The 2026 European Darts Championship served up a tale of two champions on day one. Luke Littler powered through to round two with a 6-3 win over William O’Connor, while three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen crashed out at the first-round stage in Dortmund.
The 19-year-old world champion hit six 180s and averaged a blistering 105 across three darts in his 6-3 victory — his first match since a surprise semi-final defeat at the World Youth Championship in early October.
(Credits: BBC Sport)
Littler Beats O’Connor 6-3, Sets Up Aspinall Clash
Littler, the world number one, will next face Nathan Aspinall, who beat Cristo Reyes 6-3, as he chases the one major missing from his cabinet: the European Championship itself.
“I’ve just got to take it one game at a time, and obviously it’s the last one missing, so I can’t be putting too much pressure on myself,” Littler said. “I’m just happy to get back on stage and do my job.”
Van Gerwen Knocked Out by Kevin Doets in Round One
In the shock of the night, Van Gerwen, 37, was comprehensively beaten 6-3 by fellow Dutchman Kevin Doets after going 5-1 down. The 28-year-old Doets now faces Krzysztof Ratajski, a 6-2 winner over Dave Chisnall, in the last 16.
Elsewhere, Jonny Clayton and Josh Rock set up a last-16 meeting after 6-3 and 6-1 wins over Niko Springer and Chris Dobey respectively, while Germany’s Martin Schindler edged Wessel Nijman 6-5 in a deciding leg to book a clash with Jermaine Wattimena.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
