Kim Huybrechts and Andy Baetens home hope rekindled on day one of the Belgian Darts Open
Kim Huybrechts and Andy Baetens home hope rekindled on day one of the Belgian Darts Open
Kim Huybrechts and Andy Baetens delighted the home crowd on Day One of the Belgian Darts Open, as a series of high-profile casualties lit up Friday’s action in Wieze.
The third European Tour event of 2026 got underway at the Oktoberhallen, with 16 first-round ties taking place and the Belgian contingent making a strong impression on home soil.
Huybrechts was arguably the standout performer of the day, producing a superb display to average 101.76 in a 6-4 victory over Niko Springer. The two-time European Tour winner thrived under the spotlight and will now face Josh Rock in round two.
“This is what you play darts for,” reflected the Belgian star. “The feeling you get when you play in front of your home crowd and you win – this is amazing.
“I’m feeling really good lately. I’m working very hard on my game with Eric [Clarys], and you have to work hard to be at the top level.”
Baetens also enjoyed a memorable victory, edging out Joe Cullen in a dramatic last-leg decider despite the Englishman averaging 101. The reward for Baetens is a second-round showdown with Stephen Bunting.
Cullen was one of several big names to fall on a dramatic opening day, as Wessel Nijman saw his hopes of back-to-back European Tour titles ended by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki. Bialecki impressed with a 99.78 average and will now take on Premier League leader Jonny Clayton.
Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld also exited in emphatic fashion, suffering a 6-1 defeat to Boris Krcmar. The Croatian averaged 101 and produced clinical finishing to set up a blockbuster clash with reigning champion Luke Littler.
There was more drama as Mickey Mansell produced a pair of ton-plus checkouts – including a stunning 161 – to defeat Michael Smith 6-3. He will now face another former World Champion in Michael van Gerwen.
Spain’s Cristo Reyes also delivered a moment of magic, firing in a 160 checkout during his 6-4 win over Krzysztof Ratajski. Reyes averaged 102 in a high-quality contest and now meets James Wade in round two.
Recent European Tour semi-finalist Niels Zonneveld continued his strong form, averaging over a ton in victory against Jani Haavisto to set up a clash with Belgian number one Mike De Decker.
Elsewhere, Dirk van Duijvenbode booked a high-profile meeting with world number two Luke Humphries after a solid 6-3 win over Lukas Wenig.
Dave Chisnall reeled off five consecutive legs to defeat Thibault Tricole 6-2 and will now face Chris Dobey, while Ricky Evans also progressed with a 6-2 win over Scott Williams to earn a tie against Ryan Searle.
Daryl Gurney enjoyed a convincing 6-1 victory over Ian White and will now take on Damon Heta, while Ryan Joyce set up a repeat of last year’s European Darts Trophy final against Nathan Aspinall.
Home hopes beyond Huybrechts and Baetens were cut short, with Pascal Devroey and Francois Schweyen both exiting, losing to Luke Woodhouse and Ryan Meikle respectively.
Elsewhere, William O’Connor and Cameron Menzies completed the round two line-up with emphatic 6-1 victories. O’Connor will face Martin Schindler, while Menzies meets Ross Smith in Saturday’s opening match.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s double session in Wieze, where the sport’s elite enter the fray, with Littler, Humphries and Van Gerwen among the headline acts aiming to begin their title bids at the Oktoberhallen.
Kim Huybrechts and Andy Baetens home hope rekindled on day one of the Belgian Darts Open
2026 Lecot Belgian Darts Open
Friday March 20
Round One
Afternoon Session
Niels Zonneveld 6-4 Jani Haavisto
Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Pascal Devroey
Ricky Evans 6-2 Scott Williams
Ryan Joyce 6-4 Adam Gawlas
Cameron Menzies 6-1 Sietse Lap
William O’Connor 6-1 Tyler Thorpe
Ryan Meikle 6-4 Francois Schweyen
Mickey Mansell 6-3 Michael Smith
Evening Session
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Thibault Tricole
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Krzysztof Ratajski
Andy Baetens 6-5 Joe Cullen
Sebastian Bialecki 6-3 Wessel Nijman
Boris Krcmar 6-1 Raymond van Barneveld
Daryl Gurney 6-1 Ian White
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Niko Springer
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Lukas Wenig
Saturday March 21
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 GMT)
Ross Smith v Cameron Menzies
Jermaine Wattimena v Ryan Meikle
Chris Dobey v Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle v Ricky Evans
Martin Schindler v William O’Connor
Damon Heta v Daryl Gurney
Danny Noppert v Luke Woodhouse
Nathan Aspinall v Ryan Joyce
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 GMT)
James Wade v Cristo Reyes
Jonny Clayton v Sebastian Bialecki
Stephen Bunting v Andy Baetens
Mike De Decker v Niels Zonneveld
Luke Littler v Boris Krcmar
Luke Humphries v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Michael van Gerwen v Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock v Kim Huybrechts
