Smith Stars in Euro Tour Qualifiers

At long last, Bully Boy Michael Smith found a reason to exhale and even manage a smile. The once irrepressible, now battle-scarred former World Champion – finally unearthed a shard of momentum amid what has too often resembled a protracted internal skirmish. On a brisk Wednesday afternoon in Wigan – in relatively proximity to home – the St Helens sharpshooter conquered qualification. Both Euro Tour tickets secured. Belgium and Germany beckon.

For a player whose post-World Championship triumph has been punctuated by physical fragility and fluctuating form, this was not insignificant. Ever since that euphoric Alexandra Palace coronation, Smith’s journey has felt less like sustained ascent and more like stubborn rehabilitation. Injuries intruded. Rhythm deserted him. Confidence flickered. The tungsten that once flew with incandescent inevitability began to hesitate.

And yet, in Robin Park, something realigned. Having harvested just two victories across the opening quartet of Players Championship events, bypassed the season’s initial Euro Tour expeditions and suffered an early dismissal in the Winmau World Masters preliminaries, the 35-year-old recalibrated with commendable resolve. The Belgian Darts Open and the German Darts Grand Prix will now feature his name – and perhaps, a resurgent edge.

The afternoon itself bore the unmistakable stamp of English ascendancy. Nearly half of the available berths were annexed by home representatives, a red-and-white procession of ambition and application. Only one other competitor managed the enviable double qualification: Sebastian Bialecki. The Polish prodigy, fresh from a quarter-final surge 24 hours earlier, translated momentum into mobility, punching his passport for both Wieze and Munich with assured precision.

Elsewhere, 2024 Ally Pally semi-finalist Scott Williams and former European Champion Ritchie Edhouse added further English embellishment, each clinching a solitary ticket. Ryan Meikle, Thomas Lovely, James Hurrell, Adam Lipscombe and Tyler Thorpe ensured Lancashire’s tungsten theatre echoed with domestic delight.

Among the more redemptive narratives was Sietse Lap. After three successive first-round eliminations in the season’s embryonic stages, the Dutchman finally pierced the win column before navigating his way into the final ten of the Belgian qualifier. France’s Thibault Tricole will also grace the stage, while Germany’s contingent is bolstered by Lukas Wenig alongside Martin Schindler and Niko Springer.

Czech’s former UK Open semi-finalist, Adam Gawlas sealed his second Euro Tour qualification of the season, and Spain’s sharpshooting veteran Cristo Reyes makes it three having already done the business in Hildesheim. Completing Munich’s roll call, it welcomed Kevin Doets and Brendan Dolan (pictured) among a largely English ensemble.

Another whirlwind chapter concludes. Some depart Lancashire buoyed. Others leave burdened. Such is the unforgiving cadence of professional darts.

EUROPEAN TOUR THREE – QUALIFIER

Belgian Darts Open (20-22 March)

Sebastian Bialecki (POL)

Sietse Lap (NED)

Thibault Tricole (FRA)

Tyler Thorpe (ENG)

Michael Smith (ENG)

Lukas Wenig (GER)

Adam Gawlas (CZE)

Scott Williams (ENG)

Ryan Meikle (ENG)