Springer dumps out champion Anderson

Niko Springer dumped out reigning champion Gary Anderson on Day Two at the European Darts Grand Prix, as Jonny Clayton delivered a darting masterclass in Sindelfingen.

The year’s fifth European Tour event continued with round two at the Glaspalast, as Anderson’s bid for a third consecutive European Darts Grand Prix title was curtailed by an assured Springer.

The talented German defied a brace of ton-plus checkouts from the Scot to complete a convincing 6-3 victory and maintain his challenge for a second European Tour title.

Springer will now take on Danny Noppert in a repeat of last year’s Hungarian Darts Trophy showpiece, after the Dutchman survived a scare to sink Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak in a bruising battle.

“He is a fantastic player [Danny]. We played the last time in Budapest when I won the final,” recalled Springer.

“I know how good he is, and I know I have to play the same level as today.”

However, the performance of the day was produced by Premier League table-topper Jonny Clayton, who averaged 106.78 in powering to a 6-1 victory against Latvia’s Valters Melderis.

The Welshman raced out of the blocks with legs of 13, 11 and 11 darts, before threatening a nine-dart finish in the closing stages of the contest.

Wessel Nijman also delivered a statement display in Sindelfingen, averaging north of 104 in a 6-2 thumping of Ryan Searle to maintain his flawless record against the World Championship semi-finalist.

“Playing Ryan Searle, I probably needed an average above 100, so I’m happy I did and happy with the way I played,” reflected the 25-year-old.

“The goal [this year] was to get into the top 16, and the next goal was to win a Euro Tour. To do that before the summer, that’s my goal achieved for the whole year.”

Nijman will continue his charge for a second European Tour title of 2026 against seventh seed Stephen Bunting, who converted 75% of his attempts at double in overcoming Mickey Mansell 6-3.

However, top seed Gian van Veen suffered an early exit at the hands of Joe Cullen, who produced a mid-match burst to advance to the last 16 of a European Tour event for the first time in 12 months.

James Wade brought an end to his five-match losing run on the European Tour, averaging 104.15 to account for a resurgent Kim Huybrechts and book a meeting with Nathan Aspinall in round three.

Aspinall began his bid for back-to-back European Tour titles with a comprehensive 6-1 win at the expense of Jeffrey de Zwaan, producing a magnificent 170 finish en route.

Michael van Gerwen also enjoyed serene progress, kicking off his pursuit of a third European Darts Grand Prix title with a resounding 6-2 victory against Michael Unterbuchner.

Gerwyn Price opened his challenge with a 6-4 win over Dave Chisnall, averaging 99.71 and firing in five 180s to set up a meeting with Chris Dobey, who swept aside last year’s runner-up Andrew Gilding.

Elsewhere, Martin Schindler joined his fellow countryman Springer in the last 16, defying a sluggish start to deny Australian number one Damon Heta 6-5 and create an enticing tussle against Clayton.

Josh Rock and Ross Smith will also go head-to-head on Finals Day, following 6-3 successes against Keane Barry and Cameron Menzies respectively.

Premier League star Rock landed 158 and 128 checkouts during an eye-catching display, while former European Champion Smith saw past Menzies, crashing in six maximums in the process.

Jermaine Wattimena averaged 99 to prevail in his all-Dutch clash against Kevin Doets, defying five 180s from his compatriot to set up a showdown against another fellow countryman in Van Gerwen.

Krzysztof Ratajski, meanwhile, will face Cullen for a place in the quarter-finals, after punishing a profligate doubling display from Belgian number one Mike De Decker in Saturday’s curtain-raiser.

The European Darts Grand Prix reaches its climax later today, as the remaining 16 players return to the stage in the afternoon, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are held in a bumper evening session.

RESULTS
Round Two: Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Mike De Decker; Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Kevin Doets; Wessel Nijman 6-2 Ryan Searle; Danny Noppert 6-5 Oskar Lukasiak; Chris Dobey 6-2 Andrew Gilding; Niko Springer 6-3 Gary Anderson; Stephen Bunting 6-3 Mickey Mansell; Josh Rock 6-3 Keane Barry; Ross Smith 6-3 Cameron Menzies; Gerwyn Price 6-4 Dave Chisnall; Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan; James Wade 6-3 Kim Huybrechts; Joe Cullen 6-3 Gian van Veen; Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Michael Unterbuchner; Martin Schindler 6-5 Damon Heta; Jonny Clayton 6-1 Valters Melderis