Former World Champion Michael Smith will once again be watching a PDC TV major from the sofa after failing to make the cut for this year’s Grand Prix.
Even worse, he is unable to defend his £40k semi-final winnings from 2023. It’s another gut punch for Bully Boy, coming just weeks after also missing out on the World Matchplay – darts’ cruel way of reminding him that form and fortune rarely align.
Hildesheim could have been the 34-year-old’s salvation. But after early exits in both Players Championship events, only the Swiss Darts Open remained as a qualifying chance – Hungary already off the table. Smith needed to be among the final Basel ten.
Instead, Niko Springer had other ideas, making the Englishman an early victim en route to a successful run.It’s been a rough ride for Smith, whose battle with injuries and health issues has been as much a part of his story as the trophies.
St Helens’ finest will also skip the European Championship, though there’s still hope for Minehead in November when the Players Championship Finals roll around. At least there, he looks safe. For now.One thing is certain – the sport is far better with a fully fit and functioning Michael Smith.
You can add a Dutch Michael to that belief – one called Van Gerwen. And dare I say it – possibly jumping the gun a little – but Adrian Lewis. Imagine that trio all at the top of their game in the very near future. Throw in the mass of talent already swimming in the PDC pool and it may well just take darts to another stratosphere.
On the Grand Prix front, Smith is not alone. Plenty of players’ dreams disappeared the second they failed to book a flight to Switzerland – albeit some relying on nothing short of lifting the trophy. With the cut-off looming and most of the top names already double-dipping across the events, there’s little point calculating permutations unless you enjoy spreadsheets more than darts.
And I certainly don’t. So perhaps after Hungary is done and dusted we can have a closer look.Back to qualifying today, and it was a successful day at the office for William O’Connor and Callan Rydz, who booked spots in both Basel and Hildesheim, ensuring their autumn schedules are busy.
For O’Connor, sneaking into Switzerland could prove crucial – he’s currently clinging to the last Grand Prix qualifying spot like a man holding onto the bar for last orders. That Swiss run might just be his get-out-of-jail card – especially as he won’t be heading to Budapest and, after that weekend, may well feel like a Formula One driver who has just been overtaken too many times.
But, of course, this is darts – where reserve lists and late call-ups are as common as 180s. Illness, mystery hand injuries, or someone deciding they’d rather not risk their luggage vanishing into the European abyss – all could still shuffle the deck.
So, if you’re on the standby list, maybe don’t book that relaxing weekend break just yet. There’s every chance your phone will ring.
ET13 – Swiss Darts Trophy Qualifiers
Niko Springer Owen Bates Oskar Lukasiak Ritchie Edhouse Cor Dekker Martin Lukeman Lukas Wenig William O’Connor Callan Rydz Jitse Van der Wal
ET14 – German Darts Championship Qualifiers
Karel Sedlacek Joe Cullen Tom Bissell Christian Kist Wesley Plaisier Radek Szaganski Steve Lennon Callan Rydz Justin Hood William O’Connor
——Ends——-
