The PDC Europe Super League group stage has concluded, setting the stage for an explosive knockout round. René Eidams, Paul Krohne, and Kevin Jußen dominated their respective groups, securing top seeds. Marcel Hausotter stands out as the only player to finish the group stage completely undefeated, a remarkable feat. Meanwhile, Mika Donnevert and Patrick Tringler fought hard on the final day to clinch their spots in the Last 16, while hopefuls like Liam Maendl-Lawrance and Finn Behrens saw their tournament journeys end. The stage is now set for thrilling head-to-head battles as the competition intensifies.
Group A: The Cube and Lightning Strike Early
Group A saw its knockout qualifiers decided relatively early, with four players securing their spots halfway through Wednesday’s matches. René Eidams, known as “The Cube,” continued his strong form from the previous day, winning the direct duel against Jan Schmidt to claim the group victory. Jan Schmidt, or “Lightning,” also maintained his impressive performance, ensuring his progression to the knockout stage.
- René Eidams: Secured group victory with consistent play, including a 6-3 win over Jan Schmidt.
- Jan Schmidt: Strong showing, ensuring a high seed for the knockouts.
- Mika Donnevert: Started the day with three crucial wins, including against direct rivals, to secure third place.
- Florian Preis: Despite not being in top form, his early lead and a critical win against René Damm, coupled with a notable 90+ average against Schmidt, ensured his qualification.
Unfortunately, René Damm and Kimi Seemann were eliminated. Damm struggled against direct competition, while Seemann never truly found his rhythm in the tournament.
Group B: Jußen’s Dominance and Tringler’s Breakthrough
Group B delivered intense drama, particularly with Patrick Tringler’s nervy victory over Deniz Baudis, broadcast live. This win marked Tringler’s first-ever entry into the Super League Last 16.
- Kevin Jußen: Had an exceptional day, including a stunning 99-average in a 6-0 sweep against Dragutin Horvat, propelling him to the top of the group and securing the overall group win. Jußen, who only entered the competition due to Daniel Klose’s World Championship qualification, proved to be a formidable force.
- Jaimy van de Weerd: Enjoyed a successful debut, finishing second in the group and securing his place in the knockout bracket.
- Dragutin Horvat: The Super League veteran comfortably advanced to the knockout rounds, conserving energy for the battles ahead.
- Patrick Tringler: Clinched his knockout spot with a crucial win, demonstrating resilience under pressure.
Deniz Baudis and Christian Gödl faced elimination. Baudis, after a solid first day, struggled with his doubles on the second, failing to win a single match. Gödl’s defeat against fellow countryman Tringler sealed his fate.
Group C: Krohne’s Unchallenged Reign in the ‘Group of Death’
Group C lived up to its reputation as the “group of death,” with fierce competition for every spot except the top. Paul Krohne, however, enjoyed a remarkably relaxed day, dominating his matches and remaining undefeated. This performance further solidified his status as a top favorite, highlighted by a 96-average and two 132 checkouts against Lenny Schlüter.
The real battle unfolded for positions two through five, where players often found themselves tied on points. Ultimately, Lenny Schlüter, René Kern, and Tim Scholz emerged victorious from this intense struggle, booking their tickets to the next round. Kern, in particular, impressed with an 87-average, placing him among the statistical elite, and even narrowly missed a 9-darter on D12.
Finn Behrens suffered a catastrophic second day, losing every match and plummeting from second place to elimination. Despite having chances in deciding legs against Hohnstedt and Scholz, he couldn’t convert them. Kilian Hohnstedt was also eliminated but managed to salvage some confidence with a 6-5 win over Behrens and a respectable 78-average.
Group D: Hausotter’s Perfect Record and Clutch Wins
Marcel Hausotter achieved a unique milestone in the Super League, becoming the only player to win all 10 of his group matches. The Berliner showcased incredible consistency and composure, even recovering from a 0-4 deficit against Luca Wolff and winning a decider against Lukas Nußbaum.
- Marcel Hausotter: Finished with a flawless 10-0 record, demonstrating exceptional skill and mental toughness.
- Carsten Hoffmann: The German Champion and WDF World Championship participant secured a comfortable second place, only losing to Hausotter.
- Patrick Reisenegger: The Austrian demonstrated nerves of steel, securing two crucial 6-5 victories in deciding legs against Lukas Nußbaum and Luca Wolff, which proved vital for his progression to the Last 16.
- Lukas Nußbaum: Benefited from his strong performance on the first day and an early win on the second against Liam Maendl-Lawrance, allowing him to absorb subsequent defeats and qualify.
Luca Wolff and Liam Maendl-Lawrance were unfortunately eliminated. Wolff experienced bad luck with timing, losing twice in deciding legs and famously squandering a 4-0 lead against Hausotter. Maendl-Lawrance, despite high hopes, couldn’t find the necessary improvement in his game.
The Road Ahead: PDC Europe Super League Knockout Stage
The group stage drama has set the stage for an electrifying knockout phase, beginning on Thursday. The remaining players will battle it out in a Best of 11 Legs format, aiming for glory in the PDC Europe Super League 2026. Expect high-stakes matches and thrilling darting action as champions are forged.
Last 16 Matchups:
- René Eidams vs. Patrick Reisenegger
- Jaimy van de Weerd vs. Lenny Schlüter
- Carsten Hoffmann vs. Dragutin Horvat
- Mika Donnevert vs. Paul Krohne
- Kevin Jußen vs. Tim Scholz
- Jan Schmidt vs. Lukas Nußbaum
- René Kern vs. Florian Preis
- Patrick Tringler vs. Marcel Hausotter
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
