Home favourites Ricardo Pietreckzo and Martin Schindler got off to brilliant starts at the 2025 Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Grand Prix on Saturday, as Day One came to a close in Munich.
Kicking off the evening session in the Bavarian capital, Pietreczko posted a superb 106 average as he stormed past debutant Adam Paxton, whilst Schindler was equally impressive, averaging 103 in his 6-3 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde, to the delight of the huge home support.
Dirk van Duijvenbode produced a show-stopping 132 checkout to seal his 6-1 victory over Andy Boulton, with the Dutchman pinning the treble 20 and two double 18s, having set it up with a stunning 171 to cap a brilliant final leg.
There was more brilliant match-winning finishing as Krzysztof Ratajski landed a 129 checkout to fend off a spirited fightback from Mensur Suljovic, with the Austrian having recovered from 5-2 down to force a decider.
In a battle of the elder statesmen, 57-year-old Raymond van Barneveld secured his second round berth as he beat a man one year his senior in Germany’s Michael Rosenauer 6-3.
There was further German disappointment as Rene Eidams and Michael Unterbuchner crashed out at the hands of Gian van Veen and Jermaine Wattimena respectively.
In the afternoon session, Kim Huybrechts’ 6-0 victory over Finn Behrens was the pick of the bunch as he produced one of the performances of the day, averaging just shy of 105 and landing a 164 checkout on his way to victory.
The Belgian will now take on Dutch superstar Michael van Gerwen for a place in the last 16 on Sunday evening.
Scott Williams came through a thoroughly entertaining clash with Wessel Nijman, despite a bizarre last leg which seemingly saw him attempt to take out 60 with double five and the bullseye.
It mattered not in the end, as he closed out a 6-4 victory to set up a showdown against Josh Rock in one of the pick of the second round ties.
Elsewhere, Cam Crabtree edged past Luke Woodhouse in a last-leg decider, Cameron Menzies continued his fine form with a 6-4 win over Kevin Doets, while Niels Zonneveld defied a 100 average from Daryl Gurney to celebrate a 6-3 victory.
There were also wins for Mickey Mansell, Madars Razma and Ryan Joyce, who overcame Ritchie Edhouse, Robert Grundy and Andras Borbely in their respective first round ties.
The 2025 German Darts Grand Prix continues with another double session in Munich on Sunday, as the seeded players prepare to enter the fray.
Former World Champions Rob Cross and Michael Smith headline the afternoon session as they face Pietreczko and Ratajski respectively, whilst the likes of Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and Luke Littler will be amongst those in action in the evening.
Live coverage from the German Darts Grand Prix will be streamed on DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and through the DAZN Darts channel on Pluto TV.
Coverage will also be broadcast on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers’ worldwide.
2025 Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Grand Prix
Saturday April 19
First Round
Afternoon Session
Ryan Joyce 6-1 Andras Borbely
Mickey Mansell 6-4 Ritchie Edhouse
Madars Razma 6-3 Robert Grundy
Cam Crabtree 6-5 Luke Woodhouse
Niels Zonneveld 6-3 Daryl Gurney
Scott Williams 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Kim Huybrechts 6-0 Finn Behrens
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Kevin Doets
Evening Session
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-1 Adam Paxton
Gian van Veen 6-2 Rene Eidams
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Mensur Suljovic
Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 Michael Rosenauer
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Michael Unterbuchner
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-1 Andy Boulton
Martin Schindler 6-3 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Mike De Decker 6-3 Johan Engstrom
Sunday April 20
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Danny Noppert v Madars Razma
Damon Heta v Ryan Joyce
Andrew Gilding v Gian Van Veen
Ryan Searle v Cameron Menzies
Josh Rock v Scott Williams
Rob Cross v Ricardo Pietreczko
Michael Smith v Krzysztof Ratajski
Joe Cullen v Mickey Mansell
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
James Wade v Niels Zonneveld
Gerwyn Price v Raymond van Barneveld
Dave Chisnall v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Michael van Gerwen v Kim Huybrechts
Luke Littler v Cam Crabtree
Peter Wright v Mike De Decker
Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
Ross Smith v Jermaine Wattimena
——ENDS——
Images: PDC
