The PDC Europe Super League 2026 Round of 16 delivered breathtaking drama, highlighted by a monumental upset: fan favorite Jaimy van de Weerd, widely tipped for the title, was surprisingly eliminated 4:6 by Tim Scholz. While one powerhouse fell, darts legend Dragutin Horvat continued his incredible run, extending his streak of reaching at least the quarter-finals every year since 2016. Paul Krohne also secured his spot, setting up a thrilling clash with Horvat. With the field narrowed to eight, the stage is now set for an electrifying Final Day in Hildesheim this Friday, where the coveted ticket to the Darts World Championship will be decided.
Shockwaves in the Round of 16: Favorites Fall
Van de Weerd’s Early Exit Rocks the Tournament
The biggest surprise of the evening saw Jaimy van de Weerd, considered a strong contender for the Super League title, crash out in his opening knockout match. He fell to Tim Scholz in a closely contested 4:6 battle. Van de Weerd initially struggled to find his rhythm but managed to level the score and even took a 2:1 lead with a superb 116 checkout. However, Scholz responded fiercely, including an 11-dart leg, to establish a 4:2 advantage. Although van de Weerd showed resilience to claw back to 4:4, his scoring power dwindled in the crucial final legs, allowing Scholz to seal a memorable victory with solid 18 and 16-dart legs.
Legends and Challengers Advance
Another significant match saw René Eidams, a former Super League champion, demonstrate his strong form from the group stage. He secured a convincing 6:3 victory against Austria’s Patrick Reisenegger, a win that also served as sweet revenge for a previous defeat in a Next-Gen event this season. Eidams quickly found his stride, reeling off legs in 14, 15, 15, and 15 darts to take a commanding 4:1 lead, showcasing impressive checkouts of 64, 98, and 109.
Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be a Super League final day without Dragutin Horvat. The two-time champion from Kassel extended his remarkable record, securing a 6:2 win over Carsten Hoffmann to reach the last eight. Since his first triumph in 2016, Horvat has consistently made it to at least the quarter-finals every single year – a truly astonishing achievement. He quickly turned the tide after Hoffmann’s initial lead, securing crucial legs with 14 and 13 darts and an 82-point checkout.
The audience in Hall 39 witnessed a tense encounter between Paul Krohne and Mika Donnevert, with the favored Krohne ultimately prevailing 6:4. Donnevert started strong, but Krohne fought back with two crucial breaks, including impressive checkouts of 64 and 67, to take a 4:2 lead. Despite Donnevert’s efforts to level the score again with a 64-finish, Krohne held his nerve, notably with a 104 checkout to avert a potential deciding leg.
Other Key Results from the Round of 16
The evening also featured several other compelling matches:
- Lenny Schlüter delivered a dominant performance, securing a 6:2 victory against Kevin Jußen, who had surprisingly topped his preliminary group. Schlüter quickly established a 4:0 lead, showing strong finishing.
- Jan Schmidt, nicknamed “Lightning,” lived up to his favorite status with a commanding 6:1 win over Lukas Nußbaum. Schmidt faced minimal resistance, advancing comfortably to the final day.
- Florian Preis ended the run of René Kern, the last remaining playoff winner, with a 6:3 win. Kern, like Nußbaum, couldn’t replicate his strong form from previous days, allowing Preis to control the match.
- Marcel Hausotter, the only player to emerge from the group stage undefeated, continued his flawless run. He defeated Patrick Tringler 6:3. Hausotter’s victory included a spectacular 142 checkout and effectively ended the tournament for the last Austrian player.
The Road Ahead: PDC Europe Super League 2026 Final Day
The excitement culminates this Friday, November 13, 2026, starting at 8:00 PM CET (Central European Time). The remaining eight players will battle it out in Hildesheim for the ultimate prize: a spot at the prestigious Darts World Championship.
Quarter-Finals Matchups:
- René Eidams vs. Tim Scholz
- Dragutin Horvat vs. Paul Krohne
- Lenny Schlüter vs. Jan Schmidt
- Florian Preis vs. Marcel Hausotter
The format for the final day is intense:
- Quarter-finals: Best of 11 Legs
- Semi-finals: Best of 13 Legs
- Final: Best of 15 Legs
With such high stakes and a field of talented players, the Final Day promises to be a thrilling showcase of darts, determining who will earn their place on the biggest stage in darts.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
