In a spectacular display of darts prowess, Gian van Veen has once again proven his dominance, successfully defending his title at the second edition of the Dartpraat Open. Remaining undefeated throughout the fiercely contested tournament in Mariahout, Van Veen bested a formidable field of 130 players, including several PDC Tour Card holders. His impressive victory culminated in a thrilling final against fellow top player Niels Zonneveld. The tournament also saw Jan-Willem van Hout emerge victorious in the fiercely fought Losers’ Round, adding another layer of excitement to the event.
The Dartpraat Open, a rapidly growing fixture in the Dutch darts calendar, returned for its second edition, bigger and more competitive than ever. Originally launched in 2024, this year’s event saw a significant expansion, drawing a massive crowd and a high caliber of talent to Mariahout.
A Tournament Transformed: Bigger, Better, Bolder
This year’s Dartpraat Open truly stepped up its game. With a staggering 130 players converging on Mariahout, the tournament outgrew its previous venue. To accommodate the immense interest, a special tent was erected next to the main cafe, featuring 20 additional dart lanes provided by DartsRental. This setup ensured a smooth flow of matches and an electric atmosphere for both players and spectators.
The Elite Field: Who Challenged the Champion?
The lineup was packed with talent, including reigning champion Gian van Veen. He faced stiff competition from an array of seasoned professionals and rising stars, many of whom hold coveted PDC Tour Cards – a testament to their standing in the professional darts world. Key contenders included:
- Niels Zonneveld
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Jelle Klaasen
- Benito van de Pas
- Jimmy van Schie
- Alexander Merkx
- Levy Frauenfelder
Tournament Structure: A Path to Glory (or Redemption)
The tournament kicked off with a group stage, designed to filter the vast number of participants. The 130 players were divided into:
- Two groups of three players
- Thirty-one groups of four players
From these groups, the top two players from each advanced to the prestigious Winners’ Round knockout stage. Those who finished in the bottom two spots in their groups were not out of the competition entirely; they moved into the Losers’ Round, offering a chance for redemption and another title.
The Knockout Drama: Favorites Fall
The knockout phase, which began late in the evening at 11:45 PM, proved to be a minefield for many. Several highly-touted players found their campaigns cut short in surprising upsets:
- At the Last 64 stage:
- Jimmy van Schie was unexpectedly defeated 3-1 by Vincent Kamphuis.
- Alexander Merkx suffered a 3-2 loss to Paul Zwemmer.
- Maikel Verberk also exited, losing to Levy Frauenfelder.
- A round later, in the Last 32:
- Benito van de Pas was eliminated by Jermaine Wattimena.
- Former BDO World Champion Jelle Klaasen also saw his run end.
The Winners’ Round Final: A Clash of Titans
Despite the early exits of some big names, the Winners’ Round ultimately saw two of the most dominant players reach the final: Gian van Veen and Niels Zonneveld. Intriguingly, these two had already met in the group stage. In a high-quality encounter, Van Veen once again demonstrated his superior form, overcoming Zonneveld with a 5-3 victory to secure his second consecutive Dartpraat Open title.
The path to the final for Zonneveld was equally dramatic. In his semi-final clash against Jermaine Wattimena, Zonneveld prevailed 4-3, but only after Wattimena agonizingly missed more than six match darts in the decisive seventh leg – a moment of high tension that will surely be remembered.
Winners’ Round Results Overview:
Quarter-finals:
- Tonny Veenhof 3-2 Kevin Verbakel
- Gian van Veen 3-0 Remo Mandiau
- Jermaine Wattimena 3-0 Frederic Willems
- Niels Zonneveld 3-0 Sybren Gijbels
Semi-finals:
- Gian van Veen 4-1 Tonny Veenhof
- Niels Zonneveld 4-3 Jermaine Wattimena
The Losers’ Round: A Second Chance Seized
While the main title went to Van Veen, the Losers’ Round provided its own share of compelling narratives. It was ultimately claimed by Jan-Willem van Hout. In the final, Van Hout impressively defeated Elvera Donders 3-1, who is currently ranked second in the ladies’ division of the NDB Rankings (Dutch Darts Federation). Van Hout’s journey to the final included a remarkable comeback in his semi-final, where he rallied from a 0-2 deficit to beat Wesley van Weert.
Losers’ Round Results Overview:
Quarter-finals:
- Jan-Willem van Hout 2-0 Dennie Blum
- Wesley van Weert 2-0 Sharona Veld
- Jochem Keeren 2-1 Rik Wilborts
- Elvera Donders 2-0 Kyana Frauenfelder
Semi-finals:
- Jan-Willem van Hout 3-2 Wesley van Weert
- Elvera Donders 3-2 Jochem Keeren
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
