The second round of the European Darts Trophy delivered a thrilling afternoon of action, highlighted by dramatic finishes and standout performances. German hopeful Lukas Wenig suffered a heartbreaking 5-6 defeat to Jermaine Wattimena, narrowly missing a match dart. Meanwhile, Dutch players enjoyed a perfect run, securing four crucial victories. Damon Heta put on a masterclass with a triple-digit average to comfortably advance, setting the stage for an electrifying evening session.
Wenig’s Near Miss Against Wattimena
Lukas Wenig once again found himself at the heart of European Tour drama, though this time with a bitter end. In a tense 5-6 battle against Jermaine Wattimena, ‘Luu’ showed incredible resilience. After some fortune kept him in the game at 2-2, he surged ahead to a 4-2 lead with a 14-dart break and a clinical 100-finish. However, he couldn’t close out 40 points, allowing Wattimena to level at 4-4 with an 11-darter. Wenig punished another error to go 5-4 up with an 84-check on double 1, but Wattimena responded with another superb 11-darter against the throw. The decider saw both players miss a match dart on the bullseye, before the Dutchman eventually sealed a hard-fought victory.
Damon Heta’s Dominant Display
The afternoon’s most impressive individual performance came from Australian star Damon Heta. ‘The Heat’ showcased his formidable form, beating Darius Labanauskas 6-3 with a sensational 101.42 average. Heta quickly established control, taking a 3-2 lead with two 14-darters. Although Labanauskas briefly interrupted with a 12-dart break, Heta then swept the remaining legs, checking out 92 and 110 before sealing the win with a flawless 13-darter. His commanding display leaves no doubt about his intentions for the tournament.
Dutch Delights: A Perfect Afternoon
It was a perfect afternoon for the Dutch contingent, who secured four wins and advanced all their players into the next round. Their stellar performances included:
- Wessel Nijman’s powerful 6-2 victory over Mike De Decker, featuring a 100.42 average. Nijman started strong with a 13-dart break and a 3-0 lead. Despite a brief rally from De Decker, Nijman’s relentless scoring, with legs in 15, 14, and 15 darts, ensured a comfortable win.
- Danny Noppert’s decisive 6-1 triumph against Ricky Evans. Evans struggled severely on his doubles, hitting only one of twelve attempts. Noppert capitalized, even surviving eight match darts before finally closing out the game.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode’s narrow 6-5 win over former world champion Rob Cross. ‘The Titan’ started brilliantly with a 3-0 lead, including finishes of 69, 126, and 72. Cross fought back, but van Duijvenbode held his nerve in a thrilling deciding leg to secure his spot.
English Contenders Advance
English players also made their mark, ensuring their progression unless they faced a Dutch opponent.
- Ross Smith defeated Dave Chisnall 6-4 in a high-quality encounter. ‘Chizzy’ hit a brilliant 121 finish, but Smith responded with a crucial 144 checkout to level, eventually securing the decisive break with a 66-finish.
- Chris Dobey cruised to a 6-1 victory over Luke Woodhouse, showcasing his finishing prowess with high checkouts of 130 and 120 in the opening legs.
- Ryan Searle, with an average close to 100, overcame Daryl Gurney 6-3. ‘Heavy Metal’ secured an early break and maintained control throughout, finishing the match with a 13-darter after Gurney missed a 142 checkout.
Tournament Structure and Prize Money
The European Darts Trophy is a significant event on the PDC calendar, with a total prize fund of £230,000. The winner takes home a substantial £35,000. Importantly, for the 32 seeded players who qualify via the PDC Order of Merit and Pro Tour Order of Merit, their prize money only counts towards their respective ranking lists if they win their first match. Losing in the first round still provides prize money, but it does not contribute to these crucial ranking points. This rule adds an extra layer of pressure and importance to every opening game.
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000
- Quarter-Finalists: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32 (2nd Round): £3,500
- Last 64 (1st Round): £2,000
What’s Next: The Evening Session
The action continues with the evening session, where the second round will be completed. Fans can look forward to more high-stakes matches as top players vie for a spot in the last 16. Key matchups include:
- Josh Rock vs. Paul Krohne
- Gerwyn Price vs. Joe Cullen
- Martin Schindler vs. Richard Veenstra
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Niels Zonneveld
- Karel Sedlacek vs. Mensur Suljovic
- Gian van Veen vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
- Stephen Bunting vs. Niko Springer
- Cam Crabtree vs. Kevin Doets
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
