Cameron Menzies put on a dazzling performance on the first day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, while three former world 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 moment, dispatching the veteran Raymond van Barneveld 6‑3 in a match that highlighted his growing confidence. The 36‑year‑old Australian finished the contest with a flurry of high‑scoring legs – 11, 13 and 13 darts respectively – and posted a 104.5 average, marking his fifth consecutive victory over the Dutch legend.
"I felt tremendous there. I wish I could play like that all the time," Menzies said after the win, before noting that every encounter with "Barney" pushes him to his limits.
"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 champion to depart early.
Two‑time world champion Rob Cross and 2017 winner Peter Wright both fell in Sindelfingen, losing to Mickey Mansell and Jeffrey de Zwaan respectively. Cross, who captured the European Darts Grand Prix title in 2023, was outclassed 6‑2 by a clinical Mansell, who averaged 100.32 and earned a quarter‑final clash with seventh seed Stephen Bunting. De Zwaan, meanwhile, edged past Wright after a hard‑fought battle, setting up a meeting with newly crowned German Darts Grand Prix champion Nathan Aspinall.
Former champion Ian White also bowed out, succumbing 6‑2 to European Darts Trophy winner Wessel Nijman. Nijman, who is chasing a fifth PDC ranking title this weekend, will now turn his attention to the next round.
In contrast, a resurging 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 face defending champion Gary Anderson in one of Saturday's marquee matches. Local favourite Michael Unterbuchner also shone on home soil, delivering three checkouts of 100 or more 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.
Joe Cullen, after a comfortable 6‑1 triumph over Maik Kuivenhoven, will meet top seed Gian van Veen, while Dave Chisnall and Gerwyn Price are set for a blockbuster tie after the eight‑time European Tour winner edged a gruelling 6‑4 win against Czech representative Petr Krivka. Keane Barry displayed clinical finishing, hitting 124 and 130 checkouts to beat an in‑form Niels Zonneveld 6‑3, which earns him a second‑round showdown with Premier League star Josh Rock. Kevin Doets, a semi‑finalist in Munich earlier this month, will clash with Jermaine Wattimena in an all‑Dutch encounter after fending off a spirited comeback from fellow countryman Jurjen van der Velde.
Damon Heta navigated a tough opening match 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 also celebrated, slipping past Czech number one Karel Sedlacek to become the latest Latvian to win on a major stage.
Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak produced drama of his own, surrendering a 5‑1 lead to Daryl Gurney before ultimately clinching the match with his tenth dart. Elsewhere, last year’s runner‑up Andrew Gilding and Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski completed the round‑two lineup after beating host‑nation pair Paul Krohne and Michael Hurtz respectively.
**Round One – 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.
**Round Two – Saturday, 18 April** *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 also serves as a preview for the Premier League Darts, where Luke Humphries will defend his title. Matches are broadcast every Thursday on Sky Sports, and fans can stream the action alongside other top‑level sport through NOW.
Overall, the opening day delivered a mix of surprise exits, dominant performances and thrilling comebacks, setting the stage for an exciting second round and beyond as the European Darts Grand Prix continues to unfold.