It’s destination Germany for the third time this season as Sindelfingen once again played host to the European Darts Grand Prix. And, in typically unpredictable fashion, several results deviated markedly from what many fans had anticipated – multiple PDC major winner, Rob Cross being the biggest star-attraction casualty.
The Glaspalast Arena faithful did not have to wait long for their first surprise scoreline, as the tournament’s curtain-raiser delivered a genuine upset.
Appearing in his maiden Euro Tour event, Valters Melderis stunned Czech number one Karel Sedlacek, edging a dramatic last-leg thriller to send Evil Charlie packing. Having reached his second Players Championship semi-final of the season just days earlier in Wigan, Sedlacek arrived in formidable form and was a heavy favourite for this encounter.
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Yet after a gruelling, attritional slugfest, it was the Latvian who, despite generating fewer opportunities on the outer ring, demonstrated superior clinical efficiency. Awaiting Melderis now is Premier League leader Jonny Clayton – and should he somehow dispatch The Ferret, he will be drifting into dreamland.
No player on the planet has accumulated more titles than Wessel Nijman this year. The prodigious Dutchman already boasts three Players Championship crowns and a Euro Tour triumph in 2026, looking every inch a burgeoning contender for forthcoming major honours. Up against former tournament winner Ian White – a man steeped in continental experience – Nijman ruthlessly capitalised on the Stoke veteran’s profligacy on doubles to set up a tantalising Saturday showdown with Ryan Searle.
Niels Zonnerveld’s recent scintillating Euro Tour run came to an abrupt and premature halt, ousted early by the ever-improving Keane Barry. In his previous three outings, Triple Z had progressed to the final session, including back-to-back semi-final appearances. That impressive sequence was emphatically curtailed as Dynamite surged from 3-3, reeling off a trio of consecutive legs to seal victory. The Irishman’s reward is an all Emerald Isle encounter with Josh Rock.
Always a perilous and stealth-like opponent, Krzysztof Ratajski brushed aside home nation qualifier Michael Hurtz. The 6-3 scoreline somewhat flatters the contest, largely due to the Polish Eagle spurning multiple opportunities to close it out earlier. Having stormed into a 3-0 lead, Ratajski squandered chances to wrap proceedings up sooner, but ultimately, the manner of victory is immaterial. He now sets his sights on 2024 Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker.
Another who has been quietly impressive this season is Kevin Doets, and the Dutchman will be eager to sustain that upward trajectory following a well-earned victory over compatriot Jurjen van der Velde. Mirroring the pattern of the preceding contest, Hawkeye surged into a commanding 3-0 lead before sealing the win with slightly less ferocity thereafter. Fresh from a recent semi-final run in Munich – his deepest Euro Tour venture to date – Doets must now overcome fellow Dutchman and stablemate Jermaine Wattimena if he is to replicate that feat.
Andrew Gilding is another who has markedly elevated his level in recent weeks, reaching the quarter-finals in the last Euro Tour event and embarking on a semi-final jaunt in Wigan just days ago. Once again, Goldfinger underlined his enduring quality with a composed display to dispatch home qualifier Paul Krohne. The 55-year-old Englishman enjoyed a strong run in Sindelfingen last year, ultimately denied the title by Gary Anderson. Another deep progression would be most welcome, although Chris Dobey stands firmly in his path.
Ireland’s Mickey Mansell continues to prove a persistent thorn in the side of former PDC World Champions, with his latest exploits seeing Rob Cross removed from the equation courtesy of a devastating performance. Michael Smith has previously been on the receiving end, and now another Ally Pally conqueror felt the weight of Mansell’s resurgence. The Clonoe Cyclone opted for a last-minute dart switch, a decision that paid immediate dividends as he registered his first Euro Tour ton-plus average in three years. For Voltage, aspirations of reaching the World Matchplay are beginning to fade. Mansell now faces yet another world champion – Stephen Bunting, who lifted his crown at Lakeside.
Bringing the afternoon session to a close and securing his place in round two was a familiar name in Dave Chisnall. The St Helens thrower, an eight-time Euro Tour champion, most recently tasted success two years ago in Belgium. Against Czech representative Petr Krivka, it was a contest Chisnall was widely expected to navigate – and despite the plucky Eastern European qualifier making a good fist of things – the man in yellow got over the line, setting up a compelling clash with Gerwyn Price.
That concludes the opening session of this year’s European Darts Grand Prix, with half of Saturday’s seeded contingent now fully aware of their first opponents.
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The evening session promises further intrigue, featuring a host of illustrious names including former champions Kim Huybrechts and Peter Wright. Add major winners such as Joe Cullen, Raymond van Barneveld and Daryl Gurney into the equation, and it shapes up as a high-calibre, compelling line-up primed to deliver.
2026 EUROPEAN DARTS GRAND PRIX (ET5)
Sindelfingen, Germany (17-19 April)
Round One: Friday Afternoon Session
Valters Melderis 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Ian White
Keane Barry 6-3 Niels Zonneveld
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Michael Hurtz
Kevin Doets 6-4 Jurjen van der Velde
Andrew Gilding 6-3 Paul Krohne
Mickey Mansell 6-2 Rob Cross
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Petr Krivka
Round One: Friday Evening Session
William O’Connor v Michael Unterbuchner
Joe Cullen v Maik Kuivenhoven
Peter Wright v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Cameron Menzies v Raymond van Barneveld
Damon Heta v Madars Razma
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Kim Huybrechts
Daryl Gurney v Oskar Lukasiak
Niko Springer v Robin Masino
Round Two: Saturday Afternoon Session
Mike De Decker v Krzysztof Ratajski
Jermaine Wattimena v Kevin Doets
Ryan Searle v Wessel Nijman
Danny Noppert v Gurney/Lukasiak
Chris Dobey v Andrew Gilding
Gary Anderson v Springer/Masino
Stephen Bunting v Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock v Keane Barry
Round Two: Saturday Evening Session
Ross Smith v Menzies/Van Barneveld
Gerwyn Price v Dave Chisnall
Nathan Aspinall v Wright/De Zwaan
James Wade v Van Duijvenbode/Huybrechts
Gian van Veen v Cullen/Kuivenhoven
Michael van Gerwen v O’Connor/Unterbuchner
Martin Schindler v Heta/Razma
Jonny Clayton v Valters Melderis
—–ENDS—–
Images: Jenny Segers / PDC Europe
