Cameron Menzies put on a dazzling performance on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, delivering a commanding 6-3 victory over the seasoned Raymond van Barneveld. The fifth European Tour event of the season kicked off at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen with a flurry of high‑octane matches, and Menzies quickly established himself as the player to watch. The 36‑year‑old Scotsman demonstrated why he has become a regular threat on the circuit, stringing together three impressive legs of 11, 13 and 13 darts in the final stretch of the match. His clinical finishing helped him post a 104.5 three‑dart average, a figure that underscored the quality of his play and marked his fifth consecutive win over the Dutch legend.
After the match, Menzies reflected on his form, saying, "I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time." He added a note of respect for his opponent, noting that playing against van Barneveld always pushes him to his limits.
Van Barneveld, a former world champion and one of the sport’s most beloved figures, was not the only veteran to exit the tournament early. In a surprising turn of events, fellow former world champions Rob Cross and Peter Wright also fell in Sindelfingen. Cross, who captured the European Darts Grand Prix title in 2023, was dispatched 6-2 by the precise Mickey Mansell, who averaged 100.32 and earned a place in the next round against seventh seed Stephen Bunting.
Wright, the 2017 champion, was out‑gunned by Jeffrey de Zwaan in a tightly contested match, setting up a clash for the Dutchman with newly crowned German Grand Prix winner Nathan Aspinall. The day also saw 2019 champion Ian White bow out after a 6-2 defeat at the hands of European Darts Trophy champion Wessel Nijman, who is eyeing a fifth PDC ranking title this weekend. Meanwhile, 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.
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 what promises to be a marquee Saturday encounter. On home soil, Michael Unterbuchner thrilled the crowd by hitting three checkouts exceeding 100 in a decisive leg victory over William O'Connor.
That win sets up a showdown with two‑time champion Michael van Gerwen, while Joe Cullen, after a routine 6-1 triumph over Maik Kuivenhoven, will meet top seed Gian van Veen. In other notable fixtures, Dave Chisnall and Gerwyn Price were slated to meet after Chisnall secured a gritty 6-4 win against Czech representative Petr Krivka. Keane Barry displayed clinical precision, sealing a 6-3 win over an in‑form Niels Zonneveld with impressive 124 and 130 checkouts, earning a second‑round bout against Premier League star Josh Rock. Dutch contender Kevin Doets, who reached the semi‑finals in Munich earlier in the month, will take on fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena after fending off a spirited comeback from Jurjen van der Velde.
Australian Damon Heta navigated a tough opening match against Madars Razma and now awaits a clash with Germany's number one Martin Schindler on Saturday evening. Latvian representative Valters Melderis, who partners with Razma in the World Cup, celebrated a narrow 6-5 victory over Czech number one Karel Sedlacek, marking another milestone for Latvian darts on the big stage. Sweden's Oskar Lukasiak also produced drama, surrendering a 5-1 lead to Daryl Gurney before ultimately clinching the match with his tenth dart. The round‑two lineup was rounded out by last year’s runner‑up Andrew Gilding and Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, both of whom dispatched host‑nation players Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz respectively.
The tournament schedule for Friday, April 17, featured a packed afternoon session with matches such as Valters Melderis 6‑5 Karel Sedlacek, Wessel Nijman 6‑2 Ian White, Keane Barry 6‑3 Niels Zonneveld, and Krzysztof Ratajski 6‑3 Michael Hurtz. The evening session saw Michael Unterbuchner edging William O'Connor 6‑5, Joe Cullen cruising past Maik Kuivenhoven 6‑1, and Cameron Menzies defeating Raymond van Barneveld 6‑3. Saturday’s second round continued the excitement.
In the afternoon, Mike De Decker faced Krzysztof Ratajski, Jermaine Wattimena took on Kevin Doets, and Stephen Bunting met Mickey Mansell. The evening session featured high‑profile clashes such as Ross Smith versus Cameron Menzies, Gerwyn Price versus Dave Chisnall, and Nathan Aspinall against Jeffrey de Zwaan.
Beyond the Grand Prix, the Premier League Darts competition remains a focal point for fans. Luke Humphries will defend his title, with matches broadcast every Thursday on Sky Sports until the final in May. Viewers can also stream the action through NOW, which offers a suite of darts coverage alongside other top‑tier sports.
Overall, the opening day of the European Darts Grand Prix delivered a blend of surprise upsets, dominant performances, and the kind of high‑quality darts that keep supporters glued to the board. With several former champions already eliminated, the field is wide open for emerging talents and seasoned pros alike to make a deep run. The tournament promises further intrigue as the remaining rounds unfold, and fans can look forward to more thrilling finishes, strategic battles, and the occasional breakout star who might seize the spotlight in Sindelfingen.