The penultimate weekend of PDC Europe Next Gen action delivered high drama as players battled fiercely for coveted spots in the 2026 Super League. Daniel Klose clinched a crucial victory in the traditional 501-dart format, while Jaimy van de Weerd shone brightly, not only winning the unique 170-dart event but also posting an astonishing 112.73 average. These dominant performances have solidified their positions at the top of the Order of Merit, setting the stage for an electrifying final push towards Super League qualification.
A Weekend of High Stakes Darts
The PDC Europe Next Gen tour continued its thrilling run in Germany, with players intensely competing to secure their places in the prestigious 2026 Super League. Before this weekend, Jaimy van de Weerd held the top spot on the Order of Merit, with Daniel Klose hot on his heels. A significant gap separated these two from Paul Krohne in third, highlighting the dominance of the top contenders.
Event One: The “FA-Cup Style” Showdown
The first event of the weekend featured a unique “FA-Cup style” format. This meant that draws were conducted before each round, ensuring players couldn’t pre-plan their paths to the final. This unpredictable structure often opens doors for surprise performances.
- Winner: Daniel Klose – Klose demonstrated his class, securing a 6-2 victory over Lenny Schülter in the final.
- Lenny Schülter’s Strong Run – Schülter reached the final, showcasing his growing talent.
- Underdog Success – Tim Scholtz and Dominic Ferrero made impressive runs to the Quarter-Finals, while Marc Spalt reached the Semi-Finals, putting himself firmly in the Super League conversation.
Unforgettable Performances
Beyond the wins, several players delivered astonishing individual performances:
- Jaimy van de Weerd: A Jaw-Dropping 112.73 Average! In a group stage match against Tim Langstädtler, Van de Weerd achieved an incredible average of 112.73, winning legs in just 16, 14, and a sensational 10 darts. This is an elite-level display of scoring power.
- Marcel Hausotter also posted a strong 101.9 average.
- Tournament winner Daniel Klose himself recorded a solid 101.17 average in the last eight.
Event Two: The Unique 170 Challenge
Sunday brought the return of the much-anticipated 170 event, a format first introduced in 2026. Unlike traditional darts where players start from 501, in this format, legs begin from a score of 170. This allows for the exciting possibility of finishing a leg in just one visit (three darts), but it generally leads to lower overall averages due to less time for sustained high scoring. This format often favors players who can quickly hit specific high-value targets for checkouts.
- Winner: Jaimy van de Weerd – Van de Weerd capped off a remarkable weekend by winning his second title of 2026, reaching his seventh final. He once again defeated Lenny Schülter, who made his second final appearance of the weekend.
- Underdog Resilience – The unique format once again saw underdogs thrive, with Jonathan Parvaneh reaching the Semi-Finals to climb to 21st on the Order of Merit. Deniz Baudis also made a Semi-Final run, securing a crucial Super League qualification spot through the Youth Order of Merit.
Van de Weerd’s Unbelievable 170 Checkouts
Jaimy van de Weerd’s performance in this event was particularly outstanding. In his 10-4 win in the Last 16 over Marcel Steinacher, he achieved an astounding 103.94 average – a score almost unthinkable in the challenging 170 format! Even more impressively, he won three legs with a perfect 170 checkout, demonstrating incredible precision under pressure.
The Race to the Super League: What’s Next?
With just two events remaining next weekend, the field for the 2026 Super League is almost set. The stakes couldn’t be higher for those still battling for a spot.
Super League Qualification Explained:
- Top 16 from the main Order of Merit will qualify directly.
- Top 4 unqualified youth players from the Youth Order of Merit will also earn a spot.
- The final four spots will be determined through the new PDC Europe Start play-offs, adding another layer of excitement and opportunity.
Ultimately, the winner of the Super League will follow in the footsteps of previous champions like Arno Merk and Kai Gotthardt, earning the ultimate prize: qualification for the prestigious World Championships.
Upcoming: The Final Showdown
The final two events next weekend will be absolutely critical, as players make their last push to secure a place among Europe’s elite in the 2026 Super League.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
