THE THREE D’s: drama, deciders and Dutch dominance defined the afternoon session at the Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy as the last 16 produced a string of tight contests and a handful of notable upsets in Antwerp.
Top seed Gian van Veen survived a real scare against compatriot Kevin Doets. The Dutchman was forced all the way in a high-quality battle, eventually prevailing 6-5 despite Doets posting a towering 106.24 average. Van Veen’s composure on the big stage once again proved decisive as he booked his place in the quarter-finals.
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Chris Dobey edged a tense all-English affair against Ryan Searle by the same 6-5 scoreline, while Ryan Joyce continued his strong run by seeing off Jermaine Wattimena 6-5. The biggest shock of the session arrived when Ross Smith knocked out Gerwyn Price in another last-leg thriller, 6-5, ending the Welshman’s challenge and confirming Smith’s progress.
James Wade produced one of the more clinical displays of the afternoon, averaging over 101 as he defeated Rob Cross 6-5 in a high-stakes clash between two experienced campaigners. Danny Noppert also impressed with a 100-plus average in a 6-4 victory over Wessel Nijman, ensuring a strong Dutch presence in the last eight.
Damon Heta, still buoyant after his Saturday-night scalp of Michael van Gerwen, maintained his momentum with a solid 6-3 win over Luke Woodhouse. The Australian’s scoring power proved too much for the Englishman. Completing the afternoon’s action, Nathan Aspinall continued his excellent form by defeating Stephen Bunting 6-4, setting up an intriguing quarter-final against Heta.
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The session was characterised by deciding-leg drama, with five of the eight matches going the distance. High averages from Doets, Wade, Noppert, Heta and Woodhouse underlined the quality on show, while the exits of Price, Cross, Searle and Bunting added further intrigue to an already open European Tour event.
Attention now turns to the evening session, where the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will decide the Flanders Darts Trophy champion. Van Veen faces Dobey, Joyce meets Smith, Wade takes on Noppert, and Heta locks horns with Aspinall in what promises to be a thrilling climax in Antwerp.
Flanders Darts Trophy 2026
Afternoon Session Results (Last 16)
Gian van Veen 6–5 Kevin Doets
Chris Dobey 6–5 Ryan Searle
Ryan Joyce 6–5 Jermaine Wattimena
Ross Smith 6–5 Gerwyn Price
James Wade 6–5 Rob Cross
Danny Noppert 6–4 Wessel Nijman
Damon Heta 6–3 Luke Woodhouse
Nathan Aspinall 6–4 Stephen Bunting
Images: PDC
