The European Darts Trophy is making a welcomed return to the Euro Tour calendar, lighting up the stage in Göttingen, Germany, after a seven-year hiatus. The tournament kicked off on March 21, 2025, with roots tracing back to its inception in 2013, where Wes Newton claimed victory in the inaugural event.
This year, fans witnessed a thrilling start as players battled through the first round, setting the stage for an exciting second day of competition. As the tournament progresses, top stars like Michael Smith, Chris Dobey, Rob Cross, and premier names like Josh Rock gearing up for the afternoon session on March 22, 2025, anticipation is palpable.
The first match of the second day saw Danny Noppert face Wessel Nijman, following Nijman’s narrow escape against Paul Krohne, where he rallied from a 5-2 deficit to win in a nail-biting finale. The standout fixture of the day was James Wade against Ross Smith. Wade, fresh from a successful run at the UK Open, is eager to showcase his skills after a recent resurgence in form.
Ross Smith, also enjoying a very high standard of play after an impressive average of 106.44 in his opening round victory over Michael Unterbuchner, expressed confidence heading into the clash with Wade: “I’m happy with the win and the good performance, and bring on tomorrow. I’m ready for James and I’m not bothered about who I play - I just concentrate on who I’m playing,” he stated.
In another match featuring Rob Cross, he faced Andrew Gilding, emerging from Premier League action with energized momentum. Gilding, however, had a breezy opener against Callan Rydz, where Rydz’s poor performance was all too evident, setting up an enticing clash.
Next up, Damon Heta faced off against Cameron Menzies in a lively encounter. Menzies, edging a tight Scottish duel against Soutar, won with an impressive 6-2 scoreline, hoping to maintain his winning streak against the ever-entertaining Heta.
Chris Dobey, high on enthusiasm with personal victories beyond the dartboard as his beloved Newcastle United triumphed over Liverpool, expressed determination to channel that energy into his game against Jermaine Wattimena, who moved past Marko Kantele in his opening match.
Michael Smith, a consistent performer, took on Ricardo Pietreczko, who had dispatched Daniel Klose with a 6-3 victory. As a player looking to rebuild confidence, Smith’s journey progresses after an unexpected reprieve not to play on the opening day.
The afternoon session culminated with the intriguing tie between Gian van Veen and Josh Rock. Both young talents are making waves on the tour, and this match is expected to be a show-stopping encounter.
As evening approached, the roster for the next set of exciting fixtures shined brightly. Major stars, including Gary Anderson, Gerwyn Price, and Michael van Gerwen, poised to light up the stage later that night. Van Gerwen, the defending champion, is seeking a bounce-back performance after recent dips in form.
The European Darts Trophy format entails three days packed with action. Afternoon sessions kick off daily at 12 p.m., with evening session matches starting at 6 p.m. The first round consists of 16 Pro Tour players facing off against 16 players from qualifying tournaments. Winners proportionately enter into the second round saturating the long-awaited conclusion of the tournament on Sunday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals on the schedule, set to bring top-notch entertainment.
Each player vying in the tournament walks in with the promise of prize money, with £1250 guaranteed for every participant from the first round. The top 16 entrants into the second round will pocket a minimum of £2,500, with the grand prize set at a striking £30,000 for the eventual champion.
The day continued its competitive spirit with a series of intense matches. In the afternoon session, Wessel Nijman was successful against Danny Noppert with a close 6-5 score, showcasing his prowess on the big stage. Ross Smith bested James Wade with a commanding 6-2, propelling his momentum further in the tournament. Rob Cross outlasted Andrew Gilding, finishing at 6-4, while Cameron Menzies edged past Damon Heta with a similar scoreline of 6-5.
The other notable results included Jermaine Wattimena’s 6-4 victory over Chris Dobey, and Michael Smith routing Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2. Gian van Veen gave a strong performance, defeating Josh Rock 6-4, and Ryan Joyce captured a significant victory over Dimitri Van den Bergh with a scoreline of 6-4.
As fans enjoy the thrilling darts action, live coverage is available via various platforms, including DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, along with additional broadcasts through PDCTV and various bookmakers globally.
With so many riveting matches lined up, the excitement around the European Darts Trophy continues to rise as players reveal their passions on the stage, looking to carve their names into the prestigious history of the tournament.
