Northern Ireland’s World Cup champion Daryl Gurney enjoyed a triumphant return to the land of that historic victory, seeing off Martin Lukeman in Kiel on the opening night of the 2025 Baltic Sea Darts Open with a composed and clinical display.
The evening session at the Wunderino Arena began with a bang – or at least the sound of a Dutchman walloping in trebles for fun. Dirk van Duijvenbode smashed through the 105 average mark as he dismantled Ryan Meikle in ruthless fashion. Cut-throat stuff from the Titan, who brought an abrupt end to The Barber’s trim European adventure.
Home fans had to wait until session two of the tournament to finally cheer a winner – but at least they were guaranteed one. Niko Springer faced compatriot Kevin Troppmann, so unless there was a freak power cut and the game abandoned at 5–5, a German was going through. It turned out to be Springer, who had the extra spring in his step (pun absolutely intended).
Limerick’s Willie O’Connor also scraped through – just about – in a last-leg decider against Tytus Kanik. The Irishman won the bull backstage, and in a match where neither player brought their A-game, the pattern was set early: whoever threw first, held throw. Repeat that ten times, and you’ve got your winner. The Magpie hits six first – job done.
Raymond van Barneveld – a Dutch icon, multiple world champion, and full-time nostalgia machine – was an early casualty, losing 6–4 to Andy Baetens. Not exactly an upset – this one always felt like a coin toss, and it landed firmly on Belgium. Six of the first seven legs were won against the throw, and while Barney wasn’t particularly flat, Baetens was just that bit sharper. His darts were in tune; Barney’s, a bit more karaoke.
Reigning World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker gave the Belgian fans something else to shout about, cruising past Mensur Suljović with minimal fuss. Then the volume in Kiel truly lifted as Germany’s number two, Ricardo Pietreczko, comfortably saw off Polish youngster Sebastian Białecki – both matches finishing 6–2, both wins feeling inevitable from about leg three.
And finally, Justin Hood brought his happy little feet over to Kiel and put on a show. After falling 2–0 behind to Joe Cullen, Hood dug in, found some rhythm, and turned the match around in thoroughly entertaining fashion. A quality scalp, a crowd-pleasing performance, and now a meeting with Josh Rock on the horizon. No pressure, then.
Evening Session
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Ryan Meikle (winner to play Chris Dobey)
Niko Springer 6-2 Kevin Troppmann (winner to play Stephen Bunting)
William O’Connor 6-5 Tytus Kanik (winner to play Gerwyn Price)
Andy Baetens 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld (winner to play Rob Cross)
Daryl Gurney 6-4 Martin Lukeman (winner to play Dave Chisnall)
Mike De Decker 6-2 Mensur Suljovic (winner to play Danny Noppert)
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 Sebastian Bialecki (winner to play Nathan Aspinall)
Justin Hood 6-3 Joe Cullen (winner to play Josh Rock)
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC Europe
