The Poland Darts Open in Krakow delivered an afternoon session packed with thrilling upsets, commanding performances, and the continued rise of emerging talent. Germany’s last hope, Martin Schindler, was unexpectedly knocked out by Boris Krcmar, while Chris Dobey and Cameron Menzies both secured dominant 6-0 whitewash victories. Wessel Nijman extended his perfect record against darts legend Gary Anderson, and Jermaine Wattimena snatched a dramatic last-leg win. Ross Smith ended a losing streak, and Cristo Reyes continued his impressive return to form, setting the stage for an electrifying evening session and Sunday’s finals.
Afternoon Session Highlights: Drama and Dominance
German Hopes Dashed: Krcmar Eliminates Schindler
The afternoon kicked off with a major upset as Croatia’s Boris Krcmar ended Germany’s journey in the tournament. He delivered a powerful and assured performance to defeat Martin Schindler, who was aiming for his fourth Euro Tour title. Schindler, often known as “The Wall,” couldn’t withstand Krcmar’s relentless attack. Krcmar now advances to face either Krzysztof Ratajski or Luke Humphries in the next round.
Dobey’s Clinical Whitewash
Chris Dobey put on a masterclass, delivering a flawless 6-0 whitewash against Connor Scutt. “Hollywood” Dobey was incredibly efficient, giving “The Sniper” absolutely no chance to find his rhythm or make an impact. This dominant display firmly places Dobey as a strong contender.
Aspinall Advances Despite Pilgrim’s Fight
Nathan Aspinall secured his spot in the last 16 with a hard-fought win over Daryl Pilgrim. While Pilgrim showed impressive stats, including a 100+ average and a 50% checkout rate, he simply didn’t get enough opportunities to convert them into legs. Aspinall’s experience shone through, and he now awaits the winner of the match between Gian van Veen and Andrew Gilding.
Wattimena’s Dramatic Escape
In an all-Dutch battle, Jermaine Wattimena pulled off a sensational comeback against Danny Noppert. The match lived up to its billing as a close contest, with Wattimena saving multiple match darts in the deciding leg before breaking Noppert’s throw to snatch a dramatic victory. He will next face the victor of Stephen Bunting versus Niels Zonneveld.
Nijman’s Unbeaten Streak Against Anderson Continues
Rising star Wessel Nijman further solidified his incredible record against two-time World Champion Gary Anderson. Nijman extended his perfect streak to five wins from five matches against “The Flying Scotsman” with a scintillating 103.45 average. His fluent and confident play proved too much for Anderson’s legendary pedigree.
Menzies Crushes Wade in Shocking Display
Cameron Menzies delivered a stunning 6-0 demolition of darts veteran James Wade. It’s incredibly rare to see “The Machine” leave the stage without winning a single leg, but Wade appeared significantly off-form. Menzies, by contrast, was sharp and unburdened, reinforcing his growing reputation for consistently outperforming established top players.
Smith Ends Gurney Jinx
Ross Smith reversed a recent trend by securing a composed and authoritative victory over Daryl Gurney. Gurney had won their previous three encounters, but “Smudger” recalibrated the narrative with a handsome three-figure average to win convincingly. Smith now potentially faces reigning World Champion Luke Littler on Sunday, should Littler win his evening match.
Reyes’ Remarkable Return Continues
Cristo Reyes continued his impressive comeback to the professional darts scene, assertively dismantling Ryan Searle. Following a six-year absence from the Pro Tour, the Spaniard once again showcased his composure and conviction. Reyes will now prepare to face either Josh Rock or William O’Connor.
Round Two Results: Afternoon Session
- Martin Schindler 4-6 Boris Krcmar
- Chris Dobey 6-0 Connor Scutt
- Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Darryl Pilgrim
- Danny Noppert 5-6 Jermaine Wattimena
- Gary Anderson 2-6 Wessel Nijman
- James Wade 0-6 Cameron Menzies
- Ross Smith 6-1 Daryl Gurney
- Ryan Searle 2-6 Cristo Reyes
Upcoming: Evening Session Matches
The drama is set to continue with an equally absorbing evening session, featuring some of the biggest names in darts:
- Josh Rock v William O’Connor
- Jonny Clayton v Adam Gawlas
- Michael Smith v Joe Cullen
- Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
- Callan Rydz v Luke Woodhouse
- Luke Humphries v Krzysztof Ratajski
- Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonneveld
- Gian van Veen v Andrew Gilding
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
