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 programme at the Glaspalast, and Menzies seized the spotlight with a 6-3 triumph over the ever‑energetic Raymond van Barneveld. The 36‑year‑old Scot produced a late‑stage surge that left spectators in awe. He closed out the match by hitting three successive legs in just 11, 13 and 13 darts, finishing with an impressive 104.5 average.
This victory marked his fifth straight win against the Dutch legend, a streak that underlines his growing confidence against top‑tier opposition. "I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time," Menzies said after the match, smiling at the crowd. He added, "Every time I've faced Barney I've given it my all, so I probably won’t be on his Christmas card list this year!
I have a lot of love and respect for Raymond – he was a hero of mine growing up – but I think that was arguably my best game of the year." Van Barneveld was not the only former world champion to fall early in Sindelfingen. Two other big names, Rob Cross and Peter Wright, also bowed out, each succumbing to hungry challengers. Cross, who captured the European Darts Grand Prix title in 2023, was dispatched 6-2 by the precise Mickey Mansell, who posted a 100.32 average and earned a place in the next round against seventh seed Stephen Bunting. Wright, the 2017 champion, fought hard but ultimately lost to Jeffrey de Zwaan, setting up a showdown 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, already boasting three PDC ranking titles this year, will look to add a fourth over the weekend. In contrast, 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 meet defending champion Gary Anderson in one of Saturday's marquee matches. Home‑grown talent Michael Unterbuchner delighted the local crowd, delivering three checkouts of over 100 in a decisive leg victory against William O'Connor. His second win on the European Tour stage sets up a clash with two‑time champion Michael van Gerwen, while Joe Cullen will face top seed Gian van Veen after a comfortable 6-1 triumph over Maik Kuivenhoven. Dave Chisnall and Gerwyn Price also booked a high‑profile encounter after the eight‑time European Tour winner edged out Czech player Petr Krivka 6-4 in a tightly contested match.
Meanwhile, Keane Barry showed his finishing prowess with clinical 124 and 130 checkouts to beat an in‑form Niels Zonneveld 6-3, earning a second‑round meeting with Premier League star Josh Rock. Dutch semi‑finalist Kevin Doets, who reached the Munich semi‑finals earlier in the month, will take on fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena after fending off a late surge from Jurjen van der Velde. Australian Damon Heta navigated a tough first‑round assignment against Madars Razma and now awaits German number one Martin Schindler on Saturday evening.
Latvian representative Valters Melderis, partner of Razma in the World Cup, celebrated a narrow 6-5 victory over Czech number one Karel Sedlacek, becoming the latest Latvian to win on the big stage. Sweden's Oskar Lukasiak also staged a dramatic comeback, overturning a 5-1 deficit against Daryl Gurney and sealing the match with his tenth dart.
Other notable results 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 of round‑one results 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.
Saturday, 18 April – Round Two (Afternoon Session, 13:00 local / 12:00 BST): Mike De Decker v Krzysztof Ratajski, Jermaine Wattimena v Kevin Doets, Ryan Searle v Wessel Nijman, Danny Noppert v Oskar Lukasiak, Chris Dobey v Andrew Gilding, Gary Anderson v Niko Springer, Stephen Bunting v Mickey Mansell, Josh Rock v Keane Barry. Evening Session (19:00 local / 18:00 BST): Ross Smith v Cameron Menzies, Gerwyn Price v Dave Chisnall, Nathan Aspinall v Jeffrey de Zwaan, James Wade v Kim Huybrechts, Gian van Veen v Joe Cullen, Michael van Gerwen v Michael Unterbuchner, Martin Schindler v Damon Heta, Jonny Clayton v Valters Melderis.
The tournament continues to build momentum as fans wonder who will emerge as the champion. Meanwhile, the Premier League Darts season is also heating up.
Luke Humphries will defend his title, and matches are broadcast every Thursday until May on Sky Sports. Viewers can also stream the action through NOW, which offers a range of darts coverage alongside other top‑level sport.