Van Gerwen Stunned by Doets in All-Dutch Clash
The second evening of the European Championship in Dortmund produced a seismic shock as Michael van Gerwen was eliminated at the first hurdle, losing 6-3 to fellow Dutchman Kevin Doets. The defeat marks another significant setback in a difficult 2026 for the three-time world champion, whose frustrations were evident after the match.
Van Gerwen has historically asserted his dominance over emerging compatriots on the big stage, but he had no answer to a clinical performance from Doets. The debutant punished his more celebrated opponent at critical moments, with high-pressure finishes of 106 and 132 proving particularly damaging. Van Gerwen admitted afterwards that the succession of recent defeats was beginning to take a toll, but insisted he would continue to fight to rediscover his form.
For Doets, it represents a landmark victory. The early departure of Van Gerwen, long a dominant force in the sport, significantly alters the tournament draw and will have been noted by those following the latest best odds bookmakers for the title. The result is a statement of intent from a player making his first appearance at this event.
Littler Lays Down a Marker
In stark contrast to Van Gerwen’s struggles, world champion Luke Littler began his campaign in commanding fashion. He is chasing the one premier title that has so far eluded him in his remarkable career, and he started his quest with a ruthless 6-3 victory over Ireland’s William O’Connor.
Littler produced some formidable scoring throughout the contest, registering an average of 105 to overwhelm his opponent. It was a dominant display that sends a clear message to the rest of the 32-man field, which is composed of the top performers from the season’s 15 European Tour events. The win sets him up for the second round as he aims to add the European crown to his burgeoning collection of honours.
Schindler Wins Deciding-Leg Thriller
The German crowd was treated to a nerve-shredding encounter as home favourite Martin Schindler edged out Wessel Nijman 6-5 in a dramatic final-leg decider. The match was a story of momentum shifts, with Schindler racing into a 3-0 lead before Nijman mounted a determined comeback to force the contest all the way.
Nijman was left to rue a slow start, particularly a second leg in which he missed six darts at a double, a moment he later identified as a key failing. Despite fighting back to level the score, he could not complete the turnaround, and a self-critical Nijman accepted the blame for the defeat, acknowledging that his wait for a major televised breakthrough goes on.
For Schindler, the victory was clearly more than just a sporting result. In post-match comments, the 30-year-old spoke with notable candour about his recent struggles with self-doubt and the mental pressures of the professional circuit. He described the win as a vital breakthrough, not just for his tournament prospects but on a personal level, highlighting the importance of addressing such feelings. It was a poignant end to a tense match, securing his passage into the next round in front of his home supporters.
The second round commences on Saturday, with the evening’s action featuring a notable tie between Gerwyn Price and Cameron Menzies, as the battle for the £150,000 top prize continues at the Westfalenhallen.
