Ross Smith comes into the European Championships enjoying some brilliant form, not only on the European Tour to be the top seed, but also picking up a major title at the World Series of Darts Finals.
“Smudger” is in the hunt for a spot at the Premier League, and he’s in the form to get there.
On the other side of things, Damon Heta has largely struggled in 2026, not reaching the levels of previous years, and hence dropping out of the worlds top 20. However, over recently weeks he has began to find that form. He reached the Quarter-Finals in Maastricht, hitting a 103.57 average in taking out Clayton, and a 102.5 against Schindler in the next round.
Ross Smith managed to eventually put away the 32nd seed in Karel Sedlacek in the opening round, surviving after seven consecutive breaks of throw. Damon Heta squeezed through a tight game with James Wade, having to survive four match darts in doing so.
Smith is averaging 95.81 for the year, comfortably in the global top ten, as well as finishing at over 41% over the last twelve months. Meanwhile, Damon Heta is on 94.22 over the last twelve months. The most shocking stat is the 180’s hit, with Smith on 471, while the Aussie is on just over half, at 288.
The pair have met 15 times in the PDC, with the first dating back in 2020. Having led 4-1 in the head-to-head in November 2020, Heta then lost his next nine meetings with Smith, before finally getting over the line against him at the World Masters in January 2025 – their most recent meeting. Despite trailing 10-5 in the overall head-to-head, Heta leads 2-1 in premier events, also getting the win at the 2020 Players Championship Finals, with Ross Smith coming out on top at the 2023 Masters.
The format has increased to a best of 19 encounter now, with the winner to take on either the defending champion in Gian van Veen, or 9-dart hero Luke Woodhouse in the Quarter-Finals tomorrow afternoon.
