The opening night of the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam delivered an incredible upset as Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney staged a stunning comeback to defeat hometown hero and six-time champion Michael van Gerwen (MVG). Gurney snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after MVG dramatically missed six match darts, securing a thrilling 6-5 win. Other highlights from Thursday evening included strong performances from Dutch players Gian van Veen and Dirk van Duijvenbode, along with key victories for Luke Humphries, Josh Rock, Ryan Searle, Ross Smith, and Karel Sedlacek.
Gurney’s Epic Comeback Shocks Amsterdam Crowd
The £450,000 event kicked off with eight first-round matches at AFAS Live, but all eyes were on the highly anticipated clash between darts legend Michael van Gerwen and Daryl Gurney. What unfolded was a match for the ages, with Gurney defying the odds and the roaring home crowd.
- Gurney started incredibly strong, racing to an early 3-0 lead with legs of 11 and 13 darts, capped by a sensational 170 checkout.
- However, MVG, known for his resilience, responded with a dominant five-leg burst to take control at 5-3, seemingly on the verge of victory.
- The drama peaked in the tenth leg when Van Gerwen had a staggering six match darts to close out the game but failed to convert any.
- Capitalizing on MVG’s misses, Gurney clawed his way back, levelling the score at 5-5 and forcing a deciding leg.
- In a thrilling climax, Gurney completed his unlikely comeback, securing the decider and a memorable 6-5 victory.
“That’s been a long time coming… I cannot remember the last time I won a game like that on the big stage, so I’m very pleased with myself,” Gurney shared, reflecting on his hard-fought win. “I’ve been through some tough times over the last couple of months, so to get over the finish line against Michael, in Amsterdam – I’m very pleased with myself.”
Home Hopes and Other Thrillers
While MVG’s exit was a shock, other Dutch players found success, much to the delight of the Amsterdam faithful.
Dutch Talent Shines
- Gian van Veen made a triumphant return to the Amsterdam stage, delivering an emphatic 6-2 win over an underperforming Chris Dobey. Van Veen acknowledged the crucial role of the crowd: “Chris and I were not playing at our best, but the crowd got me through that tonight… I want to thank them all for their support tonight.”
- Dirk van Duijvenbode, the 2022 runner-up, showcased incredible fighting spirit. He recovered from a 4-1 deficit against Viktor Tingstrom, winning five successive legs and hitting six 180s to claim a stunning 6-4 victory. He will now face Luke Humphries.
Key Victories and Standout Performances
- Luke Humphries began his quest for a first World Series of Darts Finals title with a solid 6-4 win over Jermaine Wattimena, highlighted by a delightful 132 checkout to secure a crucial break of throw.
- In arguably the highest-profile contest of the evening, Josh Rock battled to a hard-fought 6-5 win against Stephen Bunting. Rock overturned a 5-3 deficit, surviving a match dart from Bunting at the bullseye before closing out the decider.
- Ryan Searle marked his World Series of Darts Finals debut with a clinical 6-2 success against Rob Cross, converting an impressive 66% of his attempts at double.
- Former European Champion Ross Smith delivered a dominant performance, ending the hopes of local boy Kevin Doets with an average of almost 103 in a resounding 6-3 victory.
- Czech veteran Karel Sedlacek also impressed, averaging 99.37 in a high-quality 6-4 win against New Zealand’s Ben Robb, whose perfect performance on the outer ring wasn’t enough.
Looking Ahead to More Darts Action
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals promises more excitement as the tournament continues. Friday evening will see eight more first-round matches, featuring reigning World Champion Luke Littler, who kicks off his campaign for yet another title against home favourite Danny Noppert. Former champions Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, and James Wade are also set to compete.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
