The Dutch Open 2026 youth tournaments delivered an unforgettable display of emerging darting talent, culminating in three sensational champions. Paige Pauling secured her third consecutive Girls’ title with a dominant performance, while Milan Vanuytrecht claimed the Open Youth crown after a nail-biting final. Eric Petereit completed the trio of winners, triumphing in a dramatic all-German Boys’ final. These young stars showcased incredible skill, resilience, and sportsmanship, promising a bright future for the sport.
Girls’ Tournament: Pauling Secures Historic Third Title
The Girls’ Dutch Open was a highly anticipated event, featuring a clash between two darting titans: world number one Paige Pauling and the reigning WDF World Champion, Zehra Gemi. Gemi had already reached a pairs final earlier in the weekend, setting the stage for a thrilling individual showdown.
Pauling’s path to the final wasn’t without its challenges. In a tense quarter-final, she faced Aysegül Karagöz and remarkably survived more than five match darts, demonstrating incredible composure under pressure. From there, her form soared. Pauling confidently defeated Aileen Schrader 3-0 in her semi-final, while Zehra Gemi overcame Ruby Grey with a 3-1 victory to set up the dream final.
The Grand Final: Pauling’s Dominance
On the main stage, Pauling was determined to avenge her semi-final loss to Gemi at the World Championship. She started strong, racing to a 2-0 lead with legs in 20 and 23 darts. Gemi responded with a 21-darter, but Pauling quickly reasserted her dominance. With another clinical 20-darter, Paige Pauling sealed a 3-1 victory, clinching her third consecutive Girls’ Dutch Open title – a truly remarkable achievement.
Semi-Final Results:
- Paige Pauling 3-0 Aileen Schrader
- Zehra Gemi 3-1 Ruby Grey
Boys’ Tournament: Petereit Triumphs in All-German Thriller
The Boys’ Dutch Open saw an exciting blend of rising stars, with the final becoming an all-German affair between Eric Petereit and Bruno Willi Sauer. The road to the final was paved with intense matches.
Dutch hopeful Koen Jansen looked strong but ultimately fell in a dramatic semi-final. Bruno Willi Sauer staged a remarkable comeback, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory against Jansen, sealing his spot in the final with a crucial 13-darter in the deciding leg. Eric Petereit secured his final berth more comfortably, dispatching Aaron De Ridder with a decisive 3-0 win.
The Grand Final: A Battle of Nerves
The final began with Petereit taking the first leg with a 19-darter. Sauer then showed great composure, taking two legs in a row to lead 2-1. However, Petereit fought back fiercely, leveling the match at 2-2 with another 19-darter. The tension was palpable in the deciding leg. Petereit held his nerve to hit a fantastic 91-finish, securing the 3-2 victory and celebrating his Dutch Open title with an exuberant bounce across the stage.
Semi-Final Results:
- Bruno Willi Sauer 3-2 Koen Jansen
- Eric Petereit 3-0 Aaron De Ridder
Open Youth Tournament: Vanuytrecht’s Undefeated Run Ends, But Title Secured
The Open Youth tournament was bursting with talent, attracting established names on the European youth circuit like Kendji Steinbach, Bradley van der Velden, and Lex Paeshuyse, alongside many national stars. However, it was a weekend of upsets for some.
Last year’s champion, Bradley van der Velden, experienced an early exit, losing in the Last 64 to Kai Burger. Fellow countryman Lex Paeshuyse’s journey ended in the quarter-finals, where he was convincingly beaten 3-0 by the eventual champion, Milan Vanuytrecht. The young Belgian, Vanuytrecht, continued his impressive charge, defeating Kendji Steinbach 3-0 in the semi-finals. Kai Burger, whose victory over Van der Velden was no fluke, also made his way to the final after strong wins against Ilyano Snoeis and Dion Hombroek.
The Grand Final: A Rollercoaster Finish
Milan Vanuytrecht entered the final having not lost a single leg throughout the entire tournament. He seemed set to continue this incredible streak, racing to a commanding 3-0 lead with legs in 23, 21, and 21 darts. However, Kai Burger mounted an astonishing comeback, winning three consecutive legs to force a deciding leg!
The tension was immense. Burger started the final leg brilliantly with two 140 scores and had the first chance at match darts. But he agonizingly missed four darts on the outer ring, giving Vanuytrecht a lifeline. The Belgian seized the opportunity, calmly checking out 76 in three darts to claim the Open Youth title. This thrilling final capped a fantastic tournament, highlighting the incredible talent and drama inherent in youth darts.
Quarter-Final Results:
- Kendji Steinbach 3-0 Julian Beifus
- Milan Vanuytrecht 3-0 Lex Paeshuyse
- Dion Hombroek 3-1 Rein Jansma
- Kai Burger 3-1 Ilyano Snoeys
Semi-Final Results:
- Milan Vanuytrecht 3-0 Kendji Steinbach
- Kai Burger 3-0 Dion Hombroek
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
