The opening session of the 2026 Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel delivered an electrifying afternoon of darts, featuring incredible comebacks, high-scoring battles, and a significant upset. Fans witnessed Bradley Brooks pull off a remarkable turnaround against Niels Zonneveld, while rising star Tom Bissell stunned former Premier League finalist Joe Cullen in a thrilling decider. Rob Cross led the way with the session’s highest average, setting a high bar for the rest of the tournament.
The 2026 Swiss Darts Trophy kicked off its opening afternoon session at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, treating fans to a captivating display of darts. Eight first-round matches were completed, setting the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable tournament.
Brooks Stages Sensational Comeback in Thriller
The undisputed highlight of the session came from Bradley Brooks, who delivered a performance of sheer grit and skill. Trailing 4-2 against a formidable Niels Zonneveld, Brooks mounted a sensational comeback to clinch a 6-4 victory. This high-quality contest saw both players average over 100, with Brooks hitting 100.73 and Zonneveld not far behind at 100.17. Despite Zonneveld’s impressive tally of seven 180s, it was Brooks who held his nerve to advance.
Major Upset: Bissell Stuns Cullen in Decider
The afternoon also saw a significant shock as Tom Bissell edged out the experienced Joe Cullen 6-5 in a tense last-leg decider. Despite Cullen boasting a higher average (84.70 compared to Bissell’s 81.36), he couldn’t close out the match, allowing Bissell to claim a memorable victory and send a ripple through the draw.
Top Players Shine: High Averages and Dominant Wins
Several other top players showcased their class:
- Former World Champion Rob Cross produced the highest average of the afternoon, a superb 105.95, in a controlled 6-3 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde.
- Ireland’s William O’Connor made light work of Jani Haavisto, securing a dominant 6-1 victory with a solid 92.95 average.
- Austrian star Mensur Suljović was similarly efficient, seeing off György Jehirszki 6-3.
- Czech qualifier Karel Sedláček continued his strong form, posting an impressive 100.20 average on his way to a 6-4 win against Sebastian Bialecki.
- Niko Springer progressed comfortably, whitewashing Swiss host-nation qualifier Roman Wellinger 6-1.
- Spanish number one Cristo Reyes kept his European Championship hopes alive with a crucial 6-4 victory over Cameron Menzies.
Evening Session Promises More Thrills
The excitement is far from over, with the evening session scheduled to feature the remaining first-round ties. Fans can look forward to seeing more darting legends and rising stars in action, including appearances from the iconic Raymond van Barneveld, reigning World Champion Michael Smith, and the consistent Dave Chisnall, among others. The Swiss Darts Trophy is just getting started, promising more unmissable action.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
