Cameron Menzies put on a dazzling display on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, delivering a performance that will be remembered for its composure and firepower. The fifth European Tour stop of the season kicked off at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen with a series of high‑octane matches, but it was Menzies who captured the headlines as he dispatched the legendary Raymond "Barney" van Barneveld 6‑3.
The 36‑year‑old Australian showed why he has become a regular threat on the PDC circuit, rattling off three consecutive legs of 11, 13 and 13 darts in the decisive stage of the match. His finishing was clinical and his scoring relentless, culminating in an impressive 104.5 three‑dart average. The victory also marked his fifth straight win over the Dutch icon, a streak that underscores the growing respect he commands among the sport’s elite.
After the final double, Menzies could barely contain his excitement. "I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time," he said, a comment that reflected both his confidence and his desire for consistency. He added a touch of humour when he noted, "Every time I've played Barney I've played out of my skin, so I may not be on his Christmas card list this year!" The admiration was clear when he continued, "I love and respect Raymond.
He was a hero of mine growing up, but that was arguably my best game this year." Van Barneveld was not the only former world champion to exit early in Sindelfingen. The tournament saw a cascade of upsets as several big names fell in the first round.
Rob Cross, the 2023 European Darts Grand Prix champion, was outclassed 6‑2 by the clinical Mickey Mansell, who posted a 100.32 average and earned a place against seventh seed Stephen Bunting in the next round. Similarly, 2017 champion Peter Wright succumbed to Jeffrey de Zwaan in a tightly contested match, setting up a clash with the newly crowned German Darts Grand Prix winner Nathan Aspinall. Ian White, the 2019 champion, also crashed out, losing 6‑2 to European Darts Trophy champion Wessel Nijman.
Nijman, riding a wave of confidence, is now eyeing his fifth PDC ranking title of 2026, a remarkable feat that would cement his status as one of the season's most consistent performers. Not all stories were of disappointment. Kim Huybrechts, who has been rebuilding his form, avoided the fate of Cross, Wright and White by taking down Dirk van Duijvenbode, reigniting his quest for a second European Darts Grand Prix crown.
German hopeful Niko Springer made a statement with a 6‑1 demolition of newcomer Robin Masino, setting up a high‑profile showdown with defending champion Gary Anderson on Saturday. Home‑grown talent Michael Unterbuchner delighted the local crowd, delivering three ton‑plus checkouts in a nail‑biting deciding‑leg victory over William O'Connor.
His second win on the European Tour stage now pits him against two‑time champion Michael van Gerwen, offering a classic underdog versus legend narrative. Joe Cullen continued his strong start with a routine 6‑1 win over Maik Kuivenhoven, earning a meeting with top seed Gian van Veen.
Meanwhile, eight‑time European Tour winner Gerwyn Price survived a grueling 6‑4 battle against Czech Republic’s Petr Krivka, setting up a blockbuster tie with Dave Chisnall later in the day. Young Irish prospect Keane Barry displayed composure beyond his years, hitting precise 124 and 130 checkouts to seal a 6‑3 win over an in‑form Niels Zonneveld.
His next opponent will be Premier League star Josh Rock, a clash that promises fireworks in the second round. Dutch semi‑finalist Kevin Doets, who reached the Munich semi‑finals earlier in the month, will face fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena after fending off a late surge from Jurjen van der Velde. The all‑Dutch encounter adds another layer of intrigue to the expanding field.
Australian Damon Heta navigated a tough opening match against Madars Razma, and now awaits a showdown with German number one Martin Schindler on Saturday evening. Razma’s World Cup partner, Latvian Valters Melderis, celebrated a narrow 6‑5 victory over Czechia’s top seed Karel Sedlacek, becoming the latest Latvian to taste success on a major stage.
Swedish qualifier Oskar Lukasiak produced drama of his own, surrendering a 5‑1 lead to Daryl Gurney before clawing back to win on his tenth match dart. His resilience exemplifies the unpredictable nature of darts, where momentum can shift in an instant. Other notable results from the first day included Andrew Gilding and Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski securing places in round two after defeating host‑nation pair Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz, respectively. The full schedule of round‑one matches was as follows: **Friday, 17 April – Afternoon Session** - Valters Melderis 6‑5 Karel Sedlacek - Wessel Nijman 6‑2 Ian White - Keane Barry 6‑3 Niels Zonneveld - Krzysztof Ratajski 6‑3 Michael Hurtz - Kevin Doets 6‑4 Jurjen van der Velde - Andrew Gilding 6‑3 Paul Krohne - Mickey Mansell 6‑2 Rob Cross - Dave Chisnall 6‑4 Petr Krivka **Evening Session** - Michael Unterbuchner 6‑5 William O'Connor - Joe Cullen 6‑1 Maik Kuivenhoven - Jeffrey de Zwaan 6‑3 Peter Wright - Cameron Menzies 6‑3 Raymond van Barneveld - Damon Heta 6‑4 Madars Razma - Kim Huybrechts 6‑3 Dirk van Duijvenbode - Oskar Lukasiak 6‑5 Daryl Gurney - Niko Springer 6‑1 Robin Masino The second day’s afternoon draw featured match‑ups such as Mike De Decker versus Krzysztof Ratajski, Jermaine Wattimena against Kevin Doets, and a showdown between Stephen Bunting and Mickey Mansell.
The evening session promised marquee clashes, including Ross Smith versus Cameron Menzies, Gerwyn Price versus Dave Chisnall, and a highly anticipated face‑off between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Unterbuchner. Looking ahead, fans will also be keeping an eye on the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his title. The league runs every Thursday until May and can be streamed on Sky Sports or via NOW, alongside a host of other top‑flight sporting events. Overall, the opening day of the European Darts Grand Prix delivered a mix of surprise exits, dominant performances, and emerging storylines.
Cameron Menzies’ victory over a legend, the early ousting of several former world champions, and the strong showing from local talents set the stage for a thrilling continuation of the tournament. As the field narrows, the competition will only intensify, promising more high‑stakes drama and the chance for new champions to emerge on the European Tour stage.