The 2026 Dutch Open in Assen, the world’s largest darts tournament, saw a historic first: German talent Paul Krohne clinched the men’s singles title, overcoming a dramatic 0-2 set deficit in the final against Dutch star Corné Groeneveld. This monumental victory marks the first time a German has won the prestigious event. Not to be outdone, local favourite Priscilla Steenbergen delighted the home crowd by winning the women’s singles, while young Eric Petereit secured a German victory in the U14 youth category, showcasing a strong performance from German players across the board.
Men’s Singles: Krohne’s Unstoppable Ascent
The Dutch Open 2026, held in Assen, once again cemented its reputation as the world’s biggest darts tournament, drawing an incredible 4096 participants for the men’s open event alone. This year, all eyes were on a rising German star.
Paul Krohne, a 25-year-old from Germany, etched his name into the history books by becoming the first German player to win the men’s singles title. His journey to the top was nothing short of spectacular, marked by 11 consecutive victories and consistently high-level play.
- Early Dominance: Krohne started strong, dispatching opponents like Benjamin Houtsma and René Duits with comfortable 3-0 wins, consistently posting averages in the 90s.
- The Comeback King: His resilience was tested early. Krohne found himself 0-2 down against fellow German Bernd Mommer but fought back heroically to win the match. He showed similar grit against Erwin Vossen, winning four legs in a row, and against Maarten Dirk Word, where he needed three consecutive legs to survive.
- Peak Performance: As the tournament progressed, Krohne’s game elevated further. He delivered a stunning 106 average against “The Bomb” Ron Meulenkamp, a testament to his focused and powerful scoring. His path to the final also included impressive wins on the main stage against Heine Uuldriks and a whitewash victory over Jenson Walker.
The Thrilling Final: Krohne vs. Groeneveld
The grand finale pitted Paul Krohne against Corné Groeneveld, a Dutch player with a strong track record in WDF events. What unfolded was an incredibly tense and high-quality match played in a set format.
Groeneveld initially seized control, capitalizing on crucial moments to take a commanding 2-0 lead in sets. He even thrilled the crowd with a magnificent 170 checkout while Krohne was left on a challenging 30. However, Krohne refused to be defeated. Displaying incredible determination, the German battled his way back, unleashing numerous 180s alongside his opponent.
The momentum shifted dramatically as Krohne clawed his way back to level the match at 2-2 in sets. He even hit six perfect darts in one leg, hinting at a potential nine-darter. Despite Groeneveld’s continued threat, the Dutchman couldn’t secure a match dart. Ultimately, Paul Krohne completed his sensational comeback, winning the final 3-2 and adding his name to an illustrious list of champions that includes darts legends like Raymond van Barneveld and Martin Adams.
Other Notable Men’s Performances
The tournament also saw strong showings from other top players:
- Jarno Bottenberg, the 2024 champion, made it to the semi-finals before being defeated by Corné Groeneveld.
- Former Tour Card holders Mike van Duivenbode and Patrick Geeraets reached the last 16.
- Florian Hempel, another German contender, made it to the final day (last 64) but lost to Ron Meulenkamp.
Women’s Singles: Steenbergen Triumphs on Home Soil
The women’s tournament, which began with 512 participants, culminated in a captivating final between two players with Lakeside experience. Priscilla Steenbergen, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, emerged victorious with a 5-3 win over Norway’s Rachna David.
David started strong, taking an early lead, but Steenbergen proved to be the more consistent player, steadily gaining control of the match. Steenbergen’s journey to the final included strong performances against Adriana van Wijgerden-Vermaat, Irina Armstrong (who took her to a decider), and Lerena Rietbergen. Veteran player Paula Jacklin also reached the semi-finals.
Youth and Doubles Events: A Glimpse into the Future
The Dutch Open also highlighted emerging talent and competitive doubles action:
- U18 Open: Belgium’s Milan Vanuytrecht claimed the title in a thrilling decider against Kai Burger, who had match darts.
- U18 Girls: Favourite Paige Pauling secured a 3-1 victory over Zehra Gemi.
- U14 Open: This category was dominated by German players, with Eric Petereit from TSV Schönberg winning an all-German final against Bruno Willi Sauer. Petereit sealed his victory with a superb 91 bull finish in the deciding leg.
Doubles Tournament
The men’s doubles event was fiercely contested by 2048 teams. Tour Card holders Dirk van Duijvenbode and Maik Kuivenhoven showcased their class, winning the final against Jimmy van Schie and Danny van Trijp. The semi-finals featured other prominent pairings like Jelle Klaasen & Andy Baetens, and Richard Veenstra & Chris Landman.
In the women’s doubles, Turkish youngsters Zehra Gemi and Aysegül Karagöz remained undefeated, securing a 4-1 victory against Priscilla Steenbergen and Jo Rolls.
Para Darts: Champions Crowned
The para darts categories also saw inspiring performances:
- Para Darts Standing: Kwanghee Cho defeated Ria Niemeijer to take the title.
- Wheelchair Darts: Vincent D’Hondt was the victor.
- Para Doubles: Michelovic van Velzen & Kwanghee Cho triumphed over Germans Michel Holzen & Ralf Huesmann.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
