Darts Drama in Krakow: Big Names Fall, Littler Shines at Poland Darts Open
Day two of the Poland Darts Open in Krakow delivered a thrilling mix of upsets and exceptional performances. German hopes were crushed as Martin Schindler exited, and local favourite Krzysztof Ratajski also fell in a dramatic deciding leg. Darts legends Gary Anderson and James Wade suffered surprising whitewashes, while rising star Luke Littler stole the show with a sensational 114 average, the highest of the day. The stage is now set for an unpredictable final day as many top seeds have been challenged or eliminated.
Early Exits for Home Hopes and German Star
The second day in Krakow saw the departure of the last German player, Martin Schindler, who faced a tough 2-6 defeat against Boris Krcmar. Schindler struggled to find his rhythm, despite briefly challenging. The home crowd’s hopes were also dashed when Polish favourite Krzysztof Ratajski was eliminated in a nail-biting deciding leg against Luke Humphries. Ratajski showed incredible resilience, battling back from deficits of 1-4 and 2-5 to force a decider. However, a crucial misstep in the final leg, where he missed multiple triples, allowed Humphries to break his throw and secure a hard-fought victory.
Littler’s Masterclass and Veteran Woes
Teenage sensation Luke Littler once again proved why he’s “The Nuke,” delivering the performance of the day. He absolutely dominated Mike de Decker, sweeping him aside with a staggering 114 average and a perfect 100% checkout rate. Littler finished three legs in just four visits to the board, giving the Belgian almost no chance.
Meanwhile, two of darts’ most decorated veterans experienced surprising early exits:
- Gary Anderson, “The Flying Scotsman,” struggled against Wessel Nijman, losing 2-6. After winning the first leg, Anderson conceded five consecutive legs, unable to match Nijman’s consistent 103+ average.
- “The Machine,” James Wade, endured a shocking 0-6 whitewash at the hands of Cameron Menzies. Wade’s scoring was subpar, and he missed all four of his crucial checkout darts, leading to a comprehensive defeat.
Thrilling Deciders and Resurgent Stars
Several matches went down to the wire, keeping fans on the edge of their seats:
- Following his Premier League weekly win, Jonny Clayton secured a solid 6-4 victory over Adam Gawlas. “The Ferret” capitalized on a missed check-out from his opponent to break and seal the win.
- In a crucial win for his confidence, Michael Smith, who has recently questioned his career, emerged victorious against Joe Cullen in a truly balanced contest. Smith claimed the decider with an excellent 11-dart leg, including a 96-finish against the throw.
- The Dutch derby between Jermaine Wattimena and Danny Noppert was a high-quality affair, with both players averaging over 100. Wattimena ultimately kept his composure, capitalizing on Noppert’s missed match darts in the decider to clinch a 6-5 win.
Other Notable Performances
The afternoon and evening sessions featured several other impressive displays:
- Josh Rock put on a dominant show, defeating William O’Connor 6-1 with a 103 average. After O’Connor won the opening leg, “Rocky” reeled off six consecutive legs to advance.
- Chris Dobey swiftly dispatched Connor Scutt with a 6-0 whitewash, showcasing efficient darts without needing to hit his top gear.
- Ross Smith also delivered a strong performance, dropping only one leg in his 6-1 victory over Daryl Gurney.
- Despite having better statistics, Darryl Pilgrim lost 3-6 to Nathan Aspinall. A key moment saw Aspinall hit a 124 bull finish while Pilgrim was waiting on a double, highlighting Aspinall’s timely finishing.
- Cristo Reyes demonstrated excellent form, beating Ryan Searle 6-2. “The Spartan” captivated the audience with a 123 checkout early on and a 121 finish to take a commanding 4-2 lead.
- Luke Woodhouse proved too consistent for Callan Rydz, overturning a 1-4 deficit to win 6-4 with a 118 finish in the crucial leg.
- Stephen Bunting secured his spot in the next round with a 6-4 win over Niels Zonneveld, a solid if unspectacular performance.
What’s Next: The Road to the Final
The action continues on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with the highly anticipated knockout stages. Players will battle through the Round of 16, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and the Grand Final, all in one exhilarating day.
Prize Money Breakdown
The Poland Darts Open features a substantial prize fund of £230,000. To ensure their prize money contributes to their respective ranking lists (PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, Pro Tour Order of Merit), players must win their opening match. If they lose their first game, they still receive the prize money, but it does not count towards these rankings.
Here’s how the prize money is distributed:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finals: £10,000
- Quarter-Finals: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32 (Second Round): £3,500
- First Round: £2,000
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
