The opening day of the Hungarian Darts Trophy delivered a whirlwind of excitement, showcasing incredible talent and unexpected upsets. Darts sensation Beau Greaves made a stunning European Tour debut, pushing former World Champion Rob Cross to the absolute limit in a thrilling decider, despite an outstanding 105 average. But the biggest headlines belong to the local heroes: Hungarian qualifiers Laszlo Kadar and Nandor Major captivated the home crowd with sensational victories over established stars Daryl Gurney and Niels Zonneveld, respectively. Meanwhile, several big names, including Damon Heta and Cameron Menzies, faced surprising early exits, setting the stage for an unpredictable tournament.
Greaves Shines in Dazzling Debut Against Cross
All eyes were on Beau Greaves as she stepped onto the European Tour stage for the first time, facing former World Champion Rob Cross. This highly anticipated match lived up to its billing, becoming the undisputed highlight of the day. Despite averaging an incredible 104.88 – a score that would win most matches – it wasn’t quite enough for the world’s best female player. Cross, known as “Voltage,” ultimately secured a narrow 6-5 victory in a dramatic deciding leg.
The match began with a bang as Cross immediately checked out a maximum 170 finish in the opening leg. Greaves, however, quickly found her rhythm, including a brilliant 12-dart leg to take a 3-2 lead. The tension remained palpable, with the score tied at 4-4. Greaves then took a crucial 104 checkout to go 5-4 up, needing just one more leg for a historic win. But Cross held his nerve, denying her any match darts and closing out the game in 15 darts, showcasing his experience under pressure.
Hungarian Underdogs Stun the Field
The home crowd erupted for two incredible performances from Hungarian qualifiers, proving that local talent can indeed challenge the sport’s elite.
Laszlo Kadar’s Fairytale Victory
In a truly sensational upset, Laszlo Kadar, a Host Nation Qualifier, triumphed in his very first European Tour match. Drawing on his WDF World Championship experience, Kadar defeated Northern Ireland’s “SuperChin” Daryl Gurney 6-5 in another thrilling decider. After leveling the score at 2-2, Kadar seized control, winning the next two legs in 12 and 16 darts. Gurney fought back with a 111 checkout, pushing the match to 5-5. In the deciding leg, Kadar showed remarkable composure, finishing in just 14 darts to seal a memorable victory.
Nandor Major Joins the Winners’ Circle
Not to be outdone, a second Hungarian player, Nandor Major, also advanced to the second round with a surprising 6-5 win over the Netherlands’ Niels Zonneveld. Despite Zonneveld taking an early 3-1 lead, Major fought back valiantly, winning three consecutive legs to level the score at 4-4. Although Major missed several opportunities to hold his throw, a crucial break of throw sent the match into a decider. There, Major delivered a moment of brilliance, taking out a stunning 124 checkout on the bullseye to clinch his place in the next round.
Big Names Fall on Day One
The Hungarian Darts Trophy also saw several prominent players exit the tournament earlier than expected.
- Damon Heta, “The Heat,” suffered a surprising 6-5 defeat to James Hurrell. Heta took a 4-2 lead after a 13-dart break, but Hurrell battled back, including a 112 finish, to lead 5-4. In a tense deciding leg, Hurrell produced a superb 12-dart leg, leaving Heta needing a miraculous nine-darter to win.
- Cameron Menzies was completely outplayed by Tom Sykes, who dominated their match 6-1. After Menzies won the opening leg, Sykes took full control, including 11 and 12-dart legs, to secure a convincing victory.
Other Noteworthy Matches
The evening session featured more close contests and strong performances:
- Krzysztof Ratajski, “The Polish Eagle,” narrowly escaped defeat against Callan Rydz, winning 6-5 after surviving a match dart. Rydz started strongly with a 125 finish and an 11-darter, but Ratajski fought back, eventually capitalizing on Rydz’s missed match dart on tops in the decider.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode, known for his rapid pace, had a much more comfortable evening, securing a dominant 6-1 victory over East European qualifier David Pisek. Pisek’s 77 average simply wasn’t enough against the Dutchman’s strong scoring.
- Joe Cullen, “The Rockstar,” began his campaign with a solid 6-3 win against Adam Leek. Cullen secured an early break with a 138 finish, though Leek did hit a highlight 164 checkout. Cullen then sealed the win with an 11-dart leg.
Looking Ahead: Day Two Action
The second day of the Hungarian Darts Trophy, Saturday, August 29, 2026, promises even more high-stakes action. As is customary for the European Tour, the 16 seeded players will enter the tournament, joining the first-round winners. The day will feature two sessions, starting at 13:00 CEST and 19:00 CEST, bringing together some of the world’s top darting talent.
Saturday’s Line-Up: Second Round Matches
Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST):
- Ross Smith (13) vs. William O’Connor
- Wessel Nijman (12) vs. Dave Chisnall
- Jermaine Wattimena (15) vs. Andrew Gilding
- Danny Noppert (8) vs. Ritchie Edhouse
- Ryan Searle (9) vs. Niko Springer
- Luke Woodhouse (16) vs. Rob Cross
- Gary Anderson (10) vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
- Chris Dobey (11) vs. Tom Sykes
Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST):
- Stephen Bunting (7) vs. Jonas Masalin
- Jonny Clayton (4) vs. Laszlo Kadar
- Madars Razma vs. Keane Barry
- Luke Humphries (1) vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Michael van Gerwen (3) vs. James Hurrell
- Gian van Veen (2) vs. Nandor Major
- Nathan Aspinall (14) vs. Ryan Joyce
- Josh Rock (6) vs. Joe Cullen
Prize Money at Stake
The Hungarian Darts Trophy offers a substantial prize fund of £230,000, with the winner taking home a lucrative £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 first match. While losing players still receive their prize money, it doesn’t contribute to their overall ranking points.
Here’s a breakdown of the prize money:
- 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
Total Prize Fund: £230,000
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
