Kevin Doets stunned Michael van Gerwen (Picture: PDC)

Darts results: Luke Littler got his European Championship campaign under way in style as Michael van Gerwen crashed out

Darts

Sun October 25, 2026 · 2d ago

Luke Littler opened his Machineseeker European Championship title bid with a dazzling 6-3 victory over William O’Connor on Friday, as debutant Kevin Doets dumped out Michael van Gerwen in round one.

Littler’s hunt for the only Premier title that eludes him began in Dortmund in impressive fashion, recording a 105.05 average - the best of the tournament so far.

The World Champion struck six 180s to down Irish number one O’Connor and set up a tantalising round two clash with Nathan Aspinall.

“I’m happy with the win,” said the world number one, who picked up just his second victory at the Westfalenhalle.

“I meet Nathan again tomorrow. I’ve just got to take it game by game.

“Obviously it’s the last one missing so I can’t put too much pressure on myself. I’m just happy to get back on stage and do my job.”

Aspinall awaits Littler after reeling off four straight legs to see off Cristo Reyes, including finishes of 134, 112 and 90 to come back from behind.

Doets produced a stellar display to dispatch four-time winner Van Gerwen 6-3 on debut.

A winner on the Players Championship circuit this year, Doets followed a 106 checkout with a sublime 132 outshot on the bullseye to lead 3-0, before delivering the final blow with a 12-darter.

“It was a tough game,” assessed Doets, who will take on Krzysztof Ratajski on Saturday evening.

“The draw comes out and I get Michael… it’s still Michael van Gerwen. He is the one I looked up to for years and the most successful player from the Netherlands.

“He didn’t play like he can, but I’m really happy to win. I felt through the whole game that I was the better player."

Ratajski recorded an eighth consecutive victory over Dave Chisnall to move into round two, with the third seed recording just a second win at the tournament in his eighth appearance.

Martin Schindler delighted an adoring home crowd with a last-leg triumph over number two seed Wessel Nijman.

The German number one - who crept into the 32-player field in the 15th and final European Tour event of the year - took out 55% of his outer-ring efforts to topple a profligate Nijman.

“I’m very happy at the moment,” professed an elated Schindler.

“I was really nervous, especially in the last leg.

“Right now I feel over the moon and very confident. Tomorrow is a new day and I will need to focus again.”

Jermaine Wattimena will lock horns with Schindler in round two, after the Dutchman saw off Ryan Joyce 6-3 despite missing two match darts for a whitewash win.

Jonny Clayton will take on Josh Rock after the pair recorded dominant wins over Niko Springer and Chris Dobey respectively.

Former World Grand Prix winner Clayton scored impressively to overpower his German opponent 6-3, while Rock rattled off six legs straight to brush aside Dobey 6-1.

European Championship: Draw and results

(1) Ross Smith 6-4 Karel Sedlacek (32)
(16) James Wade 5-6 Damon Heta (17)
(8) Gian van Veen 6-4 Andrew Gilding (25)
(9) Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode (24)
(4) Niels Zonneveld 3-6 Cameron Menzies (29)
(13) Gerwyn Price 6-2 Rob Cross (20)
(5) Danny Noppert 5-6 Stephen Bunting (28)
Kim Huybrechts* 6-1 Ryan Searle (21)
(2) Wessel Nijman 5-6 Martin Schindler (31)
(15) Ryan Joyce 3-6 Jermaine Wattimena (18)
(7) Jonny Clayton 6-3 Niko Springer (26)
(10) Josh Rock 6-1 Chris Dobey (23)
(3) Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Dave Chisnall (30)
(14) Kevin Doets 6-3 Michael van Gerwen (19)
(6) Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Cristo Reyes (27)
(11) Luke Littler 6-3 William O'Connor (22)

*Kim Huybrechts replaced Luke Humphries, who withdrew due to illness

European Championship: Schedule & Results

Thursday October 22
Round One x8

Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode (Luke Woodhouse hit a nine-dart finish)
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Danny Noppert
Cameron Menzies 6-3 Niels Zonneveld
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Rob Cross
Damon Heta 6-5 James Wade
Kim Huybrechts 6-1 Ryan Searle
Gian van Veen 6-4 Andrew Gilding
Ross Smith 6-4 Karel Sedlacek

Friday October 23 (1900-2300 CEST, 1800-2200 BST)
Round One x8

Ryan Joyce 3-6 Jermaine Wattimena
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Dave Chisnall
Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Cristo Reyes
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Niko Springer
Luke Littler 6-3 William O'Connor
Wessel Nijman 5-6 Martin Schindler
Kevin Doets 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Josh Rock 6-1 Chris Dobey

Saturday October 24
Afternoon Session (1200-1600 BST)
Round Two x4 – order of games TBC

Cameron Menzies v Gerwyn Price
Stephen Bunting v Kim Huybrechts
Ross Smith v Damon Heta
Gian van Veen v Luke Woodhouse

Evening Session (1800-2200 BST)
Round Two x4 – order of games TBC

Krzysztof Ratajski v Kevin Doets
Martin Schindler v Jermaine Wattimena
Nathan Aspinall v Luke Littler
Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock

Sunday October 25
Afternoon Session (1200-1600 GMT)

Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (1800-2200 GMT)

Semi-Finals
Final

Darts: Related content

Like what you've read?

Link

Darts results: Luke Littler got his European Championship campaign under way in style as Michael van Gerwen crashed out

European Championship: Draw and results

European Championship: Schedule & Results

Darts: Related content

Next Off

Fixtures & Results

Darts results: Luke Littler got his European Championship campaign under way in style as Michael van Gerwen crashed out

European Championship: Draw and results

European Championship: Schedule & Results

Darts: Related content

MOST READ

Next Off

Fixtures & Results