Cameron Menzies put on a dazzling performance on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, a tournament that kicked off with a whirlwind of matches at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen. The 36‑year‑old Scot demonstrated why he is rapidly becoming a fan favourite, cruising to a 6‑3 triumph over the legendary Raymond "Barney" van Barneveld. Menzies’ finish was nothing short of spectacular: he rattled off three consecutive legs of 11, 13 and 13 darts, posting a 104.5 three‑dart average and sealing his fifth straight win against the Dutch icon.
After the match, a beaming Menzies said, "I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time." He added that whenever he meets van Barneveld he tends to play his best darts, joking that he might not end up on the Dutch champion’s Christmas card list this year. "I love and respect Raymond.
He was a hero of mine growing up, but that was arguably my best game this year," he reflected, underscoring the personal significance of the victory. Menzies now moves on to face former European champion Ross Smith in the second round, a clash that promises to test his momentum against a player with a proven track record on the tour.
Meanwhile, the tournament saw a wave of upsets among former world champions. Rob 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 showdown with seventh seed Stephen Bunting.
In a parallel upset, Peter Wright, the 2017 champion, fell to Jeffrey de Zwaan after a hard‑fought battle, setting up a meeting with newly crowned German Grand Prix champion Nathan Aspinall. Ian White, the 2019 champion, also exited early, losing 6‑2 to European Darts Trophy winner Wessel Nijman.
Nijman, riding a wave of confidence, is eyeing his fifth PDC ranking title of the 2026 season this weekend. In contrast, 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 later meet defending champion Gary Anderson in a marquee Saturday fixture. Local favourite Michael Unterbuchner delighted the home crowd by hitting three ton‑plus checkouts in a deciding‑leg victory over William O'Connor.
His second win on the European Tour now pits him against two‑time champion Michael van Gerwen, a matchup that could produce a classic. Joe Cullen, after a routine 6‑1 demolition of Maik Kuivenhoven, will take on top seed Gian van Veen.
Dave Chisnall and Gerwyn Price are set to clash after the eight‑time European Tour winner secured a gritty 6‑4 win over Czech competitor 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 encounter with Premier League star Josh Rock. Kevin Doets, who reached the semi‑finals in Munich earlier this month, will face Jermaine Wattimena in an all‑Dutch duel after fending off a spirited comeback from 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. Latvian representative Valters Melderis, Razma’s World Cup partner, celebrated a narrow 6‑5 victory over Czech number one Karel Sedlacek, becoming the latest Latvian to taste success on a major stage.
Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak staged a dramatic comeback, surrendering a 5‑1 lead against Daryl Gurney before ultimately clinching the match with his tenth dart. Other notable results from round one included Andrew Gilding, last year’s runner‑up, and Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski advancing after wins over host‑nation players Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz respectively. The full schedule for the afternoon and evening sessions on Friday, April 17, featured a host of tight contests, with scores such as Melderis 6‑5 Sedlacek, Nijman 6‑2 White, Barry 6‑3 Zonneveld, and De Zwaan 6‑3 Wright, among many others.
Saturday’s round two promises further intrigue. The afternoon session (1300 local / 1200 BST) will see Mike De Decker versus Ratajski, Jermaine Wattimena against Kevin Doets, Ryan Searle meeting Wessel Nijman, Danny Noppert facing Oskar Lukasiak, Chris Dobey against Andrew Gilding, and a high‑stakes clash between Gary Anderson and Niko Springer. Stephen Bunting will take on Mickey Mansell, while Josh Rock meets Keane Barry.
The evening session (1900 local / 1800 BST) features Ross Smith versus Cameron Menzies, a showdown that could see the Scottish hot‑shot continue his impressive run. Gerwyn Price will battle Dave Chisnall, Nathan Aspinall faces Jeffrey de Zwaan, James Wade meets Kim Huybrechts, Gian van Veen takes on Joe Cullen, Michael van Gerwen confronts Michael Unterbuchner, Martin Schindler plays Damon Heta, and Jonny Clayton squares off with Valters Melderis.
Beyond the Grand Prix, darts fans can keep an eye on the Premier League Darts, where Luke Humphries defends his title. The league runs every Thursday until May and is broadcast on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW. For those craving nonstop darts action, the platform also offers live coverage of the Premier League, highlights, podcasts such as "Love the Darts," and a full schedule of upcoming matches. In summary, the European Darts Grand Prix has delivered a mix of thrilling victories, surprising upsets, and compelling storylines.
Cameron Menzies’ dominant performance over a revered veteran signals his rising stature, while the early exits of former world champions underscore the depth of talent on the circuit. With the second round set to feature a blend of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, the tournament remains a must‑watch event for anyone interested in the sport’s evolving narrative.