Karel Sedláček kept his European Championship qualification hopes flickering as the Swiss Darts Trophy got underway at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel on Friday, while home favourite Stefan Bellmont produced a landmark performance in front of his own crowd.
The Czech qualifier averaged over 100 and came from 4-3 down to defeat Sebastian Bialecki 6-4. A clinical 86 checkout on the bull secured the decisive break of throw as Sedláček stayed alive in the race for Dortmund later this month. He now faces Wessel Nijman for a place in the last 16.
“I was waiting for my chance and I hit the bull; super!” Sedláček said. “The chance [for Dortmund] is still alive, I think I’m still alive too, we will see. I think my last match against Wessel was perfect for me, so we will see tomorrow.”
Bellmont created history in the evening’s opening match, becoming only the third Swiss player to win a game at the Swiss Darts Trophy. The 37-year-old, appearing in his tenth European Tour event, reeled off five consecutive legs to overcome former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding 6-3. It was just his third career victory on the circuit.
“Playing in front of your home crowd is very special and I wanted to win so much,” Bellmont reflected. “There were quite a few nerves in the early stages of the match, but thankfully I was able to raise my game. I know I will have to play better tomorrow but for now I just want to enjoy this amazing moment.”
He will meet Krzysztof Ratajski in round two.
Michael Smith also remains in the mix for the final European Championship spots after a 6-4 win over Rob Owen. The former world champion faces Jermaine Wattimena next.
Rob Cross was the day’s standout performer for the second event in succession, posting a 105.95 average in a controlled 6-3 victory over Mario Vandenbogaerde. The Slovak Darts Open runner-up meets Luke Woodhouse in the next round.
Bradley Brooks produced another excellent European Tour opening-round display, averaging over 100 in a high-quality 6-4 success against World Grand Prix quarter-finalist Niels Zonneveld.
Both men topped the ton and combined for 13 maximums. Brooks, unbeaten in four first-round European Tour ties this year, takes on Chris Dobey.
Maik Kuivenhoven ended a near five-year losing streak by defeating compatriot Raymond van Barneveld 6-3, denying the five-time world champion a first European Tour win of the campaign.
Dave Chisnall and Tom Bissell both sealed last-leg victories. Chisnall edged Alan Soutar, while Bissell claimed only his second career European Tour win by seeing off Joe Cullen 6-5, dealing a significant blow to Cullen’s European Championship prospects as he sits just outside the qualifying places.
Cristo Reyes recorded his first European Tour win since May, averaging 98 in a 6-4 defeat of Cameron Menzies. The Spaniard now faces Ryan Searle.
Mensur Suljović overcame György Jehirszki 6-3 despite the Hungarian landing two ton-plus finishes, and will meet Michael van Gerwen on Saturday evening.
Host-nation hopes were dashed as Swiss trio Roman Wellinger, Bruno Stoeckli and Alex Fehlmann all fell short. Niko Springer, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Damon Heta progressed respectively.
William O’Connor and Jeffrey de Graaf recorded comfortable wins over Jani Haavisto and Sietse Lap, before Kevin Doets closed the evening with a solid 6-3 success against late call-up Nick Kenny.
The Swiss Darts Trophy continues with a double session on Saturday as the 16 seeded players enter the fray at St. Jakobshalle.
Live coverage of the Swiss Darts Trophy will be streamed on DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with additional coverage available on CANAL+ SPORT 5 and via the CANAL+ streaming service in Poland.
Coverage will also be broadcast on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers’ websites worldwide.
2026 Swiss Darts Trophy
Friday October 9
Round One
Afternoon Session
Bradley Brooks 6-4 Niels Zonneveld
William O’Connor 6-1 Jani Haavisto
Mensur Suljovic 6-3 Gyorgy Jehirszki
Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki
Niko Springer 6-1 Roman Wellinger
Tom Bissell 6-5 Joe Cullen
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Rob Cross 6-3 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Evening Session
Stefan Bellmont 6-3 Andrew Gilding
Jeffrey de Graaf 6-4 Sietse Lap
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Alan Soutar
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Bruno Stoeckli
Michael Smith 6-4 Rob Owen
Damon Heta 6-2 Alex Fehlmann
Kevin Doets 6-3 Nick Kenny
Saturday October 10
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Krzysztof Ratajski v Stefan Bellmont
Wessel Nijman v Karel Sedlacek
Luke Woodhouse v Rob Cross
Martin Schindler v Tom Bissell
Ryan Searle v Cristo Reyes
Ross Smith v William O’Connor
Chris Dobey v Bradley Brooks
Jermaine Wattimena v Michael Smith
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Josh Rock v Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey De Graaf
James Wade v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Jonny Clayton v Maik Kuivenhoven
Michael van Gerwen v Mensur Suljovic
Luke Humphries v Kevin Doets
Gian van Veen v Niko Springer
Danny Noppert v Damon Heta
ENDS
Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe
