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<\/p>\nJames Wade says he was left with \u2018burning eyes\u2019 due to his opponent\u2019s Deep Heat at the European Championship.<\/p>\n
The Machine has experienced a lot during his long darts career, but there was a first during his first round match with Dirk van Duijvenbode in Dortmund. Wade came through 6-3 despite having to contend with a strong odour coming from the Dutchman.<\/p>\n
Wade believes Van Duijvenbode had doused himself with the strong spelling spray which is used to help circulation and ease muscle stiffness. Speaking after the game, he said: \u201cDirk's obviously not very well. He had a lot of Deep Heat on, it was burning my eyes for the first three of four legs.<\/p>\n
JAMES WADE COLUMN: There's time to turn around a poor year as I learn planets and podcasts <\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Jonny Clayton does a Jose de Sousa against the king of darting miscounts <\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cThen I adapted to it but when I did get to 3-1, I kept thinking about the Deep Heat. I've never experienced that. It made my eyes water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of the tournament, Wade wrote in his latest exclusive Daily Star Sport column that 2023 has \u201cnot been a year that is going to take up a lot of space in my autobiography\u201d. <\/p>\n
Who will win the European Championship Darts? Tell us in the comments section below<\/i> <\/b><\/p>\n
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However, with a run of upcoming majors, culminating in the World Championship, Wade is hoping to end the year on a high and insists his motivation is still strong. Asked if he was content with his year to date, he replied: \u201cI've looked at my earnings for the last 12 months, why would I be content?<\/p>\n
\u201cI've been off the back end of being really not well but you can't keep harping on about it. That's reality. People will say it's an excuse, but I know where I was and I know what I did. I'm not content and I'm not happy.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThat's why I'm still here. Financially, I could walk away from the game tomorrow and be happily ever after. But I think I'd have a left a few stones unturned. But I've still not unturned enough stones.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to win another tournament, that would be a quick march for me and a quick step, and easy entry back into the top flight of darts. At the moment I'm playing like a beginner again. In there when he [Van Duijvenbode] was struggling like mad, I had nothing to give and it\u2019s disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n