Last year, Peter Wright was the surprise winner and Gian van Veen finally broke through to the general public by reaching the semi-finals after beating Michael van Gerwen in the quarters.
Unlike other tournaments, the European Championship works with a different ranking than the PDC Order of Merit, namely the PDC European Tour Order of Merit.
This year, 13 European Tour (or 'Eurotours') were held across Europe, mainly Germany, and from that came its own ranking.
As with the PDC Order of Merit, it is based on prize money. The top 32 have qualified for the tournament.
It may be called a European Championship, but that doesn't mean non-European participants aren't allowed to compete.
The name came because all 13 Eurotours, and the final, are completed in Europe.
Tournament format
Since 2008, this major has been on the PDC calendar and it's also the first time a major darts tournament went to Germany.
Since its introduction, it has always been played in Germany, except twice, but the venue for the final round has seen some changes.
Since 2022, it has been held at the Westhalenhallen in Dortmund. In 2021 it was played in Salzburg and in 2009 in Hoofddorp.
The number 1 of the Eurotour Order of Merit plays against the number 32, number 2 against 31, 3 against 30, and so on.
Breakthrough Van Veen
Wright won the last European Championship and it was a remarkable win indeed.
He finished last in the Premier League last year and was the laughing stock of the competition. He often didn't get to a 90 average and played some of the wort darts of his career.
But, in the final, he beat James Wade 11-6.
Wade had dealt in the semi-finals with Van Veen, who made his breakthrough at the last European Championship.
Van Veen beat Van Gerwen 10-6 earlier in the day, but had to acknowledge his superiority to the English 'Machine' (11-9).
The 22-year-old was ahead 5-1 at one point, but couldn't win the match.
So despite the defeat, this was the breakthrough the young Dutchman was looking for.
Flashscore spoke to the Van Veen last year. In that interview, he said that "the darts world now knows who Gian van Veen is".
Van Gerwen's domination
Van Veen won't be among the favourites, but surprising again would certainly be a possibility.
Who is always among the favourites is his compatriot Van Gerwen.
The Dutchman had major dental surgery earlier this year, but has already won a Eurotour and a floor tournament since his return.
At the World Grand Prix, however, he disappointed, losing 2-0 in sets to Daryl Gurney in the first round without winning a leg.
Van Gerwen has managed to win the tournament four times.
From 2014 to 2017, Van Gerwen was the main man in Germany - winning four titles in a row.
In 2016, when he won just about everything, he pulverised Mensur Suljovic 11-1 and threw a 111.62 average. With that, he holds the record for the highest average in the final.
In 2015, he won with an average of 107.28 and in 2017 with an average of 108.91.
The only other player to win the European Championship four times was Phil Taylor.
'The Power' did so between 2008 to 2011 and also threw incredible averages in the finals; 104.35 in 2008, 109.35 in 2009, 105.75 in 2010 and 109.29 in 2011.
