Day two of the European Championship in Dortmund promises an electrifying conclusion to the opening round, featuring some of darts’ biggest stars and most compelling storylines. Teenage sensation Luke Littler kicks off his quest for a maiden European Championship title against Willie O’Connor, while four-time champion Michael van Gerwen faces a crucial clash against Kevin Doets. Other highlights include matches involving in-form Jonny Clayton, top seed Wessel Nijman, and a host of European Tour winners, all battling for survival and a chance at glory. Expect high-stakes drama, potential upsets, and unforgettable darts as players aim to make their mark.
The Grand Stage is Set: Evening Session Kicks Off
Eight compelling matches will bring the first round to a close at the iconic Westfalenhallen. From seasoned veterans seeking a comeback to rising talents chasing their first major silverware, the evening is packed with intrigue.
Ryan Joyce vs. Jermaine Wattimena
This opening match features two players who have enjoyed strong runs on the European Tour this year. Both Joyce and Wattimena have reached European Tour finals, with Wattimena losing to Krzysztof Ratajski at the European Darts Open, and Joyce finishing runner-up to Luke Woodhouse at the Baltic Sea Darts Open. Their head-to-head record on the circuit this year is tight, but Joyce holds the recent advantage, winning two last-leg deciders in their three encounters. This promises to be a difficult match to predict.
Krzysztof Ratajski vs. Dave Chisnall
Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski enters this tournament in impressive form, finishing third on the European Tour Order of Merit after a successful year that included winning the European Darts Open. In contrast, Dave Chisnall has endured a challenging season, qualifying in 30th place and hoping a deep run here can reignite his momentum. Ratajski boasts a dominant record against Chisnall, with nine wins from their 11 meetings, including eight consecutive victories. This historical advantage could play a significant role.
Nathan Aspinall vs. Cristo Reyes
The resurgence of Cristo Reyes this year has been a delight for darts fans. The Spaniard makes his first European Championship appearance in eight years, a testament to his strong performances on the European Tour. He faces the formidable sixth seed, Nathan Aspinall, who claimed the German Darts Grand Prix title in April. Aspinall demonstrated his class with back-to-back averages above 100 in that tournament’s semi-final and final, defeating Danny Noppert to claim glory. Their sole previous encounter was nine years ago, with Reyes winning a last-leg decider – a statistic that adds an extra layer of intrigue to this clash.
Jonny Clayton vs. Niko Springer
Jonny Clayton arrives in Dortmund brimming with confidence after recent triumphs at the Swiss Darts Trophy and the New Zealand Darts Masters. However, the European Championship has been a tougher nut to crack for the Welshman, who hasn’t progressed beyond the second round since 2020. His opponent, Niko Springer, has also tasted European Tour success with his Hungarian Darts Trophy win, though his campaign this year has been less consistent. Clayton is the clear favourite, having won both of their previous meetings.
The Main Events: Littler, Van Gerwen & Nijman in Action
Luke Littler vs. Willie O’Connor
All eyes will be on teenage sensation Luke Littler as he begins his campaign for a first European Championship title. Despite competing in just three European Tour events this year, “The Nuke” secured two titles – the Poland Darts Open and Czech Darts Open – showcasing his immense talent. This tournament represents a significant target for Littler, as it’s the remaining individual major honour he needs to complete the current set of PDC titles. He faces experienced Irishman Willie O’Connor, who makes his first European Championship appearance since 2020 after competing in every European Tour event this year. O’Connor reached the quarter-finals in 2020, but overcoming Littler will be a monumental challenge.
Wessel Nijman vs. Martin Schindler
Wessel Nijman has enjoyed an outstanding season, topping the ProTour rankings and entering the European Championship as the second seed. The Dutchman has claimed two European Tour titles – the European Darts Trophy and Slovak Darts Open – alongside an impressive six Players Championship titles. Tasked with stopping his dominant run is Germany’s number one, Martin Schindler, who has consistently reached European Tour quarter-finals this season. Nijman appears to be the strong favourite, having won four of their five previous PDC encounters.
Michael van Gerwen vs. Kevin Doets
This all-Dutch affair is arguably the most captivating tie of the night, featuring two players at very different stages of their careers. Kevin Doets is a man on the rise, enjoying an excellent year on the ProTour which included a run to the Austrian Darts Open final. The bookmakers see the 28-year-old as a marginal favourite, reflecting his strong form. For four-time champion Michael van Gerwen, this match is crucial. “The Green Machine” has recently dropped out of the world’s top 10 for the first time in over a decade, following early exits at the World Series of Darts Finals and World Grand Prix. Van Gerwen will be desperate for a strong run here to climb the rankings and pursue a fifth European Championship title.
Josh Rock vs. Chris Dobey
The final match of the first round pits two familiar foes against each other. Tenth seed Josh Rock, who won the Austrian Darts Open in May by beating Kevin Doets in the final, will be looking to finally progress beyond the opening round of the European Championship – a tournament that has proved challenging for him in recent years. Chris Dobey, a semi-finalist here in 2022, qualified despite a less stellar European Tour campaign this season. Dobey holds a significant recent head-to-head advantage, having won six of their last seven clashes, making him a dangerous opponent for “Rocky”.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
