Seeds sent packing at the German Darts Grand Prix as Niko Springer stuns Michael Van Gerwen

Niko Springer produced one of the standout performances of the weekend to dismantle defending champion Michael van Gerwen with a commanding 6-1 victory at the Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Grand Prix on Saturday.

The second day of action at the Zenith in Munich saw a number of shocks unfold, but it was Springer who stole the headlines with a clinical display against the four-time champion. The German quickly seized control of the contest, storming into a 4-0 lead thanks to exceptional finishing. His accuracy on the doubles proved decisive, as he missed just three attempts at the outer ring during that dominant opening spell.

Van Gerwen showed brief signs of a fightback, producing a 15-dart break to get on the board and reduce the deficit to 4-1. However, any hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished. Springer responded immediately with a 15-darter of his own before calmly finishing on tops to seal a memorable win in front of his home crowd.

“I’m really happy to play here,” said the 25-year-old after the match, having averaged just over 98 in his impressive victory.

“I know I have to play on the same level tomorrow as I did today or maybe a bit better, but I will be ready.

“Michael Smith is a really, really tough opponent. He has achieved a lot of good stuff, he’s a former World Champion.”

Springer’s reward is a place in the last 16, where he will take on Michael Smith. The Englishman, himself a former champion at this event, progressed after edging out Dave Chisnall in a tense deciding-leg encounter.

Smith claimed a narrow 6-5 win in a match that hinged on missed opportunities from Chisnall on the doubles. The 2022/23 World Champion made the most of those chances, aided by a crucial 136 checkout that helped swing momentum in his favour and ultimately secure his place in the next round.

Another eye-catching result came courtesy of William O’Connor, who continued his strong run by defeating top seed Gian van Veen 6-2. O’Connor made a fast start, racing into a 4-1 lead, and demonstrated his finishing prowess with two ton-plus checkouts, including a decisive 108 to wrap up the victory.

O’Connor will now face Andrew Gilding, who came through one of several matches that went all the way to a deciding leg. Gilding produced a clutch 104 checkout to defeat Daryl Gurney and secure his progression to Finals Day.

Home favourite Martin Schindler also delighted the local fans by recording a 6-4 win over Brendan Dolan. The German number one held his nerve in the closing stages to set up a last 16 meeting with Nathan Aspinall.

Aspinall, a three-time European Tour event winner, was involved in one of the matches of the day. He battled back from 5-4 down to defeat Ricardo Pietreczko in a dramatic decider, producing a crucial 12-dart break to seal victory and deny the German a place in round three.

There was more drama elsewhere as Kevin Doets denied James Wade victory in his milestone 100th European Tour appearance. Doets completed a remarkable comeback from 5-3 down, winning three consecutive legs to triumph 6-5 with a 101.30 average. His charge was sparked by a stunning 170 checkout, his second of the weekend.

Doets will now meet fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode, who survived two match darts to edge past Mike De Decker in another last-leg decider.

The day proved particularly brutal for seeded players, with ten of them exiting the competition. Among those to fall were Jermaine Wattimena and Luke Woodhouse, who both suffered heavy 6-1 defeats at the hands of Niels Zonneveld and Kim Huybrechts respectively.

Zonneveld will now take on Josh Rock, who impressed in a 6-4 win over Ryan Joyce despite Joyce averaging over 103. Meanwhile, Huybrechts is set to face Jonny Clayton, after the Welshman came through a deciding-leg battle against Host Nation Qualifier Marcel Hausotter.

Ross Smith also impressed with a solid 6-2 win over Patrik Kovacs, setting up a clash with Krzysztof Ratajski. The Polish number one edged out Ryan Searle in a deciding leg, sealing victory with a clinical 121 checkout.

Danny Noppert was also taken the distance, eventually overcoming Ritchie Edhouse in a tight contest. Noppert averaged close to 100 and produced a 13-dart leg in the decider to advance.

Rounding off the action, Karel Sedlacek delivered an eye-catching 6-2 victory over Damon Heta. The Czech star fired in six maximums and converted 55% of his chances on the doubles in a dominant display.

The German Darts Grand Prix now heads into its निर्णing day on Monday, with a double session scheduled at the Zenith. The afternoon will feature the last 16 ties, before the remaining eight players return in the evening to battle it out for the title in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion.

Seeds sent packing at the German Darts Grand Prix as Niko Springer stuns Michael Van Gerwen 

2026 Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Grand Prix

Sunday April 5

Round Two

Afternoon Session

Ross Smith 6-2 Patrik Kovacs

Niels Zonneveld 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena

Karel Sedlacek 6-2 Damon Heta

Andrew Gilding 6-5 Daryl Gurney

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Ryan Searle

Danny Noppert 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 Mike De Decker

Michael Smith 6-5 Dave Chisnall

Evening Session

Kim Huybrechts 6-1 Luke Woodhouse

Josh Rock 6-4 Ryan Joyce

Kevin Doets 6-5 James Wade

Jonny Clayton 6-5 Marcel Hausotter

Niko Springer 6-1 Michael van Gerwen

Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Ricardo Pietreczko

Martin Schindler 6-4 Brendan Dolan

William O’Connor 6-2 Gian Van Veen

Monday April 6

Round Three

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Danny Noppert v Karel Sedlacek

Jonny Clayton v Kim Huybrechts

Krzysztof Ratajski v Ross Smith

Niko Springer v Michael Smith

Josh Rock v Niels Zonneveld

Kevin Doets v Dirk van Duijvenbode

Nathan Aspinall v Martin Schindler

William O’Connor v Andrew Gilding

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Final