(Luke Littler (Photo by Taylor Lanning/PDC)
Luke Littler opened his European Championship title bid with a dazzling 6-3 victory over William O’Connor on Friday, as debutant Kevin Doets dumped out Michael van Gerwen in round one.
Littler’s hunt for the only Premier title that eludes him began in Dortmund in impressive fashion, recording a 105.05 average – the best of the tournament so far.
The World Champion struck six 180s to down Irish number one O’Connor and set up a tantalising round two clash with Nathan Aspinall.
“I’m happy with the win,” said the world number one, who picked up just his second victory at the Westfalenhalle.
“I meet Nathan again tomorrow. I’ve just got to take it game by game.
“Obviously it’s the last one missing so I can’t put too much pressure on myself. I’m just happy to get back on stage and do my job.”
Aspinall awaits Littler after reeling off four straight legs to see off Cristo Reyes, including finishes of 134, 112 and 90 to come back from behind.
Doets produced a stellar display to dispatch four-time winner Van Gerwen 6-3 on debut.
A winner on the Players Championship circuit this year, Doets followed a 106 checkout with a sublime 132 outshot on the bullseye to lead 3-0, before delivering the final blow with a 12-darter.
“It was a tough game,”assessed Doets, who will take on Krzysztof Ratajski on Saturday evening.
“The draw comes out and I get Michael… it’s still Michael van Gerwen. He is the one I looked up to for years and the most successful player from the Netherlands.
“He didn’t play like he can, but I’m really happy to win. I felt through the whole game that I was the better player.”
Ratajski recorded an eighth consecutive victory over Dave Chisnall to move into round two, with the third seed recording just a second win at the tournament in his eighth appearance.
Martin Schindler delighted an adoring home crowd with a last-leg triumph over number two seed Wessel Nijman.
The German number one – who crept into the 32-player field in the 15th and final European Tour event of the year – took out 55% of his outer-ring efforts to topple a profligate Nijman.
“I’m very happy at the moment,” professed an elated Schindler.
“I was really nervous, especially in the last leg.
“Right now I feel over the moon and very confident. Tomorrow is a new day and I will need to focus again.”
Jermaine Wattimena will lock horns with Schindler in round two, after the Dutchman saw off Ryan Joyce 6-3 despite missing two match darts for a whitewash win.
Jonny Clayton will take on Josh Rock after the pair recorded dominant wins over Niko Springer and Chris Dobey respectively.
Former World Grand Prix winner Clayton scored impressively to overpower his German opponent 6-3, while Rock rattled off six legs straight to brush aside Dobey 6-1.
The 2026 European Championship continues with a crucial double session on Saturday, as all 16 remaining players return for round two.
Defending champion Gian van Veen takes on Luke Woodhouse in the pick of the afternoon ties, while Littler and Aspinall locks horns in the evening session.
RESULTS
Round One
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Ryan Joyce
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Dave Chisnall
Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Cristo Reyes
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Niko Springer
Luke Littler 6-3 William O’Connor
Martin Schindler 6-5 Wessel Nijman
Kevin Doets 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Josh Rock 6-1 Chris Dobey
