Opening Session: German Dreams Dashed, Top Seeds Stumble
The European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen kicked off with a dramatic afternoon session, seeing both German contenders, Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz, eliminated in the first round. Adding to the day’s surprises, former world champion Rob Cross also suffered an early exit. However, the session wasn’t without its rising stars, as Kevin Doets and Dave Chisnall secured their spots in Round 2, while newcomers Valters Melderis and Keane Barry delivered impressive upsets, setting a thrilling tone for the tournament.
German Challengers Bow Out Early
For German fans, the afternoon brought disappointment as both their representatives failed to advance:
- Paul Krohne faced Andrew Gilding and, despite a valiant effort, lost 3-6. Krohne managed three legs with an 89-average, but his 25% checkout rate proved insufficient against Gilding’s strong play. A crucial moment came when Krohne missed eight checkouts, allowing Gilding to close out the match.
- Michael Hurtz, making his return to the European Tour, also exited with a 3-6 defeat against Krzysztof Ratajski. Hurtz, with a 75-average, battled to secure three legs, but the “Polish Eagle” maintained control, securing a comfortable victory.
Big Names Stumble, New Faces Shine
The day was marked by some unexpected results, demonstrating the competitive depth of the tournament:
- Rob Cross, “Voltage,” a former world champion, was stunningly eliminated by Mickey Mansell, losing 2-6. Cross struggled with his timing, allowing Mansell to dominate with an impressive 100+ average.
- In a notable upset, Latvia’s Valters Melderis secured his maiden European Tour victory, defeating Karel Sedlacek in a nail-biting deciding leg after Sedlacek missed a match dart.
- Rising talent Keane Barry also surprised, beating Niels Zonneveld 6-3. After a 3-3 deadlock, Barry surged ahead, sealing his win with a spectacular 130 checkout in just 12 darts.
Favorites Advance with Authority
Amidst the upsets, several top players showcased strong form to progress:
- Kevin Doets, “Hawk Eye,” continued his excellent run, defeating Jurjen van der Velde 6-4. Doets established an early 3-0 lead, which proved decisive.
- Dave Chisnall secured a 6-4 victory over Petr Krivka. Krivka had a chance to force a deciding leg with a 158 checkout, but failed to hit the crucial double.
- Pro Tour No. 1 Wessel Nijman delivered a convincing performance, beating Ian White 6-2 with a solid 98-average.
Tournament Schedule and Prize Money
The European Darts Grand Prix offers a substantial prize fund and a packed schedule.
Upcoming Matches: Evening Session (Friday, April 17, 2026, from 7:00 PM CEST)
The first round concludes with eight more exciting clashes:
- William O’Connor vs. Michael Unterbuchner
- Joe Cullen vs. Maik Kuivenhoven
- Peter Wright vs. Jeffrey de Zwaan
- Cameron Menzies vs. Raymond van Barneveld
- Damon Heta vs. Madars Razma
- Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Kim Huybrechts
- Daryl Gurney vs. Oskar Lukasiak
- Niko Springer vs. Robin Masino
Prize Money Breakdown
A total of £230,000 is up for grabs at the tournament. The winner will take home a grand prize of £35,000. It’s important to note how prize money affects rankings:
- All 32 pre-qualified players (via PDC Order of Merit and Pro Tour Order of Merit) must win their opening match for their prize money to count towards these ranking lists.
- If a pre-qualified player loses their first game, they still receive the prize money, but it does not contribute to the main PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, or Pro Tour Order of Merit.
The full prize money structure is as follows:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000
- Quarter-Finalists: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32 (2nd Round): £3,500
- Last 64 (1st Round): £2,000
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
