Cameron Menzies put on a dazzling performance on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, while three former champions suffered early exits in Sindelfingen. The fifth European Tour stop of the season kicked off with a packed schedule at the Glaspalast, and Menzies announced his arrival in spectacular fashion by defeating the veteran Raymond van Barneveld 6-3.
The 36‑year‑old Aussie displayed a late‑stage surge that left the crowd buzzing. He closed out the match with three consecutive legs of 11, 13 and 13 darts, posting a 104.5 three‑dart average and securing his fifth straight win over the Dutch legend.
After the match, a beaming Menzies said, "I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time." He will now meet former European champion Ross Smith in the second round. Menzies added a touch of humor, noting, "Every time I've faced Barney I've played out of my skin, so I may not be on his Christmas card list this year!" He also paid tribute to his opponent, saying, "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 bow out in Sindelfingen.
Both Rob Cross and Peter Wright fell to Mickey Mansell and Jeffrey de Zwaan respectively. Cross, the 2023 European Darts Grand Prix champion, was dispatched 6-2 by a clinical Mansell who averaged 100.32, earning a clash with seventh seed Stephen Bunting. De Zwaan edged out the 2017 winner Wright in a hard‑fought encounter, setting up a meeting with newly crowned German Darts Grand Prix champion Nathan Aspinall.
2019 champion Ian White also crashed out, losing 6-2 to European Darts Trophy champion Wessel Nijman, who is eyeing a fifth PDC ranking title of 2026 this weekend. In contrast, a revitalised Kim Huybrechts avoided the fate of Cross, Wright and White by dispatching Dirk van Duijvenbode, keeping his hopes alive for a second European Darts Grand Prix crown. German hopeful Niko Springer opened his campaign with a dominant 6-1 win over newcomer Robin Masino and will now face defending champion Gary Anderson in one of Saturday's marquee matches. Host‑nation favourite Michael Unterbuchner also shone on home soil, hitting three ton‑plus checkouts in a deciding‑leg victory over William O'Connor.
That win sets up a showdown with two‑time champion Michael van Gerwen. Joe Cullen continued his strong start with a routine 6-1 triumph over Maik Kuivenhoven and will meet top seed Gian van Veen next.
Meanwhile, eight‑time European Tour winner Gerwyn Price locked horns with Dave Chisnall after the Welshman survived a gruelling 6-4 battle against 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 clash with Premier League star Josh Rock.
Kevin Doets, who reached the Munich semi‑finals earlier this month, will face fellow Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena after fending off a late rally from Jurjen van der Velde. Damon Heta navigated a tough opening assignment against Madars Razma, and now German number one Martin Schindler awaits the Australian in the Saturday evening session. Razma's World Cup partner Valters Melderis celebrated a narrow 6-5 victory over Czechia's top player Karel Sedlacek, becoming the latest Latvian to taste success on the big stage.
Swedish qualifier Oskar Lukasiak staged a dramatic comeback, surrendering a 5-1 lead to Daryl Gurney before ultimately sealing the match with his tenth dart. The round also saw last year's runner‑up Andrew Gilding and Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski complete the second‑round lineup after defeating host‑nation duo Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz respectively.
The full schedule for Friday, April 17, was as follows: 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.
Saturday, April 18, will feature a packed second round. The afternoon session (1300 local time, 1200 BST) includes Mike De Decker vs Krzysztof Ratajski, Jermaine Wattimena vs Kevin Doets, Ryan Searle vs Wessel Nijman, Danny Noppert vs Oskar Lukasiak, and Chris Dobey vs Andrew Gilding. The evening session (1900 local time, 1800 BST) pits Ross Smith against Cameron Menzies, Gerwyn Price against Dave Chisnall, Nathan Aspinall against Jeffrey de Zwaan, James Wade against Kim Huybrechts, Gian van Veen against Joe Cullen, Michael van Gerwen against Michael Unterbuchner, Martin Schindler against Damon Heta, and Jonny Clayton against Valters Melderis. Beyond the Grand Prix, fans can follow the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will look to retain his title.
The league runs every Thursday until May and is broadcast on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available through NOW. This comprehensive coverage ensures that darts enthusiasts can keep up with every thrilling moment, from surprise upsets to headline‑making performances like Menzies' brilliant debut.