Jan Schmidt (Photo PDC)
German youngster Jan Schmidt launched a sensational fightback to stun Cameron Menzies and claim his maiden European Tour victory last night, as Niko Springer put in a superb performance in Leverkusen.
Host Nation qualifier Schmidt stole the headlines on Day One of the European Darts Open, reeling off five straight legs from 5-1 down to triumph in improbable fashion.
“I don’t know what just happened,” admitted the 21-year-old, who faces Belgian number one Mike De Decker on Saturday afternoon.
“The first half of the match wasn’t the best, but then things just clicked and went my way.
“I really came here believing that I’m capable of winning on the European Tour, and I took this belief on to the stage.”
Friday’s action saw 16 opening round ties take place at the Ostermann-Arena, as Springer powered past Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas 6-2, averaging 105.21 in the process.
Springer – who will face Luke Littler in the opening round of the upcoming World Matchplay – now sets his sights on a showdown against top seed Gian van Veen for a place in the last 16.
Max Hopp also delighted his home crowd by claiming the scalp of former World Champion Rob Cross, pinning six of his ten attempts at double to kick off his campaign in style.
Kevin Doets halted the German charge, however, averaging almost 99 and posting five maximums during his comeback win over Dominik Gruellich.
Joe Cullen, meanwhile, will take on five-time champion Michael van Gerwen following a thrilling 6-4 success against Charlie Manby, who landed finishes of 106, 124, 146 and 164 in a losing cause.
Rob Owen crashed in eight 180s to topple Andrew Gilding in a pulsating decider, wiring double 12 for a nine-darter on his way to setting up a clash with Damon Heta in round two.
Karel Sedlacek and Sebastian Bialecki also emerged through last-leg shootouts in Leverkusen, surviving four match darts in overcoming Rhys Griffin and William O’Connor respectively.
Fresh from missing out on World Matchplay qualification, Daryl Gurney’s miserable week continued, as the Northern Irishman succumbed 6-3 to an impressive Maik Kuivenhoven.
Kuivenhoven will face ten-time TV title winner James Wade in round two, while Mickey Mansell’s reward for a 6-1 demolition of Czechia’s Michal Smejda is a tie against defending champion Nathan Aspinall.
Kim Huybrechts eased past Samuel Price by the same 6-1 scoreline, as Dutch duo Dirk van Duijvenbode and Niels Zonneveld accounted for Host Nation representatives Jaimy Van de Weerd and Daniel Klose respectively.
Elsewhere, Ryan Joyce and Bradley Brooks eased through with convincing wins over Mio Varila and Lukas Wenig, while Dragutin Horvat punished a woeful display from Mario Vandenbogaerde to register his first European Tour victory since 2023.
RESULTS
Round One
Afternoon Session
Ryan Joyce 6-1 Mio Varila
Karel Sedlacek 6-5 Rhys Griffin
Dragutin Horvat 6-2 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Rob Owen 6-5 Andrew Gilding
Jan Schmidt 6-5 Cameron Menzies
Mickey Mansell 6-1 Michal Smejda
Bradley Brooks 6-2 Lukas Wenig
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Jaimy Van de Weerd
Kim Huybrechts 6-1 Samuel Price
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Daryl Gurney
Sebastian Bialecki 6-5 William O’Connor
Max Hopp 6-3 Rob Cross
Joe Cullen 6-4 Charlie Manby
Kevin Doets 6-4 Dominik Gruellich
Niko Springer 6-2 Darius Labanauskas
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Daniel Klose
