Gerwyn Price felt 'head was going to blow off' during spicy Daryl Gurney clash
Price won the opening round match 10-7 in Blackpool on Monday night, continuing the fine form he has shown in recent weeks.
It was a tasty contest between the two, with Gurney mocking Price's trademark celebrations and the Iceman seemingly being much more reserved than normal in a bid to keep a lid on his emotions.
After the Welshman hit the winning double, it looked like it would all end in friendly fashion but Price gave a very aggressive handshake, which suggested all was not fine between the two.
Price did not give away much on his feelings on Gurney, but did say he was doing his best to remain calm throughout the game.
'I just felt like I needed to keep myself composed,' he said. 'I was forcing to not let my emotions get the best of me. Sometimes that's what happens, sometimes I try and control it.
'I think possibly that's what got me over the winning line, try to keep everything intact and let it go at the end.
'I know if it was five, six, seven years ago that game probably could have got away from me and slipped away. But I've learned to keep my emptions intact at key points where my head was going to blow off but I had to keep it in.'
Gurney's Northern Ireland World Cup teammate Josh Rock was also in action on Monday, brilliantly beating Ross Smith.
He said of the incident: 'I didn't think there was anything in it until Daryl saw the funny side of it and Gezzy didn't.'
Ahead of the match, Price had said that his relationship with the Northern Irishman is very good.
'I get on really well with Daryl, he's playing some good stuff,' said the former world champion. 'I get on really well with him and I think it'll be a really good game.'
The Iceman also seemed to make light of the clash on social media after the game, referencing his recent weight loss as he wrote on Instagram: 'Have to be careful these days I'm down to light cruiser weight.'
Price was very impressive, averaging 100.21 in the victory which set up a last 16 meeting with Chris Dobey.
Hollywood's 10-5 win over Ricardo Pietreczko was not so sparkling, with Dobey needing an average of just 90.95.
Rock was the star of Monday night as he secured a 10-5 victory with a 104.32 against Smith to book a meeting with Michael van Gerwen in the next round.
Tuesday July 227pmGian van Veen v Danny NoppertWessel Nijman v James WadeStephen Bunting v Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton v Mike De Decker
Wednesday July 237pmAndrew Gilding v Dirk van DuijvenbodeChris Dobey v Gerwyn PriceLuke Littler v Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock
MORE: Who's next for Oleksandr Usyk? Joseph Parker could get his shot but a third fight with Tyson Fury cannot be ruled out
MORE: Defending champion Luke Humphries stunned on first night of World Matchplay
MORE: World Matchplay Darts 2025 schedule, time, TV channel and odds
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Prince William will be joined by two key royals as he supports Lionesses on major trip
The Prince of Wales is set to be joined by two other major royals when he arrives in Switzerland to watch England take on Spain in the Euro 2025 final Prince William is set to be joined by two other key royals when he watches the Lionesses take on Spain in the Women's Euros final on Sunday, it has been revealed. England's Lionesses soared into final as Chloe Kelly scored in the 119th minute as their nail-biting match against Italy went into extra time during Tuesday's semi-final. William, patron of the Football Association, announced he would be travelling to Basel for the finale earlier this week, sharing that he is excited to cheer on the Lionesses in their bid for glory. And now it has been revealed, that the Spanish team will also have some royal support, with Spanish heir to the throne Princess Leonor is also planning to be at the match. The Spanish royal household has confirmed to local media that Leonor will be joined by her younger sister, Infanta Sofia, 18, in a rare joint appearance for their daughters of Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain - making a royal reunion likely. Sofia joined her mum Letizia in Australia in 2023 when the Spanish team won the World Cup, beating England in the final Earlier in the current tournament, William, who is an avid football fan, travelled to Switzerland to watch the England women's team in their group match against the Netherlands, which they won 4-0. Before the team headed off for the championships, he visited the team at their St George's Park training ground, where he told them: "The men's team could definitely learn off your camaraderie and your team environment. 'You're brilliant together, you create a very unique unit that is rare in lots of other sports. So hold onto that, treasure that, build on it, because it's one of your greatest assets." William previously presented the England women's team with the trophy when they won the 2022 Women's Euros after beating Germany at Wembley. However, he came in for heavy criticism when in 2023, he did not travel to Australia to support the team when they reached the World Cup final against Spain the following year, which they ultimately lost. William's announcement that he will journey to Switzerland for the final match comes after King Charles also issued a statement to send his congratulations to the Lionesses after reaching the final. In a statement posted on social media, the King said: 'My wife and I join all our family in wishing you, the proud Lionesses, our warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the Uefa Euro tournament. 'Your journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing the skill, determination (and test of nerve!) for which your team is so rightly celebrated. Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday. 'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more. Charles R."
