Jan Schmidt completes remarkable comeback to claim first European Tour win as Niko Springer impresses at the European Darts Open
Jan Schmidt completes remarkable comeback to claim first European Tour win as Niko Springer impresses at the European Darts Open
German prospect Jan Schmidt produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the European Tour season to claim his maiden victory on the big stage, overturning a 5-1 deficit to stun Cameron Menzies on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Open in Leverkusen.
The 21-year-old Host Nation Qualifier looked destined for an early exit at the Ostermann-Arena before reeling off five consecutive legs to complete an extraordinary turnaround and book his place in the second round.
Schmidt’s reward is a meeting with Belgian number one Mike De Decker on Saturday afternoon after announcing himself in spectacular fashion on the European Tour stage.
Reflecting on the biggest win of his career, Schmidt admitted he was struggling to take it all in.
“I don’t know what just happened,” admitted the 21-year-old.
“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.”
Day One in Leverkusen featured all 16 first-round ties, with several home favourites enjoying memorable victories in front of the German crowd.
Among the standout performers was Niko Springer, who continued his impressive rise with an emphatic 6-2 victory over Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas.
The Hungarian Darts Trophy champion averaged an outstanding 105.21 and never looked troubled as he secured his place in round two.
Springer now faces one of the toughest tests in the draw, with top seed and European Champion Gian van Veen awaiting the German youngster on Saturday for a place in the last 16.
Another home favourite to delight the Leverkusen crowd was former World Cup finalist Max Hopp.
The German produced a clinical display to eliminate former World Champion Rob Cross, converting six of his ten darts at double to record one of the biggest victories of the opening day.
However, not every German player enjoyed success.
Dominik Gruellich was unable to build on a promising start against Kevin Doets, with the Dutchman battling back impressively to claim victory.
Doets averaged just under 99, landed five maximums and recovered well after falling behind to continue his excellent form in 2026.
Joe Cullen also progressed after surviving an entertaining contest against Charlie Manby.
Although Manby eventually exited the tournament, he produced some spectacular finishing, taking out checkouts of 106, 124, 146 and 164 during an eye-catching display.
Cullen kept his composure to complete a 6-4 victory and will now take on five-time European Darts Open champion Michael van Gerwen in one of Saturday’s standout second-round matches.
There was more drama elsewhere as Rob Owen edged through a thrilling deciding-leg contest against Andrew Gilding.
The Welshman fired in eight maximums during an entertaining encounter and came agonisingly close to perfection after narrowly missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish.
Owen’s reward is a meeting with Australian number one Damon Heta in round two.
Two more deciding-leg encounters went the distance as Karel Sedlacek and Sebastian Bialecki both survived late scares to advance.
Sedlacek held his nerve after his opponent Rhys Griffin missed four match darts, while Bialecki also came through a tense finish to eliminate Irish number one William O’Connor.
It proved to be another disappointing chapter in a difficult week for Daryl Gurney.
Having narrowly missed out on qualification for this month’s Betfred World Matchplay, the Northern Irishman suffered a 6-3 defeat to Maik Kuivenhoven, who produced another composed display to secure his place in round two.
Kuivenhoven will now take on former World Matchplay champion James Wade, while Mickey Mansell booked a meeting with defending champion Nathan Aspinall after cruising to a commanding 6-1 victory over Czech qualifier Michal Smejda.
Kim Huybrechts also enjoyed a comfortable afternoon, matching that scoreline to dispatch European Tour debutant Samuel Price and continue his encouraging resurgence during the 2026 campaign.
Dutch pair Dirk van Duijvenbode and Niels Zonneveld both advanced with victories over Host Nation Qualifiers.
Van Duijvenbode proved too strong for Jaimy Van de Weerd, while Zonneveld safely negotiated his clash against Daniel Klose to move into Saturday’s second round.
Ryan Joyce had few problems in defeating Nordic & Baltic qualifier Mio Varila, and Bradley Brooks also progressed with a convincing victory over Germany’s Lukas Wenig.
The final first-round success of the day belonged to Dragutin Horvat, who capitalised on an unusually below-par display from Mario Vandenbogaerde to secure his first European Tour victory since 2023.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s second round, when the tournament’s 16 seeded players enter the competition.
Top seed Gian van Veen, defending champion Nathan Aspinall, five-time winner Michael van Gerwen and a host of the sport’s biggest names will all begin their bids for the European Darts Open title as the battle for silverware in Leverkusen intensifies.
Jan Schmidt completes remarkable comeback to claim first European Tour win as Niko Springer impresses at the European Darts Open
2026 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Open
Friday July 10
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
Evening Session
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
Saturday July 11
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Damon Heta v Rob Owen
Mike De Decker v Jan Schmidt
Luke Woodhouse v Dragutin Horvat
Danny Noppert v Sebastian Bialecki
Jermaine Wattimena v Kim Huybrechts
Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Wessel Nijman v Bradley Brooks
Krzysztof Ratajski v Max Hopp
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce
James Wade v Maik Kuivenhoven
Jonny Clayton v Karel Sedlacek
Michael van Gerwen v Joe Cullen
Gian van Veen v Niko Springer
Martin Schindler v Kevin Doets
Nathan Aspinall v Mickey Mansell
Ross Smith v Niels Zonneveld
