Unforgettable Afternoon of Darts
The Flanders Darts Trophy Last 16 session delivered an afternoon packed with nail-biting finishes and incredible turnarounds. Many matches went down to a decisive eleventh leg, with key players like Gian van Veen and James Wade clinching victories in thrilling fashion. However, former world champion Gerwyn Price was knocked out by Ross Smith, while Damon Heta showcased his strong form. Notably, Nathan Aspinall staged a remarkable comeback from a significant deficit, setting the stage for an electrifying evening session.
Van Veen Survives 106 Average Scare
The afternoon session kicked off with immediate drama as Gian van Veen overcame Kevin Doets 6-5, despite Doets boasting an incredible 106-point average. Initially, legs went with the throw, but van Veen broke to lead 3-1 after Doets missed a 164 checkout on the bullseye. Although Doets fell further behind at 1-4, “Hawkeye” found another gear, hitting an 11-dart leg to pull back to 3-4. After a high-pressure 115 finish, Doets narrowly missed a double top for a potential 5-4 lead, allowing van Veen back into the match. Van Veen then held his nerve, checking out 66 to force and win the deciding leg.
Van Veen will now face Chris Dobey in the quarter-finals.
Dobey Edges Searle in Double-Darts Battle
In another thrilling decider, Chris Dobey defeated Ryan Searle 6-5, a match characterized by a staggering 34 missed darts at doubles between the two players. Dobey alone missed seven doubles in the very first leg. Neither player could establish a significant lead, with breaks of throw common throughout. A highlight was Dobey’s 12-dart leg to level at 3-3. In the final leg, “Hollywood” missed his first match dart on double 16, and Searle then failed to capitalize on 88 remaining. Dobey eventually sealed the win with his 18th dart.
Joyce’s Last-Gasp Decider Win
Similarly, Ryan Joyce had to survive match darts against Jermaine Wattimena, winning 6-5 in a match that took a wild turn towards the end. Joyce missed an early chance for a 2-0 lead but secured his second leg with a 128 checkout. Despite missing a 148 for a potential 3-2, “Relentless” largely controlled the game due to Wattimena’s errors, building a 5-3 lead with an 11-dart leg. He then narrowly missed a 170 finish for the match, allowing Wattimena to counter with a sensational 144 checkout. Suddenly, the Dutchman played inspired darts, securing the throw in the decider with an 11-dart leg. With 56 points left after 12 darts, Wattimena missed two match darts, giving Joyce the opportunity to snatch victory with his very last dart on 70 remaining.
Smith Stuns Price in High-Stakes Clash
The tension continued in the fourth match as Ross Smith secured a 6-5 victory over former world champion Gerwyn Price. “Smudger” started strong with checkouts of 142 and 106 to lead 2-0, extending his advantage to 4-1. Price fought back, breaking throw with a 12-dart leg to make it 3-4, also benefiting from Smith’s missed doubles in the next leg. Smith then pulled out a brilliant 158 checkout at 4-4. The deciding leg was palpable with tension; Price missed a match dart, before Smith finally found the winning double on his fourth attempt.
‘The Machine’ James Wade Grinds Out Victory
Spectators were treated to a fifth deciding leg as James Wade triumphed 6-5 over Rob Cross. “The Machine” took a 2-1 lead with 11 and 15-dart legs. Cross then produced a moment of brilliance, hitting a 160 checkout after Wade missed a tops-tops attempt. However, “Voltage” squandered his advantage by missing four darts at double 18, allowing Wade back into the driver’s seat. It remained a back-and-forth battle, but Wade ultimately secured the win with a 14-dart leg in the decider.
Noppert Breaks the Decider Streak
The run of deciding legs was finally broken in the match where Danny Noppert defeated Wessel Nijman 6-4. The first break of the match was crucial. In the opening leg, Nijman was waiting on 32, but Noppert saved himself with a brilliant 137 finish. From then on, neither player could break the other’s throw. Nijman missed high finishes for a break twice, leading to a 5-4 scoreline. Noppert then elevated his game with an 11-dart leg, pushing his average over the 100-mark to seal his victory.
Heta Continues Strong European Tour Run
Damon Heta’s form appears to be on an upward trend, with the Australian already reaching two semi-finals on the European Tour this season. He continued his strong run with a 6-3 victory over Luke Woodhouse. An 84 checkout for an 11-dart leg and a 3-1 lead laid the groundwork, followed by Woodhouse making three double errors, paving the way for Heta. “Woody” recovered to hold his next throws in 12 and 11 darts, but Heta remained consistent, checking out 78 and 76 points in two darts each on his own throw to secure the win.
Aspinall’s Sensational Comeback
The afternoon concluded with a stunning comeback victory for Nathan Aspinall, who rallied from 0-3 and 2-4 down to defeat Stephen Bunting 6-4. Bunting punished three double errors from his opponent with the second 158 checkout of the afternoon, but then failed to close out 40 for a potential 4-0 lead. “The Asp” finally hit a double on his eighth attempt and was the better player from then on. Although Bunting hit a 12-dart leg to make it 4-2, he didn’t get another dart at a double afterwards. Aspinall comfortably held his throws with two 18-dart legs, ultimately checking out 95 via double 19 twice for the win.
Looking Ahead: The Evening Session
The final session of the Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 promises more high-octane darts, starting at 7:00 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time).
Quarter-Finals Line-up:
- Gian van Veen vs Chris Dobey
- Ryan Joyce vs Ross Smith
- James Wade vs Danny Noppert
- Damon Heta vs Nathan Aspinall
Semi-Finals Path:
- Winner of Van Veen/Dobey vs Winner of Joyce/Smith
- Winner of Wade/Noppert vs Winner of Heta/Aspinall
The Grand Final:
The winners of the two semi-finals will compete for the Flanders Darts Trophy title.
Prize Money Breakdown
A total of £230,000 is up for grabs at the tournament. To have their prize money count towards the PDC Order of Merit and Pro Tour Order of Merit, all 32 pre-qualified players must win their opening match. If they lose their first game, they still receive the prize money, but it does not contribute to the main rankings.
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finals: £10,000
- Quarter-Finals: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Second Round: £3,500
- First Round: £2,000
- Total: £230,000
How to Watch Darts Events
Major darts tournaments, including European Tour events and World Series events, are widely broadcast live in high definition by various sports streaming services and television channels globally. Fans can typically follow the action on Smart TVs, smartphones, PCs, laptops, and tablets. Many services also offer the option to watch missed games on-demand. Check local sports broadcasters and streaming platforms for availability in your region.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
