German Darts Dreams Dashed: Early Exits at the International Darts Open
The International Darts Open in Riesa witnessed a dramatic start on Friday evening, as three German hopefuls – Niko Springer, Paul Krohne, and Liam Maendl-Lawrance – were eliminated in the first round. While the home crowd saw their local heroes fall, established stars like Rob Cross and Joe Cullen secured their spots in the next stage. This recap covers all the key moments from a thrilling night of darts, setting the scene for an exciting weekend as the top-seeded players prepare to join the action for a share of the substantial £230,000 prize fund.
German Players Face Tough Competition
The atmosphere in Riesa was electric, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to carry the German contingent through to Saturday.
- Niko Springer’s European Tour Debut Ends in Defeat: Making his debut on the European Tour, Niko Springer faced former World Championship quarter-finalist Charlie Manby. Despite Springer’s best efforts, Manby, nicknamed “Champagne,” secured a 6-3 victory. Manby’s superior average of 95 points compared to Springer’s 82.27 was a clear factor. While Springer managed a highlight 92-finish and a 112-checkout, Manby consistently outscored him, closing the match on double 2.
- Paul Krohne’s Struggle Against William O’Connor: Paul Krohne found himself trailing early against Ireland’s William O’Connor and couldn’t recover. A crucial moment came in the very first leg when Krohne missed three check darts and then hit double 1 when aiming for a double 3, handing the leg to O’Connor. “The Magpie” capitalized, building a 3-0 lead with a 106-finish and even throwing seven perfect darts in one leg. Krohne avoided a whitewash, but O’Connor ultimately sealed a 6-2 win with a clinical 121 checkout on the bullseye.
- Liam Maendl-Lawrance’s Close Call Against Dave Chisnall: Liam Maendl-Lawrance showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell 3-6 to veteran Dave Chisnall. Interestingly, Chisnall himself described the match as “absolute rubbish” despite his win, indicating he wasn’t at his best. Maendl-Lawrance started strong, taking the first two legs. However, Chisnall found his rhythm, leveling at 2-2 and then 3-3. A stunning 138-finish from “Chizzy” was a turning point. Maendl-Lawrance then found himself on “Madhouse” (double 1) when trying to finish 69, allowing Chisnall to snatch the leg and eventually the match with a 110 checkout.
Other Notable Matches and Victories
While some faced early exits, other players delivered exciting performances and advanced to the next round:
- Rob Cross Triumphs in Decider: “Voltage” Rob Cross secured a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode. This crucial win not only propelled him forward but also earned him valuable prize money in the race for World Matchplay qualification. Cross maintained a solid 95 average in a highly competitive encounter, utilizing his throw advantage in the deciding leg.
- Kevin Doets’ Dominant Whitewash: Kevin Doets delivered a masterclass, whitewashing Tom Bissell 6-0 with an impressive 102 average. Bissell simply couldn’t keep pace, only getting three check darts throughout the entire match, all of which he missed.
- Joe Cullen’s Resilient Comeback: “The Rockstar” Joe Cullen showed incredible fighting spirit, recovering from a 3-5 deficit against Chris Landman to win 6-5. Cullen won three legs in a row to secure the deciding leg and denied Landman any match darts.
- Krzysztof Ratajski Edges Out Cristo Reyes: In a match where neither player hit top form, Krzysztof Ratajski emerged victorious with a 6-4 win over Cristo Reyes. Both players averaged under 90, but the Pole’s superior finishing on doubles made the difference.
The Tournament Continues: Seeded Players Enter the Fray
The International Darts Open 2026 continues with its second day, where the 16 seeded players will join the competition. As is customary for the European Tour, these top players will enter the tournament in the second round. Saturday will feature two sessions, starting at 13:00 CEST and 19:00 CEST respectively, promising more high-stakes darts action.
Upcoming Matches – Saturday, May 23, 2026
Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST):
- Jermaine Wattimena (12) vs. Bradley Brooks
- Damon Heta (15) vs. Niels Zonneveld
- Luke Woodhouse (16) vs. Kevin Doets
- Danny Noppert (7) vs. Ricardo Pietreczko
- Ross Smith (10) vs. Joe Cullen
- Mike De Decker (13) vs. Rob Cross
- Wessel Nijman (14) vs. William O’Connor
- Josh Rock (6) vs. Cameron Menzies
Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST):
- Chris Dobey (9) vs. Gurney/Huybrechts (Winner of Friday’s last match)
- James Wade (3) vs. Dave Chisnall
- Ryan Searle (8) vs. Charlie Manby
- Christian Kist vs. Ryan Joyce
- Gian van Veen (1) vs. Connor Scutt
- Michael van Gerwen (2) vs. Madars Razma
- Stephen Bunting (4) vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
- Martin Schindler (11) vs. Karel Sedlacek
Prize Money Breakdown
A total of £230,000 is up for grabs at the International Darts Open. The winner will take home a substantial £35,000. It’s important to note that for prize money to count towards the PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, and Pro Tour Order of Merit, players must win their opening match. If they lose, they still receive the prize money, but it doesn’t contribute to their ranking.
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finals: £10,000
- Quarter-Finals: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32 (2nd Round): £3,500
- Last 64 (1st Round): £2,000
- Total Prize Fund: £230,000
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
