Sensational scenes unfolded in Sindelfingen on Saturday afternoon as Niko Springer dethroned the reigning, back-to-back European Darts Grand Prix champion Gary Anderson, sending the home faithful into rapturous delirium.
For the past two years, the Flying Scotsman has departed the Glaspalast Arena with silverware firmly in hand. However, the decorated 55-year-old was denied a historic hat-trick, much to the immense delight of the partisan German crowd.
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Earlier on, the overarching narrative of this season’s event continued, with the session’s opening contest producing yet another seeded casualty, as major winner Mike De Decker was dispatched by the ever-dangerous Krzysztof Ratajski.
A touch of contextual nuance is perhaps required regarding this curtain-raiser. De Decker had only been elevated to a second-round starting position courtesy of pre-tournament withdrawals. Coupled with his inconsistent form since capturing the World Grand Prix title eighteen months ago, it was far from a seismic shock that the Polish Eagle prevailed.
While Ratajski may not have soared at his absolute zenith, the Belgian’s sub-90 average and struggles on the doubles – despite fashioning the greater volume of opportunities – ultimately proved decisive. Krzysztof now advances to face another major champion in either Gian van Veen or Joe Cullen, who meet in the evening session.
The Machine Gun, Jermaine Wattimena, emerged victorious in an all-Dutch encounter against Kevin Doets. Given the pair’s recent form, many would have anticipated Hawkeye to overcome his compatriot and stablemate. However, after a fiercely contested battle, it was an impressive Wattimena who deservedly progressed and, barring a potential shock later from home qualifier Michael Unterbuchner, is set for a tantalising clash with fellow countryman Michael van Gerwen.
In the session’s third match, another seed tumbled as Ryan Searle’s aspirations of a maiden Euro Tour title were extinguished by Wessel Nijman – a man who has already tasted continental success this season. Context once again proves illuminating. While Heavy Metal may currently occupy the loftier world ranking, Nijman has been nothing short of scintillating in 2026, amassing three Players Championship titles alongside glory in Göttingen. Searle performed admirably, but Nijman was simply sublime, posting a 104-plus average in a contest he controlled from the outset.
Half an hour later, and Danny Noppert made it three Dutch victories on the spin – albeit by the narrowest of margins – edging past Oskar Lukasiak in a tense last-leg decider. The Swede had secured his maiden Euro Tour win just 24 hours earlier against an out-of-sorts Daryl Gurney and pushed Noppie all the way. Despite operating below his optimal level, The Freeze demonstrated the composure and experience required to grind out the result and will hope to rediscover top gear heading into Sunday’s action.
Hollywood Chris Dobey remains one of the most accomplished players yet to secure a Euro Tour title. Having overcome Andrew Gilding for the second time in the space of a week with a polished and authoritative display, the Newcastle ace edges ever closer to rectifying that anomaly. While the 6-2 scoreline suggests a relatively straightforward victory, the contest hinged on a pivotal moment when Goldfinger, having produced a monstrous 164 checkout, squandered an inviting opportunity to break and reduce the deficit to 4-3. From that juncture onward, Dobey remained composed and unflustered, closing out proceedings with assurance.
Then came the moment the Sindelfingen faithful had been eagerly anticipating, as one of their own, Niko Springer, halted the imperious reign of two-time World Champion and darting icon Gary Anderson. It must be noted that decorated Scot was not at his scintillating best, posting a rare average marginally above 90.
Nevertheless, full credit must be afforded to Meenzur Bub, who delivered a commanding and accomplished performance. With one Euro Tour crown already to his name – courtesy of his Hungarian Darts Trophy triumph last season – Springer now harbours ambitions of adding a second. Standing in his way next, however, is Danny Noppert.
The Bullet, Stephen Bunting, also fired his way into Sunday’s action following an efficient and assured display to dispatch Mickey Mansell. The Irishman had already accounted for one World Champion this weekend in Rob Cross, but was unable to add a Lakeside victor to his list of scalps. Particularly on Premier League duty, the Liverpudlian has developed something of a habit for producing colossal, eye-catching performances without ultimately emerging victorious.
Thankfully for Bunting, on this occasion a highly respectable 93 average coupled with incisive, clinical finishing on the outer ring proved more than sufficient to seal progression, setting up what promises to be a tantalising encounter with the in-form, man-of-the-moment, Wessel Nijman.
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Then, bringing round two to its conclusion, came an Emerald Derby featuring two of the island’s most prodigiously gifted talents. Following a frenetic, high-calibre encounter, it was Josh Rock who emerged victorious, getting the better of Keane Barry and sealing the contest with a magnificent 128 checkout.
It has been something of a fascinating reversal of fortunes for Rocky when juxtaposing his respective campaigns on the Euro Tour and in the Premier League this year. The Northern Irishman began his continental exploits with back-to-back quarter-final appearances yet found himself toiling for points on Thursday nights.
Flip the narrative, and recent weeks have seen early exits in Wieze and Munich contrasted by a sequence of four consecutive Premier League opening-match victories. The Antrim Ace can now briefly repose, feet firmly up, as he awaits the outcome of Ross Smith’s clash with Cameron Menzies, knowing that his next opponent will emerge from that encounter.
The remaining second-round encounters will be concluded in the evening session, leaving a final sixteen all harbouring ambitions of being crowned champion on Sunday.
A constellation of elite tungsten talent will be on display, and following Gary Anderson’s departure, only Michael van Gerwen and Kim Huybrechts remain as former winners of this event. Throw into the equation a formidable ensemble of top-tier operators – including Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Nathan Aspinall – all making their bow in this year’s tournament, the stage is exquisitely set for a truly compelling and high-calibre spectacle.
2026 EUROPEAN DARTS GRAND PRIX (ET5)
Sindelfingen, Germany (17-19 April)
Round Two: Saturday Afternoon Session
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Mike De Decker
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Kevin Doets
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Ryan Searle
Danny Noppert 6-5 Oskar Lukasiak
Chris Dobey 6-2 Andrew Gilding
Niko Springer 6-3 Gary Anderson
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock 6-3 Keane Barry
Round Two: Saturday Evening Session
Ross Smith v Cameron Menzies
Gerwyn Price v Dave Chisnall
Nathan Aspinall v Jeffrey De Zwaan
James Wade v Kim Huybrechts
Gian van Veen v Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen v Michael Unterbuchner
Martin Schindler v Damon Heta
Jonny Clayton v Valters Melderis
Round Three Fixtures (Sunday)
Gian van Veen/Joe Cullen v Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noppert v Niko Springer
James Wade/Kim Huybrechts v Nathan Aspinall/Jeffrey de Zwaan
Josh Rock v Ross Smith/Cameron Menzies
Michael van Gerwen/Michael Unterbuchner v Jermaine Wattimena
Stephen Bunting v Wessel Nijman
Jonny Clayton/Valters Melderis v Martin Schindler/Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price/Dave Chisnall v Chris Dobey
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC Europe
