Cameron Menzies stars on the opening day of the European Darts Grand Prix “I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time”
Cameron Menzies stars on the opening day of the European Darts Grand Prix “I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time”
Cameron Menzies produced one of the standout performances on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, as several former champions suffered early exits in Sindelfingen.
The fifth European Tour event of the year got underway at the Glaspalast, where Menzies stole the spotlight with an impressive 6-3 victory over Raymond van Barneveld. The Scotsman delivered a clinical late surge, firing in legs of 11, 13 and 13 darts to close out the contest with a 104.5 average, marking his fifth consecutive win over the Dutch legend.
“I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time,” said Menzies, who will now face Ross Smith in the second round.
“I think every time I’ve played Barney I’ve played out of my skin, so I may not be on his Christmas card list this year!
“I love and respect Raymond. He was a hero of mine growing up, but that was arguably my best game this year.”
Van Barneveld was not the only high-profile casualty. Former World Champions Rob Cross and Peter Wright also exited at the first hurdle. Cross, who lifted this title in 2023, was beaten 6-2 by Mickey Mansell, who averaged 100.32 in a commanding display to set up a clash with Stephen Bunting.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey de Zwaan overcame Wright in a hard-fought encounter, earning a second-round tie against Nathan Aspinall, who arrives in Sindelfingen fresh from his German Darts Grand Prix triumph.
Another former champion, Ian White, also bowed out, losing 6-2 to Wessel Nijman. Nijman, in excellent form this season, is targeting a fifth ranking title of 2026.
There was better news for Kim Huybrechts, who avoided joining the list of early exits by defeating Dirk van Duijvenbode to kick off his bid for a second title at this event.
Home favourite Niko Springer impressed with a dominant 6-1 win over debutant Robin Masino, setting up a high-profile meeting with defending champion Gary Anderson.
Fellow German Michael Unterbuchner also delighted the home crowd, producing three ton-plus checkouts in a deciding-leg victory over William O’Connor. He now faces two-time champion Michael van Gerwen.
Elsewhere, Joe Cullen eased into round two with a 6-1 win over Maik Kuivenhoven, booking a clash with top seed Gian van Veen.
A standout tie in the next round will see Dave Chisnall face Gerwyn Price, after Chisnall battled past Petr Krivka 6-4.
Keane Barry impressed with a 6-3 win over Niels Zonneveld, sealing the victory with clinical 124 and 130 finishes to earn a meeting with Josh Rock.
Kevin Doets progressed after holding off a spirited comeback from Jurjen van der Velde, setting up an all-Dutch clash with Jermaine Wattimena.
Damon Heta also came through a tough test against Madars Razma, and will now meet German number one Martin Schindler.
There was success for Razma’s World Cup partner Valters Melderis, who edged out Karel Sedlacek, while Oskar Lukasiak survived a dramatic fightback from Daryl Gurney to progress.
Rounding off the day’s action, Andrew Gilding and Krzysztof Ratajski completed the second-round line-up with victories over Host Nation representatives Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz respectively.
The tournament continues on Saturday, when the top 16 players on the PDC Order of Merit enter the competition, with reigning champion Anderson among the headline names set to begin their campaigns in Sindelfingen.
Cameron Menzies stars on the opening day of the European Darts Grand Prix
2026 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix
Friday April 17
Round One
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
Evening Session
Michael Unterbuchner 6-5 William O’Connor
Joe Cullen 6-1 Maik Kuivenhoven
Jeffrey de Zwaan 6-3 Peter Wright
Cameron Menzies 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Damon Heta 6-4 Madars Razma
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Oskar Lukasiak 6-5 Daryl Gurney
Niko Springer 6-1 Robin Masino
Saturday April 18
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Mike De Decker v Krzysztof Ratajski
Jermaine Wattimena v Kevin Doets
Ryan Searle v Wessel Nijman
Danny Noppert v Oskar Lukasiak
Chris Dobey v Andrew Gilding
Gary Anderson v Niko Springer
Stephen Bunting v Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock v Keane Barry
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Ross Smith v Cameron Menzies
Gerwyn Price v Dave Chisnall
Nathan Aspinall v Jeffrey de Zwaan
James Wade v Kim Huybrechts
Gian van Veen v Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen v Michael Unterbuchner
Martin Schindler v Damon Heta
Jonny Clayton v Valters Melderis
