Littler & Humphries dominant at European Championship

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries both breezed into the second round of the European Championship in Germany with emphatic victories.

World champion Littler claimed a 6-1 win over his childhood hero Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld.

The 18-year-old finished with an average of 98.97 and a checkout success of 46.2% as the five-time world champion was overwhelmed.

Humphries was even more emphatic at Dortmund's Westfalenhalle as he thrashed Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski 6-0.

The current world number one averaged 109.98 as he threw five 180s, sealing victory with a 161 checkout.

Littler, who faces James Wade next, will become world number one for the first time in his career should he win the tournament.

Wade cruised to a 6-1 win over Mike de Decker, while Cameron Menzies claimed a 6-3 win over fellow Scot Gary Anderson and Ricardo Pietreczko edged a 6-4 win over Josh Rock.

Nathan Aspinall continued his recent good form with a 6-1 win over Rob Cross, while Danny Noppert beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3.

Niko Springer 3-6 Jermaine Wattimena

Gary Anderson 3-6 Cameron Menzies

James Wade 6-1 Mike de Decker

Josh Rock 4-6 Ricardo Pietreczko

Luke Humphries 6-0 Krzysztof Ratajski

Luke Littler 6-1 Raymond van Barneveld

Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Rob Cross

Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-6 Danny Noppert