The European Darts Open in Leverkusen kicked off with a bang, delivering a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected victories. The afternoon session saw incredible comebacks, most notably from Jan Schmidt, who clawed his way back from a 1-5 deficit to secure a sensational win. Dragutin Horvat also celebrated a long-awaited triumph on the European Tour. While some debutants and hopefuls faced early exits, the opening round proved that anything can happen on the dartboard, promising an exciting tournament ahead.
Unbelievable Comeback for Jan Schmidt
The standout story of the afternoon belonged to Germany’s Jan Schmidt, who clinched his first-ever victory on the European Tour in dramatic fashion. Nicknamed “Lightning,” Schmidt faced Scotland’s Cameron Menzies and found himself in a seemingly insurmountable hole, trailing 1-5. Menzies had started strong, securing a quick 3-0 lead with impressive 16, 14, and another 16-dart legs. He extended his lead to 4-0 and then, despite Schmidt hitting a double 2, Menzies responded with a 12-dart leg to make it 5-1. The match appeared all but over.
However, the “Next Gen Champion” Schmidt had other plans. He ignited an astonishing turnaround, winning five consecutive legs to snatch the match 6-5. Menzies had a match dart on D12 during Schmidt’s comeback but couldn’t convert. Schmidt then sent the game into a deciding leg with a 15-dart finish, even starting with six perfect darts. In the nail-biting decider, the German held his nerve, hitting a 16-dart leg from the front and sealing his victory on double 8 with his first match dart. A truly remarkable performance that secured his spot in Saturday’s second round.
Horvat’s Return to Form
Another German player, Dragutin Horvat, also celebrated a significant win, marking his first European Tour victory since 2023 in Munich. The two-time Super League champion defeated Belgium’s Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-2. Vandenbogaerde struggled throughout the match, averaging a low 75 and hitting only 10% of his doubles, which made it easier for Horvat to capitalize on his chances. Horvat, known as “Braco,” secured an early 3-0 lead, including a 96 checkout and two 19-dart legs. Although Vandenbogaerde managed to get on the scoreboard, Horvat maintained control, finishing with an 88 checkout and a 25-dart leg to go 5-1 up. Vandenbogaerde grabbed one more leg before Horvat closed out the match on tops for a well-deserved win.
Mixed Fortunes for German Hopes and Debutants
Not all Germans had a victorious afternoon. Lukas Wenig faced Bradley Brooks and, despite the potential for a closer game, suffered a 2-6 defeat. Wenig, known as “Luu,” struggled to find his rhythm, with both his scoring and double-hitting letting him down. He managed to keep the game level at 2-2 before Brooks pulled away with two 16-dart legs. Wenig narrowly missed crucial checkouts of 130, 64, and 68 points, allowing Brooks, nicknamed “Bamm Bamm,” to secure the remaining legs and advance.
Meanwhile, Jaimy van de Weerd made his European Tour debut but couldn’t overcome the challenge of Dirk van Duijvenbode, losing 3-6. “The Titan” van Duijvenbode quickly established a 2-0 lead. Van de Weerd showed fighting spirit, preventing a whitewash with a 13-dart leg and later winning two more legs to make the score 3-5, briefly making the match exciting. However, after narrowly missing a 122 bullseye finish, van Duijvenbode sealed his victory with a 106 checkout.
Other Notable Afternoon Matches
- Rob Owen narrowly defeated Andrew Gilding 6-5 in a tight contest. Owen, from Wales, showcased impressive form, including eight perfect darts at one point and closing out the last two legs with a 12-dart finish and a 102 checkout to win.
- Mickey Mansell, “The Clonoe Cyclone,” had a straightforward 6-1 victory over Michal Smejda, who struggled with an average below 80 points.
- Among the debutants, Mio Varila (PDCNB Qualifier) had a tough start, losing 1-6 to Ryan Joyce with a modest 72 average.
- Rhys Griffin put up a more competitive fight but ultimately lost to Karel Sedlacek 5-6, failing to convert his match darts, which allowed “Evil Charlie” Sedlacek to progress.
Tournament Structure and Prize Money
The European Darts Open features a substantial prize fund, with players competing for a total of £230,000. The winner will take home a grand prize of £35,000.
Prize Money Breakdown:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000 each
- Quarter-Finalists: £8,000 each
- Last 16: £5,000 each
- Last 32 (2nd Round): £3,500 each
- Last 64 (1st Round): £2,000 each
It’s important to note that for the 32 pre-qualified players (via PDC Order of Merit and Pro Tour Order of Merit), their prize money only counts towards their respective ranking lists if they win their opening match. If they lose, they still receive the prize money, but it does not contribute to their PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, or Pro Tour Order of Merit rankings.
Evening Session Preview
The European Darts Open continues with the evening session, featuring eight more first-round matches to complete the opening day. Fans can look forward to more exciting darts action as players battle for a spot in Saturday’s second round.
Evening Session Matches (Friday, July 10, 2026, from 19:00 CEST):
- Kim Huybrechts vs. Samuel Price
- Daryl Gurney vs. Maik Kuivenhoven
- William O’Connor vs. Sebastian Bialecki
- Rob Cross vs. Max Hopp
- Joe Cullen vs. Charlie Manby
- Kevin Doets vs. Dominik Grüllich
- Niko Springer vs. Darius Labanauskas
- Niels Zonneveld vs. Daniel Klose
The European Darts Open promises more thrilling moments as the tournament progresses, with top players and rising stars all vying for the coveted title.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
