Gurney and van Duijvenbode shine on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open

Daryl Gurney made a triumphant return to the big stage on Friday as the 2025 Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open got underway at Kiel’s Wunderino Arena.

Just weeks after lifting the BetVictor World Cup of Darts alongside Josh Rock, Gurney resumed European Tour action with a gritty 6-4 win over Martin Lukeman in the opening round.

The 2024 Grand Slam of Darts finalist had trailed 3-1 early on but produced a brilliant response with back-to-back 12-darters before closing out the match with a sublime 11-dart leg.

“It was all about getting this first win and I’m happy with the performance,” said Gurney, who now faces Dave Chisnall in Saturday’s second round. “Coming away from the World Cup I’ve put myself under a bit of pressure, so I’m very pleased to come through that game.”

Dutch Duo Impress, Menzies Survives Scare

Dirk van Duijvenbode delivered the performance of the round, averaging 105+ and finishing with a ten-darter to beat Ryan Meikle 6-2, while Gian van Veen also impressed with a 103 average in a whitewash win over Sweden’s Johan Engstrom. He’ll now take on Jonny Clayton in a mouth-watering second round clash.

Cameron Menzies produced a remarkable comeback to defeat 18-year-old German talent Yorick Hofkens 6-5, despite trailing 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3. The Scot even missed double 12 for a perfect nine-dart leg in the process.

Gurney and van Duijvenbode shine on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open
Gurney and van Duijvenbode shine on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open (PDC Europe/Sebastian Doppstadt.)

Home Hopes & Notable Wins

There was a strong showing from the German contingent:

  • Ricardo Pietreczko saw off Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki 6-2 with a four-leg burst and now plays Nathan Aspinall.

  • Wessel Nijman landed a crucial 150 finish to defeat Martin Kramer 6-3, setting up a tie with Damon Heta.

  • Niko Springer overcame 16 missed darts at double to beat Kevin Troppmann 6-2 and will now face Stephen Bunting.

Elsewhere:

  • Mike De Decker, the reigning World Grand Prix champion, was clinical in a 6-2 win over Mensur Suljovic, booking a second round clash with Danny Noppert.

  • Jermaine Wattimena averaged 103 to edge Callan Rydz, despite a strong 100 average from the Englishman.

  • Kim Huybrechts finished 50% of his doubles and won four legs on the spin to defeat Ian White 6-3, earning a match-up with Ross Smith.

Debut Delight & Big Names Await

Justin Hood marked his European Tour debut with a standout performance, landing 11- and 12-dart legs in a comeback win over Joe Cullen. He now faces Gurney’s World Cup partner Josh Rock in round two.

In other results:

  • Krzysztof Ratajski eased past Richard Veenstra 6-2 and now meets Gary Anderson.

  • Luke Woodhouse overcame German youngster Liam Maendl-Lawrance to earn a tie against James Wade.

  • Mickey Mansell reeled off four straight legs to beat Miroslaw Grudziecki and will now face world number one Luke Humphries.

  • Andy Baetens defeated five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 in a tense battle.

  • William O’Connor edged out Tytus Kanik 6-5 in a match where all 11 legs went with throw – his reward is a second-round meeting with Gerwyn Price.

  • Gurney and van Duijvenbode shine on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open
    Gurney and van Duijvenbode shine on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open

Saturday’s Second Round: Seeds Enter the Fray

The seeded stars enter the tournament on Saturday, with several heavyweight clashes on the horizon. Among the headline acts:

  • Luke Humphries begins his campaign against Mansell

  • Gerwyn Price, fresh off his Poland Darts Masters win, meets O’Connor

  • Reigning champion Rob Cross begins his title defence

  • Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall, Gary Anderson, James Wade, and Stephen Bunting all join the action

The stakes continue to rise as players battle for a place in Sunday’s final day. Stay tuned for more drama from the Baltic Sea Darts Open.

Gurney and van Duijvenbode shine on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open

Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open

Friday July 11

First Round

Afternoon Session

Mickey Mansell 6-3 Miroslaw Grudziecki

Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Liam Maendl-Lawrance

Cameron Menzies 6-5 Yorick Hofkens

Gian van Veen 6-0 Johan Engstrom

Jermaine Wattimena 6-1 Callan Rydz

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Richard Veenstra

Wessel Nijman 6-3 Martin Kramer

Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Ian White

 

Evening Session

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Ryan Meikle

Niko Springer 6-2 Kevin Troppmann

William O’Connor 6-5 Tytus Kanik

Andy Baetens 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld

Daryl Gurney 6-4 Martin Lukeman

Mike De Decker 6-2 Mensur Suljovic

Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 Sebastian Bialecki

Justin Hood 6-3 Joe Cullen

 

Saturday July 12

Second Round

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Ryan Searle v Cameron Menzies

Damon Heta v Wessel Nijman

Gary Anderson v Krzysztof Ratajski

Danny Noppert v Mike De Decker

Dave Chisnall v Daryl Gurney

Ross Smith v Kim Huybrechts

Jonny Clayton v Gian van Veen

James Wade v Luke Woodhouse

* Please note updated order of matches

 

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

Gerwyn Price v William O’Connor

Rob Cross v Andy Baetens

Stephen Bunting v Niko Springer

Luke Humphries v Mickey Mansell

Josh Rock v Justin Hood

Martin Schindler v Jermaine Wattimena

Nathan Aspinall v Ricardo Pietreczko

Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode