Karel Sedlacek (Photo PDC)
Karel Sedlacek pushed himself into the qualifying spots for the upcoming European Championship on the opening day of the Dutch Darts Championship, as Heine Uuldiks produced a brilliant fightback on home soil in Maastricht.
The Dutch Darts Championship got underway at the MECC in Maastricht on Friday, as Sedlacek swept aside Callan Rydz to move inches into the final qualifying spots for Dortmund later this month.
Czechia’s World Cup star pinned seven maximums on his way to a 6-4 victory over Rydz, as his dream run for the European Championship continues.
“That was really hard for me!” explained Sedlacek, after beating Rydz for the first time in his career.
“Callan is one of the best players in the world, I know that, but I took my chances and I won.
“I made many mistakes but I still won so I will take that.”
Sedlacek currently occupies one of the remaining spots left for the European Championship in Dortmund, and faces German number one Martin Schindler in round two, who sits in the last spot looking to end the Czech’s incredible run.
“I’m really happy for the chance to make it to Dortmund, we will see what happens tomorrow.
“I will be ready, Martin is a great player, today was the first step, tomorrow is the second, I’m ready.”
Uuldriks stole the headlines in Maastricht on Friday afternoon, as the Host Nation Qualifier got the better of Ricardo Pietreczko in a brilliant last-leg thriller.
Uuldriks fought back from 3-0 down to lead 5-4, before Pietreczko pinned a brilliant 12-dart leg to level the contest at five apiece.
The dream debut was sealed in the final leg with a brilliant 81 checkout, as Uuldriks pinned the bullseye with the German sat on 54.
“It was my first time up here, everyone told me to enjoy, but me, I just wanted to win.” explained Uuldriks, as he will face Northern Irishman Brendan Dolan tomorrow after his late call up to the Dutch Darts Championship.
“Pietreczko played brilliantly the first few legs, then I took over and then checked it out, it was unbelievable,
“A couple of weeks ago I thought that I wanted to do more in darts – this is what I came for.”
Cristo Reyes secured his spot at the European Championship next week, as the Spaniard raced past Krzysztof Kciuk, hitting four maximums on his way to a 6-2 victory.
Dutch duo Dirk van Duijvenbode and Niels Zonneveld enjoyed victories on home soil, as the pair beat James Hurrell and late call-up Mike De Decker respectively.
The pair will now face Ryan Searle and Polish number one Krzysztof Ratajski in their round two matches tomorrow afternoon.
Jimmy van Schie became the second Host Nation Qualifier to secure a win at the final European Tour event of the year, beating Kim Huybrechts in a gruelling last-leg decider, as the Belgian’s Dortmund hopes now hang in the balance.
It was another successful day for Cameron Menzies, as the Scot punished a below-par performance from Nick Kenny and will lock horns with Stephen Bunting tomorrow evening.
Ryan Joyce dispatched Owen Bates with the only whitewash victory of the day, as Dave Chisnall produced a routine performance to overcome Jonas Masalin and bolster his hopes of qualifying for Dortmund.
Sebastian Bialecki also remains in the hunt for a place at the European Championship, as the Polish number two beat late call-up Daryl Gurney to put himself £5,000 behind Schindler, who holds the last spot.
Bialecki will need a run to the semi-finals at least, and faces world number three Gian van Veen on Saturday.
Irishman Mickey Mansell was denied a place in round two in Maastricht, as he was beaten by Jeffrey De Graaf 6-3, whilst Mansell’s compatriot William O’Connor will face Michael van Gerwen tomorrow after his 6-2 victory over Host Nation Qualifier Richard Veenstra.
Andrew Gilding and Michael Smith enjoyed last-leg successes, as the pair beat Max Hopp and Stephen Burton respectively to book their places in Saturday’s action.
Scott Williams picked up his first win on the European Tour circuit in 2026 with a 6-5 victory over Niko Springer, before Australian number one Damon Heta secured a 6-4 victory over the final Host Nation Qualifier Maikel Verberk.
The Dutch Darts Championship continues with a bumper double session on Saturday, as the 16 seeded representatives enter the fray on Day Two in Maastricht.
Round One Results
Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Callan Rydz
Cameron Menzies 6-1 Nick Kenny
Jeffrey de Graaf 6-3 Mickey Mansell
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Jonas Masalin
Andrew Gilding 6-5 Max Hopp
Ryan Joyce 6-0 Owen Bates
Heine Uuldriks 6-5 Ricardo Pietreczko
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-1 James Hurrell
Sebastian Bialecki 6-4 Daryl Gurney
William O’Connor 6-2 Richard Veenstra
Scott Williams 6-5 Niko Springer
Niels Zonneveld 6-4 Mike De Decker
Jimmy van Schie 6-5 Kim Huybrechts
Cristo Reyes 6-2 Krzysztof Kciuk
Damon Heta 6-4 Maikel Verberk
Michael Smith 6-5 Stephen Burton
