Cameron Menzies put on a dazzling display during the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, while three former world champions fell early in Sindelfingen. The fifth European Tour stop of the season kicked off with a packed programme at the Glaspalast, where a confident Menzies dispatched the veteran Raymond van Barneveld 6‑3. The 36‑year‑old Scotsman finished the match with a rapid succession of legs – two 11‑dart legs followed by a 13‑dart leg – posting a 104.5 three‑dart average and securing his fifth consecutive win over the Dutch legend. \n\n"I felt tremendous there.
I wish I could play like that all the time," Menzies said after the match, before turning his attention to a second‑round clash with former European champion Ross Smith. He added, "Every time I've played Barney I've given it my all, so I probably won’t be on his Christmas card list this year! I love and respect Raymond – he was a hero of mine growing up – but that was arguably my best performance of the year."\n\nVan Barneveld was not the only former champion to exit early in Sindelfingen. Two‑time world champion Rob Cross and 2018 champion Peter Wright also bowed out, falling to Mickey Mansell and Jeffrey de Zwaan respectively.
Cross, who captured the European Darts Grand Prix title in 2023, was dispatched 6‑2 by a clinical Mansell who posted a 100.32 average, earning a quarter‑final showdown with seventh seed Stephen Bunting. De Zwaan earned a hard‑fought victory over Wright, setting up a meeting with newly crowned German Darts Grand Prix champion Nathan Aspinall.\n\nAnother surprise came when 2019 champion Ian White was beaten 6‑2 by European Darts Trophy winner Wessel Nijman, who is now eyeing a fifth PDC ranking title of the 2026 season. In contrast, a resurging Kim Huybrechts avoided the fate of Cross, Wright and White by defeating Dirk van Duijvenbode, keeping his hopes alive for a second European Darts Grand Prix crown.\n\nGerman hopeful Niko Springer opened his campaign with a dominant 6‑1 win over newcomer Robin Masino and will face defending champion Gary Anderson in one of Saturday's marquee matches.
Home favourite Michael Unterbuchner also shone, hitting three separate checkouts of 100 or more in a decisive‑leg victory over William O'Connor. That win sets up a clash with two‑time champion Michael van Gerwen.\n\nJoe Cullen, after a routine 6‑1 triumph over Maik Kuivenhoven, will meet top seed Gian van Veen, while Dave Chisnall and Gerwyn Price are slated for a blockbuster encounter after Price secured a gritty 6‑4 win over Czech Republic's Petr Krivka.
Keane Barry displayed clinical finishing, converting 124 and 130 checkouts to beat an in‑form Niels Zonneveld 6‑3, earning a second‑round face‑off with Premier League star Josh Rock.\n\nKevin Doets, a semi‑finalist in Munich earlier this month, will battle Jermaine Wattimena in an all‑Dutch duel after holding off a determined comeback from fellow countryman Jurjen van der Velde. Damon Heta navigated a tough opening match against Madars Razma and now awaits German number one Martin Schindler on Saturday evening.\n\nLatvian representative Valters Melderis, who partners Razma in the World Cup, celebrated a narrow 6‑5 win over Czech number one Karel Sedlacek, becoming the latest Latvian to claim a victory on the big stage.
Sweden's Oskar Lukasiak also progressed in dramatic fashion, surrendering a 5‑1 lead to Daryl Gurney before ultimately clinching the match with his tenth dart.\n\nOther notable results included last year's runner‑up Andrew Gilding and Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski completing the round‑two lineup after defeating host‑nation pair Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz respectively. The full schedule for the first day featured an afternoon session with matches such as Valters Melderis vs Karel Sedlacek, Wessel Nijman vs Ian White, Keane Barry vs Niels Zonneveld, and Mickey Mansell vs Rob Cross, followed by an evening session that saw Cameron Menzies defeat Raymond van Barneveld, Damon Heta beat Madars Razma, and Kim Huybrechts overcome Dirk van Duijvenbode, among others.\n\nSaturday's second round promises further excitement, with afternoon matchups including Mike De Decker versus Krzysztof Ratajski, Jermaine Wattimena versus Kevin Doets, and Stephen Bunting versus Mickey Mansell.
The evening session will feature high‑profile clashes such as Ross Smith versus Cameron Menzies, Gerwyn Price versus Dave Chisnall, and Nathan Aspinall versus Jeffrey de Zwaan.\n\nBeyond the Grand Prix, fans can look ahead to the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his title. The league runs every Thursday until May and is broadcast on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available through NOW. The European Darts Grand Prix continues to deliver thrilling darts action, showcasing emerging talents, surprise upsets, and the enduring skill of seasoned veterans.