Luke Littler’s dreams of adding the missing European Championship to his collection were dashed to some tune by Krzysztof Ratajski, as he took a 10-6 win in their quarter final meeting in Dortmund.
Littler won the opening leg of the contest, but that would be as good as it got for the next seven legs as Ratajski ran riot, an 11-darter putting him six legs clear of the World Champion.
‘The Polish Eagle’ would then make Littler pay for missed darts at double to lead 8-2 at the second interval, but Littler would rally, reeling off four legs on the spin to close to 8-6.
Ratajski would stop the rot to go a leg away from a famous win, and he delivered the killer blow to complete the upset, and make the semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Gerwyn Price powered past Stephen Bunting to make the last four, with the Welshman a dominant 10-3 winner.
25/10/26: Quarter Final. Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting. Picture: Michael Cooper/PDC
Price flew out of the blocks, missing double 12 for a nine-darter and establishing 5-0 and 7-1 advantages.
Bunting did launch a mini-fightback, a 110 finish reducing his large arrears to 7-3, but Price wouldn’t be denied, ending with a 103 average to race into the next round.
Martin Schindler wowed his home crowd as he marched into the semi-finals with a surprisingly one-sided 10-1 win against Jonny Clayton.
25/10/26: Quarter Final. Martin Schindler v Jonny Clayton. Picture: Michael Cooper/PDC
The German was dominant from the off, and a 167 finish was the highlight as ‘The Wall’ ended with an average north of 99.
Ross Smith was the first man into the semi-finals, as he ousted Luke Woodhouse in a 10-6 success.
Smith led 3-2 at the first interval, averaging over 107 in the process, and the World Series Finals champion extended that advantage to 7-3 with a majestic 145 finish.
Woodhouse battled, an 81 finish on the bullseye reducing his arrears to 8-6, but Smith restored order, and went a leg away from the last four, before a seventh 180 and an 81 finish of his own on the bull sealed victory.
The action continues on Sunday evening, where the champion will be crowned.
2026 Machineseeker European Championship
Sunday October 25
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Ross Smith 10-6 Luke Woodhouse
Gerwyn Price 10-3 Stephen Bunting
Martin Schindler 10-1 Jonny Clayton
Krzysztof Ratajski 10-6 Luke Littler
Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Ross Smith v Gerwyn Price
Martin Schindler v Krzysztof Ratajski
Best of 21 legs
