Belgian Stars Light Up Opening Day of Flanders Darts Trophy

The Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy got underway in Antwerp on Friday, and it was a night to remember for the home crowd as Mike De Decker, Kim Huybrechts and Mario Vandenbogaerde all picked up wins to reach the second round of the European Tour event.

For a nation that has seen its darts scene steadily grow over the past decade, the sight of three Belgian players producing victories on home soil marked one of the standout opening days on the Euro Tour this season.

De Decker digs deep

Mike De Decker, Belgium’s current number one and reigning World Grand Prix champion, led the charge. In a gritty clash against Martin Lukeman, neither player produced their best form, but De Decker found the right moments when it mattered most.

The match turned in the closing stages, and De Decker sealed a 6-3 victory with a superb 84 checkout on the bullseye—much to the delight of the Antwerp crowd.

“Every opportunity I got, I took it,” De Decker said afterwards. “I’m really happy with the doubles, but hopefully tomorrow the trebles go a bit better! The crowd in Belgium has been amazing for the last couple of years, and it’s no different this year in Antwerp. They have been brilliant and hopefully I’ll see them all again tomorrow.”

The win sets up a mouth-watering second-round tie against Germany’s top-ranked player Martin Schindler, as De Decker aims to make a second European Tour final on home soil this season.

Huybrechts’ emotional homecoming

If De Decker’s win was professional and composed, Kim Huybrechts’ success was raw emotion. Playing in his hometown, Huybrechts—who only secured his place through Thursday’s Host Nation Qualifier—was roared on by a passionate Antwerp crowd as he battled to a 6-5 win over Lukas Wenig.

The final leg was tense, but “The Hurricane” used every ounce of experience to get across the line in front of family, friends and supporters.

“I’ve played in the Premier League, I’ve reached the quarter-finals of a World Championship, I’ve played major finals, but I’ve never been so nervous as today,” admitted Huybrechts. “This is going to be in the top three of my best moments in life. To my hometown, I have to say thank you—they helped me.”

Huybrechts’ reward is a clash with James Wade, a player he has shared the stage with on countless occasions over the years. For the Belgian, it represents another chance to create memories in front of his home fans.

Vandenbogaerde knocks out former World Champion

The Belgian treble was completed by Mario Vandenbogaerde, who claimed one of the biggest wins of his career by knocking out 2023 World Champion Michael Smith in another dramatic 6-5 contest.

Vandenbogaerde held his nerve in the decider, producing timely scoring and steady finishing to edge past the former world number one. His victory sets up a second-round meeting with Jonny Clayton in Saturday evening’s final tie.

Belgians beaten, but drama everywhere

It wasn’t all Belgian joy on day one, however. Former five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld recovered from 2-0 down to defeat Belgian qualifier Xanti van den Bergh 6-3, while Ireland’s Dylan Slevin also ended home hopes with a 6-3 win over Francois Schweyen.

Elsewhere, there were standout performances across the session. Germany’s Leon Weber overcame Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 despite averaging ten points fewer, and will now take on reigning Flanders Darts Trophy champion Dave Chisnall.

Dutch youngster Gian van Veen impressed with a brilliant 155 checkout in his 6-2 victory over Adam Gawlas, setting up a blockbuster all-Dutch clash with Michael van Gerwen. Ryan Joyce also advanced, surviving a last-leg decider against Ricardo Pietreczko before being handed a Bye into Sunday’s finals day following the withdrawal of Gerwyn Price due to an infected hand.

Czech star Karel Sedlacek upset Wessel Nijman in another tight contest, defying a ton-plus average from the Dutchman to book a tie with Josh Rock.

Other notable results

Luke Woodhouse produced one of the performances of the round, averaging just shy of 103 in a 6-1 demolition of Johan Engstrom, earning him a meeting with Peter Wright.

Former BDO World Champion Christian Kist rolled back the years with a 6-5 win over Cameron Menzies, sealing the match with a stunning 123 checkout before finishing in 13 darts. He now faces Damon Heta, the number one Australian on the circuit.

Polish ace Krzysztof Ratajski, who only entered the draw after losing in qualifying but being granted a place as an alternate, made the most of his opportunity by defeating Steve Lennon 6-3. Austrian legend Mensur Suljovic also delighted fans with a 6-4 success against Andrew Gilding. Ratajski and Suljovic will now face Premier League stars Chris Dobey and Rob Cross respectively.

What’s next?

With the seeds entering the fray on Saturday, day two of the Flanders Darts Trophy promises to deliver even more drama. The likes of Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall join the action, alongside Belgian hopes De Decker, Huybrechts and Vandenbogaerde.

Live coverage continues on PDCTV from 1200 BST (1300 CEST), as Antwerp gets set for a thrilling weekend of European Tour darts.

Belgian Stars Light Up Opening Day of Flanders Darts Trophy

2025 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy

Friday August 29

First Round

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Leon Weber 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena

Dylan Slevin 6-3 Francois Schweyen

Luke Woodhouse 6-1 Johan Engstrom

Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Lukas Wenig

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Steve Lennon

Christian Kist 6-5 Cameron Menzies

Mensur Suljovic 6-4 Andrew Gilding

Gian van Veen 6-2 Adam Gawlas

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-5 Michael Smith

Ryan Joyce 6-5 Ricardo Pietreczko

Joe Cullen 6-1 Ian White

Karel Sedlacek 6-5 Wessel Nijman

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Jeffrey De Graaf

Daryl Gurney 6-3 Callan Rydz

Mike De Decker 6-3 Martin Lukeman

Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 Xanti Van den Bergh

Saturday August 30

Second Round

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Rob Cross v Mensur Suljovic

Peter Wright v Luke Woodhouse

Dave Chisnall v Leon Weber

Josh Rock v Karel Sedlacek

Damon Heta v Christian Kist

Chris Dobey v Krzysztof Ratajski

Danny Noppert v Dirk van Duijvenbode

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

James Wade v Kim Huybrechts

Ryan Searle v Raymond van Barneveld

Ross Smith v Daryl Gurney

Stephen Bunting v Joe Cullen

Luke Littler v Dylan Slevin

Michael van Gerwen v Gian van Veen

Martin Schindler v Mike De Decker

Jonny Clayton v Mario Vandenbogaerde

Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from the Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy this weekend due to an infected hand. As Price withdrew after the tournament had begun, Ryan Joyce will receive a Bye straight into Round Three, whilst Ross Smith now takes on Daryl Gurney in the third match of the evening session on Saturday.