The 2026 European Q-School was a brutal test, offering ten coveted spots on the professional darts tour. While Jimmy van Schie had already secured his place, the final day saw intense battles. Jeffrey de Zwaan, known as ‘Black Cobra,’ made a dominant return, earning his tour card directly. Meanwhile, several familiar faces, including Adam Gawlas, Jurjen van der Velde, and Chris Landman, fought their way back onto the tour through the Order of Merit, overcoming fierce competition and the heartbreak of others like Boris Krcmar. This intense qualification process saw former stars reclaim their spots and new talents emerge, proving that the path to professional darts remains one of the sport’s most challenging gauntlets.
The Unforgiving Gauntlet of Q-School
European Q-School promised more opportunities this year, but make no mistake: the battleground in Kalkar was as merciless as ever. It was a true test of nerve and skill, where ten precious tour cards were up for grabs. For most, it meant fighting tooth and nail through rounds, accumulating points, and hoping the mathematics would fall in their favour. But for a select few, it came down to a single, brutal moment.
Direct Qualification: One Shot at Glory
While Jimmy van Schie had already secured his spot on the final morning – a testament to his consistent performance throughout the week – others faced a winner-takes-all scenario. The semi-finals were particularly agonizing, where two players, just one win away from a tour card, found themselves in do-or-die situations with no safety net.
- Heartbreak for Krcmar: Croatian powerhouse Boris Krcmar experienced the cruellest of exits. In a deciding leg, he was narrowly beaten by Dutchman Sietse Lap, shattering his Q-School dream. One dart either way could have rewritten history, but instead, Lap advanced, leaving Krcmar to ponder what might have been.
- The ‘Black Cobra’ Strikes Back: On the other side of the bracket, the narrative was far more decisive. Jeffrey de Zwaan, famously known as ‘The Black Cobra,’ shed any early jitters and struck with undeniable authority. A former World Matchplay semi-finalist and double Players Championship winner, De Zwaan reminded everyone of his elite pedigree. His dominant 6-2 victory over Germany’s Mike Donnevert was not just a win; it was a powerful statement, stamping his passport back into the top tier of professional darts.
The Order of Merit: Redemption for Familiar Faces
Beyond the dramatic direct qualifications, the Order of Merit provided a pathway for several well-known players to reclaim their professional status. This system rewards consistent performance over the entire Q-School week, allowing players to accumulate points even if they don’t win a daily event.
- Adam Gawlas’s Swift Return: Once a World Youth Championship runner-up and UK Open semi-finalist, Adam Gawlas completed a remarkable redemption arc. After a year away from the main tour, his edge was clearly undimmed. A MODUS Super Series title during his exile kept his competitive fire burning, and now the talented Czech is back where he belongs.
- Jurjen van der Velde’s Resurgence: Following a similar path, Jurjen van der Velde, another former tour card holder, spent a year watching from the sidelines. His return to Kalkar was marked by a composed and workmanlike week, accumulating just enough points to pry the door back open to the professional circuit.
- Chris Landman’s Steady Comeback: At 44 years old, Chris Landman, often called ‘The Countryman,’ showed that experience and solid, seasoned darts still prevail. He bounced back at the first attempt, his late-season form proving that his best days are far from over.
The Full List of Tour Card Winners (via Order of Merit)
These players demonstrated exceptional consistency and resilience throughout the grueling Q-School week:
- Jimmy van Schie
- Chris Landman
- Martin Kraft
- Benjamin Pratnemer
- Adam Gawlas
- Jurjen van der Velde
- Alexander Merkx
- Pascal Rupprecht
European Q-School promised opportunity, but it delivered a harsh judgment. For those who emerged, scarred but standing, the real fight on the professional tour now truly begins.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
