The penultimate European Tour event of the year, the Swiss Darts Trophy, has exploded into action in Basel, delivering a captivating first day filled with both expected victories and surprising exits. While fan favorites Niko Springer and Mensur Suljovic comfortably secured their spots in the second round, alongside strong performances from Karel Sedlacek, Cristo Reyes, and Rob Cross, the biggest shock came with the early elimination of former major champion Joe Cullen. Get ready for a tournament where every dart counts!
First Round Highlights: Who Advanced and Who Fell?
Niko Springer’s Gritty Victory
Niko Springer faced Roman Wellinger, securing a 6-1 victory despite not being at his best. The “Meenzer Bub” managed to win crucial legs, including a 94-checkout to seal the match, even with a modest 77 average. Wellinger missed opportunities, allowing Springer to capitalize.
Mensur Suljovic Books His Spot
Austrian veteran Mensur Suljovic, known as “The Gentle,” also advanced to the second round. He defeated György Jehirszki 6-3. While Jehirszki started strong, taking the first leg, Suljovic found his rhythm, securing two breaks of throw to build a comfortable lead and close out the match.
Bradley Brooks’ Stunning Comeback
One of the most impressive performances came from Bradley Brooks, who produced a 101 average to beat Niels Zonneveld 6-4. Zonneveld initially led 4-2, but four missed checkouts proved costly, allowing Brooks to storm back with two 14-dart legs to snatch the victory.
Joe Cullen’s Season of Struggle Continues
For “The Rockstar” Joe Cullen, his difficult season hit another low point. He was eliminated after a 5-6 loss to Tom Bissell. Cullen’s 84 average simply wasn’t enough, with Bissell sinking D16 in the deciding leg, leaving Cullen languishing at 33rd in the European Championship Race.
Crucial Win for Cristo Reyes
Cristo Reyes secured a vital 6-4 victory against Cameron Menzies in his bid for European Championship qualification. Despite Menzies taking an early 3-1 lead, Reyes fought back to level the scores and then capitalized on four missed doubles from his opponent in the crucial final stages.
Rob Cross Dominates with a Century Average
Former World Champion Rob Cross showcased exceptional form, delivering a 106 average in his 6-3 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde. The match was tight at 3-3, but “Voltage” then unleashed a dominant run, closing out the game with legs in 15, 13, and 11 darts.
Other Notable Victories:
- William O’Connor delivered a commanding 6-1 win against Jani Haavisto, showing complete control throughout the match.
- In an Eastern European clash, Karel Sedlacek, “Evil Charlie,” defeated Sebastian Bialecki 6-4. Sedlacek impressed with a 100 average and a fantastic 67% checkout rate.
What’s Next at the Swiss Darts Trophy?
The first round will conclude with eight more exciting matches in the evening session on Friday, October 9th, 2026:
- Andrew Gilding vs. Stefan Bellmont
- Jeffrey de Graaf vs. Sietse Lap
- Dave Chisnall vs. Alan Soutar
- Raymond van Barneveld vs. Maik Kuivenhoven
- Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Bruno Stöckli
- Michael Smith vs. Rob Owen
- Damon Heta vs. Alex Fehlmann
- Kevin Doets vs. Nick Kenny
Prize Money at Stake:
The Swiss Darts Trophy boasts a total prize fund of £230,000, with the winner taking home a substantial £35,000. The breakdown is as follows:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000
- Quarter-Finalists: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Second Round: £3,500
- First Round: £2,000
Important Note on Rankings:
For the 32 pre-qualified players (from the PDC Order of Merit and Pro Tour Order of Merit), prize money only counts towards the main PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, and Pro Tour Order of Merit if they win their opening match. Players who lose their first match still receive the prize money, but it does not contribute to these crucial ranking tables.
How to Follow the Action:
Fans worldwide can follow the live scores and updates from the Swiss Darts Trophy through official PDC channels and darts news websites to catch every dart of this pivotal European Tour event.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
