Mickey Mansell shocks former World Champion in European Grand prix opening session

Niels Zonnerveld’s recent scintillating Euro Tour run came to an abrupt and premature halt, ousted early by the ever-improving Keane Barry. In his previous three outings, Triple Z had progressed to the final session, including back-to-back semi-final appearances. That impressive sequence was emphatically curtailed as Dynamite surged from 3-3, reeling off a trio of consecutive legs to seal victory. The Irishman’s reward is an all Emerald Isle encounter with Josh Rock.

Always a perilous and stealth-like opponent, Krzysztof Ratajski brushed aside home nation qualifier Michael Hurtz. The 6-3 scoreline somewhat flatters the contest, largely due to the Polish Eagle spurning multiple opportunities to close it out earlier. Having stormed into a 3-0 lead, Ratajski squandered chances to wrap proceedings up sooner, but ultimately, the manner of victory is immaterial. He now sets his sights on 2024 Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker.

Another who has been quietly impressive this season is Kevin Doets, and the Dutchman will be eager to sustain that upward trajectory following a well-earned victory over compatriot Jurjen van der Velde. Mirroring the pattern of the preceding contest, Hawkeye surged into a commanding 3-0 lead before sealing the win with slightly less ferocity thereafter. Fresh from a recent semi-final run in Munich - his deepest Euro Tour venture to date - Doets must now overcome fellow Dutchman and stablemate Jermaine Wattimena if he is to replicate that feat.

Andrew Gilding is another who has markedly elevated his level in recent weeks, reaching the quarter-finals in the last Euro Tour event and embarking on a semi-final jaunt in Wigan just days ago. Once again, Goldfinger underlined his enduring quality with a composed display to dispatch home qualifier Paul Krohne. The 55-year-old Englishman enjoyed a strong run in Sindelfingen last year, ultimately denied the title by Gary Anderson. Another deep progression would be most welcome, although Chris Dobey stands firmly in his path.

Ireland’s Mickey Mansell continues to prove a persistent thorn in the side of former PDC World Champions, with his latest exploits seeing Rob Cross removed from the equation courtesy of a devastating performance. Michael Smith has previously been on the receiving end, and now another Ally Pally conqueror felt the weight of Mansell’s resurgence. The Clonoe Cyclone opted for a last-minute dart switch, a decision that paid immediate dividends as he registered his first Euro Tour ton-plus average in three years. For Voltage, aspirations of reaching the World Matchplay are beginning to fade. Mansell now faces yet another world champion - Stephen Bunting, who lifted his crown at Lakeside.

Bringing the afternoon session to a close and securing his place in round two was a familiar name in Dave Chisnall. The St Helens thrower, an eight-time Euro Tour champion, most recently tasted success two years ago in Belgium. Against Czech representative Petr Krivka, it was a contest Chisnall was widely expected to navigate – and despite the plucky Eastern European qualifier making a good fist of things – the man in yellow got over the line, setting up a compelling clash with Gerwyn Price.

That concludes the opening session of this year’s European Darts Grand Prix, with half of Saturday’s seeded contingent now fully aware of their first opponents.

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The evening session promises further intrigue, featuring a host of illustrious names including former champions Kim Huybrechts and Peter Wright. Add major winners such as Joe Cullen, Raymond van Barneveld and Daryl Gurney into the equation, and it shapes up as a high-calibre, compelling line-up primed to deliver.

2026 EUROPEAN DARTS GRAND PRIX (ET5)

Sindelfingen, Germany (17-19 April)

Round One: Friday Afternoon Session

Valters Melderis 6-5 Karel Sedlacek

Wessel Nijman 6-2 Ian White

Keane Barry 6-3 Niels Zonneveld

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Michael Hurtz

Kevin Doets 6-4 Jurjen van der Velde

Andrew Gilding 6-3 Paul Krohne

Mickey Mansell 6-2 Rob Cross

Dave Chisnall 6-4 Petr Krivka

Round One: Friday Evening Session

William O’Connor v Michael Unterbuchner

Joe Cullen v Maik Kuivenhoven

Peter Wright v Jeffrey de Zwaan

Cameron Menzies v Raymond van Barneveld

Damon Heta v Madars Razma

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Kim Huybrechts

Daryl Gurney v Oskar Lukasiak

Niko Springer v Robin Masino

Round Two: Saturday Afternoon Session

Mike De Decker v Krzysztof Ratajski

Jermaine Wattimena v Kevin Doets

Ryan Searle v Wessel Nijman

Danny Noppert v Gurney/Lukasiak

Chris Dobey v Andrew Gilding

Gary Anderson v Springer/Masino

Stephen Bunting v Mickey Mansell

Josh Rock v Keane Barry

Round Two: Saturday Evening Session

Ross Smith v Menzies/Van Barneveld

Gerwyn Price v Dave Chisnall

Nathan Aspinall v Wright/De Zwaan

James Wade v Van Duijvenbode/Huybrechts

Gian van Veen v Cullen/Kuivenhoven

Michael van Gerwen v O’Connor/Unterbuchner

Martin Schindler v Heta/Razma

Jonny Clayton v Valters Melderis

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