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sarina Wiegman v Montse Tome – managers battling for Euro 2025 glory
Sunday's Euro 2025 final offers up a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final as England seek revenge against Spain. Both England boss Sarina Wiegman and Spain coach Montse Tome were on the sidelines for Spain's 1-0 win in Sydney two years ago, but where Wiegman was seeking a second major trophy with the Lionesses, Tome was then assistant to Jorge Vilda. Here, the PA news agency take a look at the two women who will lead their sides out in Basel. Sarina Wiegman Wiegman's appointment in September 2021 was a statement from England. The FA hired a manager who had won Euro 2017 with the Netherlands on home soil before guiding her home country to the final of the 2019 World Cup, gaining global recognition as one of the very best in the game. That success has continued with England. Her arrival was delayed by the postponed Tokyo Olympics but Wiegman took over what had been a struggling side and instantly delivered results, culminating in victory at Euro 2022 less than a year into her reign. That success at Wembley made Wiegman the first coach to deliver back-to-back European titles for different nations. They followed it up with a win over world champions the United States before adding the Arnold Clark Cup and the Finalissima to the trophy cabinet. The following year, amid rumours that rival nations wanted to poach Wiegman, England reached the final of the World Cup despite missing several key players, but Olga Carmona's goal broke English hearts as Wiegman finished a World Cup runner-up again. Despite that disappointment, the FA's faith in Wiegman was clear as she signed a new contract through to 2027. Montse Tome Spain's moment of glory in Australia was swiftly followed by controversy. RFEF boss Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso during the trophy presentation – for which he was later found guilty of sexual assault – and when he was forced out of the federation, coach Jorge Vilda also followed. Out of that, Tome stepped up from her position as an assistant to become the first female coach of the Spanish team. The former midfielder, capped five times in a playing career during which she won two Spanish titles, one with Levante and one with Barcelona, moved into coaching straight after her retirement in 2018 and was appointed to Vilda's staff in the same year after gaining her UEFA Pro Licence. When she stepped up to the top job in 2023 there were question marks over whether she was ready and although Spain won the Nations League in February 2024, beating France in the final, those critics returned after they finished fourth at the Paris Olympics. But Spain have won every game so far at Euro 2025 and if they finish it off with the trophy on Sunday, those doubters will be silenced.
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Maro Itoje issues rallying cry to Lions ahead of second Test: ‘Not all games are equal'
Maro Itoje has warned the British and Irish Lions not to take the Wallabies lightly as they bid to 'do something special' in the second Test in Melbourne. The Lions are hoping to seal the series at the MCG on Saturday after beating Australia rugby in Brisbane last weekend to take a 1-0 lead after an excellent first-half performance. They are strong favourites to win in Melbourne and win the quadrennial affair with a game to spare, though are bracing for a Wallabies backlash after a slow start from Joe Schmidt 's side a week ago. The return of Will Skelton, a former teammate of Itoje's at Saracens, and Rob Valetini are significant boosts for the home side as they bid to match the Lions physically. A crowd of 90,000 or more is expected at the MCG and Itoje believes his side have to be ready for both their opposition and the occasion. 'When you wear this jersey and represent the Lions you know it comes with huge honour and a sense of responsibility, and we know we are not playing a pub team.' Itoje emphasised. 'The Wallabies are a proper team, I played them last year in the autumn [with England] and we lost to them when we were supposed to win. They are a team that can punish you if you don't approach the game properly. 'When you spend time in Melbourne and speak to the locals, they hold the MCG in a really special regard. It's a real opportunity and privilege for us to play there in what will be an amazing stadium and crowd. If it reaches full capacity, it'll definitely be the biggest stadium I've played in. It's something we're looking to relish." The Lions were visited this week by Martin Johnson, who presented the Test side with their shirts having led the touring side on two tours. Fellow England lock Itoje has often saved his best for Lions series and World Cup knockout games, with the 30-year-old long established as a big-match performer. While this will be his 32nd start of a long season, the lock is ready to go again and admits that games like this bring another level out of him. 'As a professional athlete, there's always focus to what you do, but not all games are equal,' Itoje explained. 'Not all games mean the same thing. And this game, last week, these games aren't equal to normal games of rugby. They're special. So naturally, there's a higher level of focus. It requires a higher level of intensity and a higher level of diligence to what you want to do. 'I guess these sort of games are almost the reason why you want to play rugby. You want to play rugby and be a part of these huge occasions maybe a little bit of jeopardy on the line, but more so the opportunity to do something special, the opportunity to do something that lives long in the memory, and create special memories with your friends and colleagues and family.'
