The second round of the Dutch Darts Championship brought an evening of unparalleled drama, featuring a new European Tour record average set by Gian van Veen (120.24). However, the night was also defined by stunning upsets, as home favorite Michael van Gerwen and last week’s champion Jonny Clayton both crashed out unexpectedly. Stephen Bunting secured his crucial spot in the European Championship, while Cristo Reyes capped off the session with another exceptional performance, averaging over 110.
Unprecedented Performance: Gian van Veen Rewrites History
Darts history was made as Gian van Veen delivered an astonishing performance, achieving a new European Tour record average of 120.24. This incredible feat surpasses Dave Chisnall’s long-standing record of 118.66 set in Hildesheim back in 2018.
Van Veen’s masterclass unfolded during his 6-0 whitewash victory over Sebastian Bialecki. A whitewash means one player wins every single leg without their opponent winning any. Van Veen consistently hit low-dart legs (12, 12, 13, 13, 11, and 14 darts) and was even on the brink of an even higher average. Had he hit a 127 bullseye finish in the final leg, his average would have soared to an unbelievable 123.53. Bialecki, unfortunately, never even had a shot at a double, and this defeat also cost him his place in the upcoming European Championship.
Major Upsets Shake the Tournament
The night was filled with unexpected twists, as several top players faced early exits.
Michael van Gerwen’s Home Heartbreak
In front of his home crowd in Maastricht, Dutch superstar Michael van Gerwen suffered a narrow 5-6 defeat against a resilient William O’Connor. Despite a strong showing, Van Gerwen’s journey ended prematurely. The match was a tense affair, with both players trading blows. A critical moment saw Van Gerwen miss three crucial darts at D16, allowing O’Connor to break throw. The deciding leg was particularly dramatic: Van Gerwen struggled to find a triple, while O’Connor seized the opportunity, hitting a 180 to leave 121, which he then impressively checked out on the bullseye for the victory.
Jonny Clayton’s Shock Exit
Fresh off his victory at the Swiss Darts Trophy last week, Jonny Clayton was also eliminated in a surprisingly one-sided 1-6 loss to Damon Heta. Heta started strong with a 14- and 12-dart leg, including a 126 finish. Clayton managed to win only one leg, as the Australian swiftly powered through to the next round, setting up a clash with Martin Schindler.
European Championship Spots Secured
For some players, the Dutch Darts Championship was about more than just the tournament itself; it was a battle for qualification to the prestigious European Championship.
- Stephen Bunting: “The Bullet” secured his vital spot in the European Championship with a convincing 6-2 victory over Cameron Menzies. Bunting efficiently pulled away to a 4-1 lead and, despite a 150 finish from Menzies, closed out the match to earn the crucial £5,000 prize money needed for qualification.
- Michael Smith: Unfortunately for Michael Smith, his 1-6 defeat to Nathan Aspinall dashed his final hopes of qualifying for the European Championship. Aspinall played a strong match, including a crucial 132 bullseye checkout, leaving Smith out of contention unless Brendan Dolan wins the tournament, which would then hand the last ticket to Karel Sedlacek.
Other Notable Performances
The evening session also featured other compelling matches:
- Cristo Reyes: Concluded the session with a fantastic 110.26 average in his 6-2 win against Chris Dobey. Reyes’s consistent scoring, including legs of 11, 14, 11, and 14 darts, was outstanding. Dobey managed to avoid a whitewash with a 96 finish and even claimed a second leg, but Reyes ultimately sealed his dominant performance with a 70 finish.
- Gerwyn Price: “The Iceman” started the evening by securing a 6-3 victory over Scott Williams. Price began with a 106 finish against the throw and, despite a brief comeback from Williams, maintained control to advance.
- Jermaine Wattimena: In an all-Dutch encounter, Wattimena comfortably defeated Jimmy van Schie 6-2. Wattimena established an early 4-0 lead with four 17-dart legs, eventually closing out the match with an 86 checkout.
The Road to the Final: Sunday’s Schedule
The Dutch Darts Championship 2026 culminates on Sunday, October 18th, with a thrilling day of darts action.
Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST): Last 16
The competition intensifies with the following matchups:
- Gian van Veen vs. Brendan Dolan
- Ryan Searle vs. Ross Smith
- William O’Connor vs. Luke Woodhouse
- Danny Noppert vs. Jermaine Wattimena
- Gerwyn Price vs. Niels Zonneveld
- Wessel Nijman vs. Cristo Reyes
- Damon Heta vs. Martin Schindler
- Stephen Bunting vs. Nathan Aspinall
Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST): Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final
The evening will see the tournament champions crowned:
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Grand Final
Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament boasts a total prize fund of £230,000. The winner will take home a significant £35,000. It’s important to note that for prize money to count towards the PDC Order of Merit, Pro Tour Order of Merit, and European Tour Order of Merit, players must win their first-round match. Losing in the first round still provides prize money, but it doesn’t contribute to these 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
Where to Watch the Action
Fans can follow the drama live. The Dutch Darts Championship, like other major darts tournaments, is typically broadcast on dedicated sports streaming services. In Europe, platforms such as DAZN and Pluto TV often provide live and high-definition coverage of these events, allowing viewers to watch on various devices like smart TVs, smartphones, PCs, laptops, and tablets.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
