Aspinall to Face Humphries as Springer Stuns Van Veen on an opening day of upsets in Hungary

The 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy burst into life on Friday in Budapest, as Nathan Aspinall set up a blockbuster second-round showdown with world number one Luke Humphries. A thrilling opening day at the MVM Dome saw high checkouts, maiden European Tour victories, and shock exits for several Dutch stars, leaving the stage set for a dramatic Super Saturday.

Aspinall Sets Up Humphries Clash as Opening Day Delivers Shocks

The 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy got underway in Budapest on Friday with a dramatic opening session that produced big checkouts, high averages, and several surprise results. By the end of Day One, the stage was set for a thrilling second round, headlined by a mouth-watering clash between Nathan Aspinall and world number one Luke Humphries.

Aspinall Impresses with Opening Win

Nathan Aspinall wasted no time in booking his place in Saturday’s evening session. The Stockport star, chasing a third European Tour crown of the year, breezed past Hungarian World Cup representative Levente Sarai with a 6-0 whitewash.

Aspinall sealed the victory in style, pinning a superb 164 finish on the bull to round off a performance that saw him average just over 101. His reward is a heavyweight battle against Humphries, with the pair meeting for the latest chapter in what has quickly become one of darts’ most entertaining rivalries.

“I’m really pleased with how I played tonight,” Aspinall said afterwards. “Luke is world number one for a reason. Every time we meet, the matches are fantastic. I’ll respect his game, but I also believe in myself. I know I’ve got what it takes to win.”

Blockbuster Matches Await

Saturday’s schedule promises fireworks. Alongside Aspinall’s showdown with Humphries, fans will be treated to Joe Cullen facing Luke Littler in what is already being billed as one of the ties of the round. Cullen, who won this event in 2022, survived three match darts against Lukas Wenig to keep his campaign alive, setting up a high-profile meeting with the teenage sensation.

“Luke is an incredible talent,” said Cullen, who lifted a ProTour title earlier this month. “But I’ve beaten him before, and I know I can do it again. I’ll have to be at my best, but that’s the challenge I want.”

Elsewhere, defending champion Michael van Gerwen enters the fray against Matthew Dennant. The Dutchman is bidding for back-to-back titles in Budapest, while Dennant will look to cause a major upset after ousting Andrew Gilding in his opener.

Springer Stuns Van Veen

One of the biggest stories on Day One came courtesy of Germany’s Niko Springer, who ended Gian van Veen’s campaign with a 6-3 victory. Van Veen, last year’s runner-up, fired in six maximums and averaged close to 106, but Springer was ice-cool on the outer ring, landing six of his eight doubles to progress.

Springer’s triumph capped a difficult day for the Dutch contingent, with Wessel Nijman, Dirk van Duijvenbode, and Jermaine Wattimena also crashing out.

Maiden Wins and Big Finishes

Two players celebrating their first-ever victories on the European Tour were Darren Beveridge and Tom Bissell. Beveridge overcame Nijman in a scrappy affair, while Bissell pulled off a superb result by eliminating Van Duijvenbode. Wattimena was also left frustrated, losing a deciding leg to French star Thibault Tricole, who continues to make waves on the continental stage.

There was no such trouble for Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld, who rolled back the years with a 6-2 win against Hungarian hopeful Nandor Major. That victory keeps alive Barney’s hopes of qualifying for the upcoming World Grand Prix and European Championship. He now faces a blockbuster tie against 2023 champion Dave Chisnall.

Richard Veenstra also booked his place in round two, averaging 97 in a 6-3 success against Cam Crabtree to set up a tough clash with Gerwyn Price.

More Highlights from Budapest

Rob Owen grabbed one of the results of the day, edging Ryan Searle in a dramatic last-leg decider despite his opponent averaging over a ton. Owen’s prize is a meeting with Dutch number two Danny Noppert.

Meanwhile, Luke Woodhouse survived a spirited display from Hungarian crowd favourite Andras Borbely, who thrilled fans with a 170 checkout before eventually bowing out 6-4.

Ryan Joyce impressed with two ton-plus checkouts in his 6-2 win over European Champion Ritchie Edhouse, booking a match against Martin Schindler. Schindler’s compatriot Ricardo Pietreczko also advanced, hammering Jim Williams 6-1 with a show-stopping 146 finish.

World Cup champion Daryl Gurney was another standout, taking out a 140 finish on his way to a 6-1 win over Leon Weber. His next challenge is former World Champion Rob Cross in one of Saturday’s standout ties.

Elsewhere, Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts cruised past debutant Andreas Hyllgaardhus, while Cameron Menzies ended his recent struggles with a 6-1 victory over Hungary’s Nandor Pres.

Super Saturday Awaits

Round Two will be contested across two sessions on Saturday, with fans set for a bumper day of action. Humphries against Aspinall, Littler’s opener against Cullen, and Van Gerwen beginning his title defence are just some of the highlights on a packed schedule.

If Day One in Budapest is any indication, darts fans can expect more drama, high scoring, and tension as the road to Sunday’s final heats up.

Aspinall to Face Humphries as Springer Stuns Van Veen on an opening day of upsets in Hungary

Friday September 19

Round One

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Matthew Dennant 6-4 Andrew Gilding

Cameron Menzies 6-1 Nandor Pres

Ryan Joyce 6-2 Ritchie Edhouse

Ricardo Pietreczko 6-1 Jim Williams

Kim Huybrechts 6-2 Andreas Hyllgaardhus

Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Andras Borbely

Darren Beveridge 6-2 Wessel Nijman

Tom Bissell 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

Thibault Tricole 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena

Rob Owen 6-5 Ryan Searle

Daryl Gurney 6-1 Leon Weber

Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Nandor Major

Richard Veenstra 6-3 Cam Crabtree

Joe Cullen 6-5 Lukas Wenig

Niko Springer 6-3 Gian van Veen

Nathan Aspinall 6-0 Levente Sarai