Reigning Belgian Darts Open champion Luke Littler cruised into Sunday’s action with an emphatic and imperious display, dismantling Boris Krcmar with a ton plus average that radiated authority from the very first dart.
The Nuke blasted into a blistering 5-0 lead, threatening complete annihilation, and while the imposing Croatian managed to salvage a couple of legs to restore a semblance of respectability, the outcome was never in genuine jeopardy.
The teenage phenomenon now advances to face Niels Zonneveld – a name that, it is fair to say, was not high on the Wieze crowd’s wish list as a challenger to their reigning champion.
Their reluctance was understandable. Triple Z had just orchestrated a highly unpopular turnaround, recovering from a precarious 5-3 deficit to eliminate Belgium’s beloved number one, Mike De Decker, plunging the Oktoberhallen into stunned silence.
The Real Deal made his entrance to the uplifting tones of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, yet the promised reassurance of every little thing is gonna be alright ultimately rang hollow. Within touching distance of victory, and with Zonneveld squandering a catalogue of missed doubles, the script appeared firmly in De Decker’s favour – until it wasn’t.
The opportunity slipped, the momentum shifted, and the Dutchman capitalised with ruthless composure.However, just prior to losing their leading man, the home supporters were afforded a moment of celebration as one of their own emerged victorious. In a meeting of former Lakeside champions, Andy Baetens overcame Stephen Bunting in a contest that, while not brimming with aesthetic brilliance, carried its own intrigue. For the second consecutive weekend, The Bullet endured intermittent whistles from sections of the crowd, though in truth, the Liverpudlian’s performance lacked the fluency required to silence any detractors.
Baetens, nicknamed the Beast from the East, was far from monstrous himself, yet he produced enough measured solidity to secure a place in round three, where Martin Schindler now awaits. Luke Humphries, ever composed and methodical, also booked his passage into the latter stages with victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode, although he did so in unnecessarily convoluted fashion.
Having surged into a commanding 4-0 lead, Cool Hand appeared to be coasting. However, the Dutchman, previously languishing well below his customary standards, suddenly rediscovered his rhythm and injected life into the contest. A more precise attempt at double sixteen would have forced a deciding leg, but when the pivotal moment arrived, Van Duijvenbode faltered. Humphries, by contrast, was clinical – and that proved decisive.
The world number one now prepares for a fascinating encounter with another Dutch adversary in Jermaine Wattimena.Cristo Reyes continues to author a quietly impressive renaissance on the Pro Tour, claiming a notable scalp in the form of the vastly experienced James Wade. A perennial presence on the European stage – almost as ubiquitous as Real Madrid in elite footballing circles – Wade has surprisingly converted only two continental titles.
That tally will not be extended this weekend, courtesy of a polished and assured performance from the Tenerife thrower. The Spartan now advances to face Ryan Joyce in what promises to be a compelling contest. Jonny Clayton’s remarkable start to the season shows little sign of abating.
Perched comfortably at the summit of the Premier League standings and seemingly edging ever closer to O2 qualification, The Ferret added another composed victory to his growing portfolio, dispatching Sebastian Bialecki with professional efficiency. The Welshman now locks horns with Ross Smith in what has all the makings of a high calibre last 16 encounter.
The penultimate clash of the evening saw Mr Euro Tour himself, Michael van Gerwen once again assert his enduring dominance on this stage, overcoming the ever-tenacious Mickey Mansell. Having already accounted for former World Champion Michael Smith, the Irishman harboured ambitions of adding another illustrious name to his list of conquests. Indeed, a missed opportunity at double, which would have forced a deciding leg with Mansell holding the throw, leaves a lingering sense of what might have been.
Yet, in the end, the result reverted to its familiar conclusion – The Green Machine advancing to a Sunday on the European Tour, a scenario that now feels almost routine in its frequency and inevitability. Superchin, Daryl Gurney waits for The Green Machine.
In the final game of the evening, there was further jubilation rippled through the Oktoberhallen as Belgium’s darting godfather, Kim Huybrechts, delivered a stirring and authoritative second half performance to extinguish what has rapidly become a forgettable and sobering week for Josh Rock.
The Hurricane, roared on by a fervent and partisan crowd, shifted through the gears with renewed conviction, seizing control of the contest when it mattered most and ensuring a triumphant moment for the home nation.The result guarantees that the Wieze faithful will have not one, but two of their own to rally behind as the tournament reaches its decisive stages.
With Andy Baetens and Huybrechts both flying the Belgian flag, the atmosphere promises to remain electric. The question now lingers with tantalising intrigue – just how far can The Beast and The Hurricane go? Wieze dares to dream of a Sunday night to remember.
BELGIAN DARTS OPEN (ET3)Wieze, Belgium (20-22 March)
Saturday Evening Session Results
Cristo Reyes 6-2 James Wade
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Sebastian Bialecki
Andy Baetens 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Mike De Decker
Luke Littler 6-2 Boris Krcmar
Luke Humphries 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Mickey Mansell
Kim Huybrechts 6-4 Josh Rock
Sunday Afternoon Session Fixtures
Luke Littler vs Niels Zonnerveld
Danny Noppert vs Ryan Searle
Jonny Clayton vs Ross Smith
Andy Baetens vs Martin Schindler
Luke Humphries Vs Jermaine Wattimena
Kim Huybrechts vs Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney
Cristo Reyes vs Ryan Joyce
—–Emds—–
Images: Jenny Segers
