Day 3 of the 2026 PDC European Championship delivered electrifying darts action, with teenage sensation Luke Littler stealing the spotlight. He delivered a breathtaking performance, achieving an astonishing average that brought him tantalizingly close to Phil Taylor’s legendary record. Beyond Littler’s heroics, the day saw dramatic comebacks, defending champions fall, and home favourites delight their crowds. The stage is now set for a thrilling Sunday, as eight elite players battle for the coveted title and the £150,000 top prize.
Littler’s Near-Record Performance Steals the Show
World number one Luke Littler continued his sensational form, raising the bar even higher in the Last 16 at the Westfalenhalle. He achieved a staggering **114.47 average**, coming incredibly close to Phil Taylor’s all-time record of 118.14. Littler’s match against Nathan Aspinall began with an explosive flurry, as he raced to a 4-0 lead with legs of **12, 11, 12, and 11 darts**, boasting an average north of 130 in the early stages.
Despite Aspinall hitting **ten maximums** and bravely fighting back to narrow the gap to 5-4, Littler’s relentless pressure proved too much. He ultimately secured a dominant 10-5 victory.
Aspirations and Ambition
Reflecting on his performance, Littler shared his confidence and determination:
- “I felt really good from the off tonight… Nathan is always there. He’s always going to come back at you, so I couldn’t afford a drop off.”
- “I looked up a few times and I think I was on a 121 average and 117 at some point, so I said to myself: ‘just keep going’.”
- “I’ve had a long time off and past results haven’t gone my way, but hopefully if I do lift the trophy, I can say I’ve not gone anywhere!”
The European Championship remains the **only PDC major title to elude Littler** in his quest for a career grand slam. His next challenge will be Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals.
Dramatic Upsets and Fierce Battles
Ratajski’s Resilient Comeback
Krzysztof Ratajski, known as ‘The Polish Eagle’, showcased incredible resilience. He battled back from **4-0 and 8-6 deficits** to defeat Kevin Doets 10-8. The Polish number one hit **seven 180s** and maintained an average of over 97, securing his **first career televised quarter-final** spot.
Woodhouse Topples Defending Champion
Luke Woodhouse, who had already made headlines with a **9-dart finish** in the opening round, continued his brilliant run. He delivered an emphatic 10-6 victory over defending champion Gian van Veen. Woodhouse’s impressive performance included **blockbuster checkouts of 114, 117, and 129**, proving too strong for the Dutch number one.
Van Veen’s exit means **Ross Smith is now the only former champion remaining** in the tournament. Woodhouse will face Smith in an intriguing quarter-final clash.
Woodhouse commented on his win: “Being in the quarter-finals is huge… When someone of Gian’s quality is not at it, you’ve got to pounce on them and make sure you don’t let them back into the game. I was very steady and I took my chances, but I have another big game tomorrow.”
Smith and Schindler Advance
- Ross Smith: The top seed fended off a valiant fightback from Damon Heta to win 10-7. Smith started incredibly strong, racing to a 5-0 lead with an average of over 112, before overcoming some late difficulties on the doubles. He continues his bid for a second European Championship crown and his second televised title of 2026.
- Martin Schindler: German number one Martin Schindler delighted the passionate home crowd by defeating Jermaine Wattimena 10-4. Schindler converted **53% of his doubles** to reach his **third televised ranking quarter-final**, where he will be roared on by over 7,000 fans against Jonny Clayton. He expressed his enjoyment: “I’m always trying to take the energy they [the fans] are giving me, and it’s always a nice situation to play in front of your home crowd, but you still need to play solid darts… I’m in the last eight for the first time, and I feel like I’m playing better.”
Clayton, Price, and Bunting Complete the Elite Eight
- Jonny Clayton: ‘The Ferret’ produced his trademark **121 finish on the bullseye** to seal a narrow 10-8 victory over Josh Rock, who had threatened a dramatic comeback from 9-6 down.
- Gerwyn Price: ‘The Iceman’ delivered a dominant performance, demolishing Cameron Menzies 10-4. Price showcased a **hat-trick of 100+ finishes** and won **7 of the last 8 legs** to progress in emphatic style.
- Stephen Bunting: ‘The Bullet’ demonstrated impressive combination finishing, converting **checkouts of 100, 108, 116, and 121**. This secured his progress and marked his **first European Championship quarter-final since 2014**.
The Quarter-Final Lineup: Who Plays Whom?
The stage is set for an epic Sunday afternoon session with these enthralling matchups:
- Ross Smith v Luke Woodhouse
- Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting
- Martin Schindler v Jonny Clayton
- Krzysztof Ratajski v Luke Littler
The Road to Glory: Sunday’s Showdown
The 2026 PDC European Championship will conclude on Sunday in Dortmund with an action-packed double header. The eight remaining players will battle in the quarter-finals during the afternoon session for a chance at the **£150,000 top prize**. The decisive semi-finals and final will then take place from 19:00 CET, crowning this year’s champion.
Full Results from Day 3
Here’s a recap of all the intense Round Two matches:
- Gerwyn Price 10-4 Cameron Menzies
- Stephen Bunting 10-3 Kim Huybrechts
- Ross Smith 10-7 Damon Heta
- Luke Woodhouse 10-6 Gian van Veen
- Krzysztof Ratajski 10-8 Kevin Doets
- Martin Schindler 10-4 Jermaine Wattimena
- Luke Littler 10-5 Nathan Aspinall
- Jonny Clayton 10-8 Josh Rock
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
