round one (18:00 BST)
Luke Woodhouse v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Danny Noppert v Stephen Bunting
Niels Zonneveld v Cameron Menzies
Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross
James Wade v Damon Heta
Kim Huybrechts v Ryan Searle
Gian van Veen v Andrew Gilding
Ross Smith v Karel Sedlacek
