Menzies Shines in Victory Over Van Barneveld at the European Darts Grand Prix

Cameron Menzies put on a dazzling performance on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, while three former champions were eliminated in Sindelfingen. The fifth European Tour stop of the season kicked off with a packed schedule at the Glaspalast, and Menzies seized the spotlight by defeating the seasoned Raymond van Barneveld 6-3.

The 36‑year‑old Scot produced a spectacular finish, stringing together three successive legs of 11, 13 and 13 darts to clinch the match. He posted an impressive three‑dart average of 104.5 and marked his fifth straight win over the Dutch legend.

"I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time," Menzies said after the match, noting that every encounter with van Barneveld pushes him to his limits. "I think 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!

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 fall in Sindelfingen. Two other past winners, Rob Cross and Peter Wright, also bowed out early.

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 against seventh seed Stephen Bunting. Wright, the 2017 champion, fought hard but ultimately lost to Jeffrey de Zwaan, setting up a clash with newly crowned German Grand Prix champion Nathan Aspinall. The tournament also saw 2019 champion Ian White exit after a 6-2 defeat at the hands of European Darts Trophy winner Wessel Nijman. Nijman, who is chasing his fifth PDC ranking title of 2026 this weekend, will look to continue his strong form.

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 meet defending champion Gary Anderson in one of Saturday's marquee matches. Local favourite Michael Unterbuchner delighted the home crowd by hitting three checkouts over 100 in a decisive leg against William O'Connor. His victory sets up a showdown with two‑time champion Michael van Gerwen.

Meanwhile, Joe Cullen comfortably beat Maik Kuivenhoven 6-1 and will face top seed Gian van Veen in the next round. Dave Chisnall and Gerwyn Price will also meet in a high‑profile tie after the eight‑time European Tour winner edged out Czech competitor Petr Krivka 6-4 in a gruelling encounter. Keane Barry displayed clinical finishing, converting 124 and 130 checkouts to beat an in‑form Niels Zonneveld 6-3, earning a second‑round match against Premier League star Josh Rock. Kevin Doets, a semi‑finalist in Munich earlier this month, will take on Jermaine Wattimena in an all‑Dutch battle after repelling a late surge from fellow countryman Jurjen van der Velde.

Damon Heta navigated a tough opening assignment versus Madars Razma and now awaits German number one Martin Schindler on Saturday evening. Latvian representative Valters Melderis, who partners Razma in the World Cup, celebrated a narrow 6-5 victory over Czech number one Karel Sedlacek, becoming the latest Latvian to taste success on the big stage. Sweden's Oskar Lukasiak also progressed in dramatic fashion, surrendering a 5-1 lead against Daryl Gurney before ultimately securing the win with his tenth match dart.

Elsewhere, last year's runner‑up Andrew Gilding and Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski completed the round‑two lineup after defeating host‑nation duo Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz respectively. The full schedule for Friday, April 17, featured an afternoon session that saw Valters Melderis edge Karel Sedlacek 6-5, Wessel Nijman beat Ian White 6-2, Keane Barry overcome Niels Zonneveld 6-3, and Krzysztof Ratajski dispatch Michael Hurtz 6-3. The evening session highlighted Michael Unterbuchner's 6-5 win over William O'Connor, Joe Cullen's 6-1 triumph over Maik Kuivenhoven, and Cameron Menzies' 6-3 victory against Raymond van Barneveld. Saturday, April 18, will bring round two action.

The afternoon session (1300 local time / 1200 BST) includes match‑ups such as Mike De Decker versus Krzysztof Ratajski, Jermaine Wattimena versus Kevin Doets, Ryan Searle versus Wessel Nijman, Danny Noppert versus Oskar Lukasiak, Chris Dobey versus Andrew Gilding, Gary Anderson versus Niko Springer, and Stephen Bunting versus Mickey Mansell. The evening session (1900 local time / 1800 BST) features Ross Smith against Cameron Menzies, Gerwyn Price versus Dave Chisnall, Nathan Aspinall versus Jeffrey de Zwaan, James Wade versus Kim Huybrechts, Gian van Veen versus Joe Cullen, Michael van Gerwen versus Michael Unterbuchner, Martin Schindler versus Damon Heta, and Jonny Clayton versus Valters Melderis. Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts title will be contested by defending champion Luke Humphries, with matches broadcast every Thursday until May on Sky Sports. Fans can stream the action and other top‑level sports through NOW, ensuring they never miss a moment of the excitement that continues to define the darts calendar.