Day two of the 2025 European Darts Open saw the seeded players finally arrive at the Ostermann-Arena – but most didn’t stay long. Big names were shown the door early, with upsets dominating the headlines and underdogs stealing the spotlight in what turned out to be a chaotic and thrilling afternoon.
ROSS SMITH 2-6 MATT CAMPBELL
First to step onto the stage was former European Champion Ross Smith. Smudger hadn’t lost an opening-round match on the Euro Tour all year, and with Matt Campbell averaging just 82 in his win over Alan Soutar yesterday, a Ross win seemed inevitable right? Wrong.
Unfortunately for the Dover thrower, he suffered the same fate as Soutar – struggling on the doubles at exactly the wrong time. The flame-bearded Canadian duly gobbled up the chances, as if he’d placed a curse on his opponent’s outer ring accuracy. Smith didn’t get on the board until he was 4–0 down, by which point the damage was already done. It’s the Ginger Ninja who becomes the first man into Sunday’s line-up, proving once again that averages don’t win matches – Indian signs over the other blokes doubles also does the trick – or in Matt’s words, ginger trickery.
RYAN SEARLE 5-6 ANDREW GILDING
Two matches in, and two seeds have already fallen – this time Heavy Metal succumbing to a man whose entrance song is ironically a heavy metal. Searle spent the first half of the match frustratingly missing tops when he needed it and hitting it when he didn’t – a cruel darting irony if ever there was one.
Almost stealth-like, Andrew Gilding quietly crept into a 5–2 lead before having to weather a late surge from his compatriot. But Goldfinger held his nerve – and his throw – to book his place in the next round. The Norfolk man already has one Euro Tour final appearance to his name this season, at the European Darts Grand Prix, where he was whitewashed by Gary Anderson. A similar run this weekend wouldn’t go amiss – though, if gets that far again, will be hoping for a very different ending.
DAMON HETA 6-2 MICKEY MANSELL
The Aussie number one booked his spot for Sunday with a breathtaking display of scoring – though his finishing will be something he’ll want to tidy up tomorrow. As expected, the walk-ons were a study in contrast. The Northern Irishman strolled to the stage with calm composure, while Damon Heta bounced up accompanied by whatever Germany’s current pop anthem is, sporting a bright sponge hat and looking like he was orchestrating a stag do.
Early on, The Heat came agonisingly close to landing a perfect leg, dropping too low on the pivotal double 12. From there, the biggest roar from the Leverkusen crowd came not from a checkout, but in response to a successful marriage proposal in the audience. Fortunately for the Perth man, his relentless power scoring gave him the cushion to miss a few doubles without consequence. That proved crucial, as he coasted to a comprehensive victory, booking his place in Sunday’s line-up with style.
DANNY NOPPERT 2-6 RITCHIE EDHOUSE
Reigning European Champion Ritchie Edhouse edged closer to that elusive first Euro Tour title with a truly phenomenal display – averaging just under 103, with first nine darts figures nudging the 130 mark. When the Essex-born tungsten executioner is in this kind of form, it’s almost bewildering to think that his best Euro Tour run to date is just a solitary semi-final.
This was Edhouse at his most efficient – quick, confident, and clinical. Every visit had intent, and his scoring was relentless from the outset. While Dutchman showed glimpses of what he can do, it wasn’t often enough and the difference in firepower was clear. Danny was decent. Ritchie was rampant. And that, as they say, was the tale of the tape.
There was a quiet authority about Edhouse on stage – none of the theatrics, just focused, high-quality darts. He kept his composure, managed the pace of the game superbly, and never really gave Noppert a look-in once he’d found his groove. If Madhouse can carry this form into Sunday’s play, you’d have to consider him a genuine contender for the title. Performances like this are in the Englishman’s locker and if he strings a few more together, that long-awaited tour victory may finally be within reach.
DAVE CHISNALL 5-6 CAMERON MENZIES
This afternoon is turning into a bit of a ginger fairytale – but only if you’ve got the red hair to match. For the seeded players, however, it’s more nightmare than dreamland.
Before he even set foot on stage, Cammie managed to spill his Fanta all over the place backstage – and before he knew it, he was 3-1 down. In contrast, the far less sticky-fingered Dave Chisnall – defending champion and proud owner of what is surely the worst vest known to man – came flying out of the traps, showing every intention of holding onto his crown. His scoring was crisp, his doubling sharp, and early on it looked like he might cruise through without so much as breaking a sweat.
But Menzies, with all the chaotic energy and flair we’ve come to expect, had other ideas. Echoing the spirited comeback he produced in his previous match against Huybrechts, the flamboyant Scotsman turned the tide once again. With a heady mix of bravado, big scoring, and the occasional eye-roll at himself, he dug deep and completed the recovery.
GARY ANDERSON 4-6 WESSEL NIJMAN
For the third time in a row, the young Dutch Padawan has outfoxed the great Scottish Jedi Knight, maintaining his unbeaten record against the former two-time World Champion. Swapping the five ponds he owns back home for a shot at silverware in Leverkusen, this really should have been a match the Flying Scotsman reeled in with ease. But crucial missed doubles at key moments proved costly – unfortunate for him, but all the more fortuitous for Wessel.
It was another proper tug-of-war between the pair – four holds followed by four breaks, as the momentum swung back and forth like a cat flap in a storm. But in the end, it was the 24-year-old who held his nerve, pinching the final two legs for yet another famous triumph. Nijman now marches into the final day of action for the second successive Euro Tour event and will be desperate to go at least one better than his semi-final showing last time out in Rosmalen.
MIKE DE DECKER 6-3 RYAN JOYCE
Belgium will have representation on the final day in Leverkusen, as their number one came through a stern test against the always-dangerous Ryan Joyce. Take nothing away from De Decker – he delivered when it mattered, finishing with an impressive average just over 101 and solid checkout stats to match.
Joyce – normally as reliable as Robin Hood on the left-hand side of the board – saw his accuracy vanish at 3-3. From that point on, the Mechelen maestro took full advantage and raced to the finish line, edging one step closer to adding a Euro Tour title to the glitzy World Grand Prix trophy that already adorns his mantelpiece – or whatever they call it in Belgium.
GIAN VAN VEEN 2-6 DARYL GURNEY
Superchin delivered a heroic performance and a colossal 107 average to see off the reigning World Youth Champion. It was the best display Daryl Gurney has ever produced on the Euro Tour – and to make it even more impressive, he nailed every single double he attempted.
Poor Gian van Veen seems to attract monstrous averages from opponents, but to his credit, he played superbly himself, also clocking in over the ton mark.
It was very much a case of saving the best till last, with the pair treating fans to the highest-quality match of the – possibly even the tournament so far. If Gurney can maintain this kind of form – the very form that took him to two PDC major titles – then there’s every chance he could double his career Euro Tour title tally. It’s been six long years in the making, but it might just be time for the Northern Irishman to rejoin the continental winners’ circle.
—–ENDS—-
Images: PDC Europe
