The European Darts Trophy in Gottingen returned to the PDC European Tour in 2025, the first edition of the tournament since 2018.

Jermaine Wattimena is seen as one of the next first-time PDC title winners and a European Tour title win could be just that. He started his campaign in Germany by dispatching the well-established man from Finland in Marko Kantele 6-2.

Despite hitting a 170 finish, Alan Soutar succumbed to defeat against fellow Scot Cameron Menzies by the same scoreline, 6-2. There were eight 180s in eight legs with both players averaging 99.

Callan Rydz missed the Players Championship events at the start of the week due to Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win, and his rustiness was evident as he averaged just 80 in a 6-2 defeat to Andrew Gilding.

Next up in Gottingen was the reigning European Champion Ritchie Edhouse, and he was taking on an in-form Kevin Doets. Doets had reached at least the quarter-final stage in the last four Players Championship events. He failed to replicate that form as he was comfortably beaten by ‘Madhouse’.

Boris Krcmar lost his PDC Tour Card at the beginning of 2025, but after just two PDC European Tour events in 2025, he has already qualified for more than the previous year. The Croatian beat one Dutchman in Michael van Gerwen last week, and it was Dirk van Duijvenbode who was sent packing this week in the opening round.

Wessel Nijman was taken to a last leg decider in Wieze against a host-nation qualifier, and history repeated itself in Gottingen. However, once again, Nijman got the better of his opponent, sending Paul Krohne packing on his European Tour debut.

The performance of the afternoon came from Ross Smith, averaging 106.44 in a 6-1 rout of Michael Unterbuchner. ‘Smudger’ is looking to win his first ever European Tour title in 2025, after final heartbreak in 2024.

Luke Woodhouse was the last man to book his spot in Round Two in the afternoon session, sending home another European Tour debutant qualifier in Dominik Gruellich, by a 6-4 scoreline.

The first game in the evening session provided the German crowd with something to celebrate, as young Niko Springer sent the former two-time major champion Daryl Gurney home.

It was an all German affair next between Ricardo Pietreczko and former Pro Tour finalist Daniel Klose. the game was even in the opening stages but it was Pikachu who advanced.

Joe Cullen had a torrid 2024 but he had started 2025 in much better form, already picking up a title. However, his much improved form had halted in his game against Ryan Joyce. ‘The Rockstar’, averaging a measly 80 and losing 6-0.

It was back-to-back whitewashes at the European Darts Trophy, as Ryan Searle whitewashed Laurin Welk 6-0 to set up a clash against Gerwyn Price.

An emotional Ricky Evans put in a brilliant performance to get his first stage win against the five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld. He will play Dave Chisnall in the next round.

Mike De Decker was a finalist last time out at the Belgian Darts Open but lost out on that occasion to Luke Littler. He seed off Grand Slam finalist Martin Lukeman 6-3 to ensure he was in the second day of action at the European Darts Trophy.

The last game of the day was a belter between Gian van Veen and Connor Scutt. Van Veen won his maiden PDC title a few weeks ago but needed to battle hard to beat Scutt, surviving five match darts.

 

2025 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Trophy – European Tour 2

Friday March 21

First Round

Afternoon Session

Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Marko Kantele

Cameron Menzies 6-2 Alan Soutar

Andrew Gilding 6-2 Callan Rydz

Ritchie Edhouse 6-2 Kevin Doets

Boris Krcmar 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Wessel Nijman 6-5 Paul Krohne

Ross Smith 6-1 Michael Unterbuchner

Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Dominik Gruellich

Evening Session

Niko Springer 6-4 Daryl Gurney

Ricardo Pietreczko 6-3 Daniel Klose

Ryan Joyce 6-0 Joe Cullen

Ryan Searle 6-0 Laurin Welk

Ricky Evans 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld

Mike De Decker 6-3 Martin Lukeman

Martin Schindler 6-2 Adam Hunt

Gian van Veen 6-5 Connor Scutt

Saturday March 22

Second Round

Afternoon Session

Danny Noppert v Wessel Nijman

James Wade v Ross Smith

Rob Cross v Andrew Gilding

Damon Heta v Cameron Menzies

Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena

Michael Smith v Ricardo Pietreczko

Josh Rock v Gian van Veen

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Ryan Joyce

Evening Session

Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse

Gerwyn Price v Ryan Searle

Dave Chisnall v Ricky Evans

Peter Wright v Mike De Decker

Michael van Gerwen v Niko Springer

Luke Humphries v Boris Krcmar

Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler

Nathan Aspinall v Ritchie Edhouse