Gian Van Veen Smashes European Tour Record as Schindler and Bunting Seal Dortmund Spots
Gian Van Veen Smashes European Tour Record as Schindler and Bunting Seal Dortmund Spots
Gian van Veen produced a performance for the ages at the Dutch Darts Championship, smashing the European Tour average record with an astonishing 120.24 in Maastricht on Saturday.
The former World Championship finalist whitewashed Sebastian Bialecki in just nine minutes and 47 seconds, obliterating Dave Chisnall’s previous record of 118.66, which had stood since 2018.
Van Veen’s extraordinary display headlined the conclusion of the second-round action at the MECC, as Martin Schindler and Stephen Bunting also secured their places at next weekend’s European Championship in Dortmund.
The European Champion will now head into his title defence in sensational form after producing one of the greatest performances ever witnessed on the European Tour.
“I’m tired!” Van Veen joked after making history in Maastricht.
“I knew I was playing well, I wanted to hit that bullseye in that last leg.
“The average is nice, it’s fantastic to have that record, but it’s another win and that’s what matters.
“It shows that I’ve still got it in my locker, I’m still here.”
While Van Veen stole the headlines, Schindler had his own reason to celebrate after winning a crucial qualification showdown against Karel Sedlacek.
The German number one entered the contest level with the Czech star in the European Championship rankings, knowing victory would guarantee his place in Dortmund.
Schindler rose to the occasion, firing in a spectacular 164 checkout in the opening leg before completing a 6-4 success to end the uncertainty surrounding his qualification.
The result was particularly significant for the German, who has endured a difficult spell of form in recent months.
“I’m feeling emotional. It was a really, really important win for me today. I am so happy,” Schindler admitted.
“I’m not in the very best phase at the moment, so I need to fight for every win. It wasn’t happening for me on the European Tour for a couple of months.
“I was never doubting or distrusting myself. I knew I needed to win.
“I looked fear in the eye, and I won that one and I am happy about it.”
Sedlacek must now wait nervously to discover whether his impressive qualification campaign will be enough to earn him a place in Dortmund.
Brendan Dolan remains the only player capable of pushing the Czech out of the qualifying positions, having defeated home qualifier Heine Uuldriks 6-4 to set up a third-round meeting with Van Veen.
Bunting also left it late to confirm his European Championship qualification, with the sixth seed overcoming already-qualified Cameron Menzies 6-2.
The 41-year-old delivered a clinical display on the outer ring, converting six of his ten attempts at double to move into the qualification places and eliminate Kim Huybrechts from contention.
“For the last few weeks I have been nervous, needing to win is a lot more difficult than already being in the tournament, but thankfully I won tonight,” Bunting explained.
“There are a lot of demons in my head, people doubt me but I know how good I can be.”
Nathan Aspinall brought Michael Smith’s qualification hopes to an end with a ruthless 6-1 victory over the former World Champion.
The World Grand Prix semi-finalist averaged above 102 to progress in convincing fashion, leaving Smith unable to mount a challenge as his hopes of reaching Dortmund disappeared.
There was plenty of success for the Dutch contingent, with Wessel Nijman and Danny Noppert both progressing on home soil.
Nijman defeated Jeffrey de Graaf, while Noppert overcame Chisnall to book their places in Sunday’s action.
Niels Zonneveld also continued his impressive run, surviving a deciding-leg battle against Krzysztof Ratajski while firing in seven maximums for the second consecutive match.
Compatriot Jermaine Wattimena enjoyed a more comfortable passage, defeating Host Nation Qualifier Jimmy van Schie 6-2.
However, there was disappointment for Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen, who suffered a dramatic 6-5 defeat to William O’Connor.
The Irishman produced three sensational ton-plus checkouts of 136, 131 and 121 to claim one of the day’s biggest upsets and send the former world number one crashing out.
European Tour ranking leader Ross Smith will face Ryan Searle in the third round after both players progressed, with Smith defeating Ryan Joyce and Searle overcoming Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Damon Heta also made a statement, averaging above 103 in a dominant 6-1 victory over Jonny Clayton to record his first win against the Welshman since May last year.
Luke Woodhouse comfortably dispatched Andrew Gilding, while Gerwyn Price marked his return to the European Tour stage with a 6-3 victory over Scott Williams.
Cristo Reyes provided a fitting finale to the second-round action, producing another sensational performance to defeat Chris Dobey 6-2.
The Spaniard averaged above 110 and converted 60% of his attempts at double to book his place in the last 16, underlining the threat he could pose as the tournament reaches its business end.
With the final 16 now confirmed, the Dutch Darts Championship concludes on Sunday with a bumper double session in Maastricht, as the remaining contenders battle for the title and the final qualification places are settled ahead of the European Championship.
Gian Van Veen Smashes European Tour Record as Schindler and Bunting Seal Dortmund Spots
2026 Elten Safety Shoes Dutch Darts Championship
Saturday October 17
Round Two
Afternoon Session
Martin Schindler 6-4 Karel Sedlacek
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Jeffrey De Graaf
Luke Woodhouse 6-1 Andrew Gilding
Ross Smith 6-2 Ryan Joyce
Danny Noppert 6-4 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Brendan Dolan 6-4 Heine Uuldriks
Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
Evening Session
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Scott Williams
Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Jimmy van Schie
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Cameron Menzies
Gian van Veen 6-0 Sebastian Bialecki
William O’Connor 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Damon Heta 6-1 Jonny Clayton
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Michael Smith
Cristo Reyes 6-2 Chris Dobey
Sunday October 18
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Gian van Veen v Brendan Dolan
Ryan Searle v Ross Smith
William O’Connor v Luke Woodhouse
Danny Noppert v Jermaine Wattimena
Gerwyn Price v Niels Zonneveld
Wessel Nijman v Cristo Reyes
Damon Heta v Martin Schindler
Stephen Bunting v Nathan Aspinall
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
Sunday’s games played in Draw Bracket order
