DISCUSSION | European Darts Open: Is a gap starting to emerge from darting elite as question marks about Stephen Bunting and Danny Noppert emerge

The European Darts Open took place this past weekend which saw Krzysztof Ratajski seal the title. He defeated Jermaine Wattimena in the final.

But not only was it the latest European Tour, but it was also the final tournament before the World Matchplay which is due to take place in the coming week in Blackpool.

What of the big names who will adorn Blackpool as we get winners and losers heading into the next major. But also the question about perhaps a gap emerging between the darting elite and the rest of the field with poor averages in the heat in Leverkusen. All of that and more in the latest Discussion after the latest European Tour foray of the season.

Pieter Verbeek, Editor for DartsNieuws.com believe some like James Wade missed an opportunity this weekend.

"The European Tour delivered another weekend full of surprises, with the extreme heat inside the arena in Leverkusen playing a significant role throughout the event. The standard of play at the European Darts Open was far from spectacular, as averages in the 80s were a common sight and only six three-figure averages were recorded across the entire tournament.

"Several players will undoubtedly look back on Leverkusen wondering whether they missed a golden opportunity to add another European Tour title to their résumé. Michael van Gerwen's campaign came to an end in the last 16 against Damon Heta, while Gian van Veen also exited at that stage after losing to Krzysztof Ratajski. James Wade, still searching for his first European Tour title in a decade, saw his hopes ended by Sebastian Bialecki in the quarter-finals.

"In the end, it was the two Polish stars who made history. Krzysztof Ratajski and Sebastian Bialecki both reached the final session, marking the first time in European Tour history that two Polish players had advanced to the quarter-finals of the same event. Their dream runs continued into the semi-finals, where they faced each other for a place in the final. Ratajski's experience ultimately proved decisive, sending 'The Polish Eagle' through to his third European Tour final.

"Awaiting him was Jermaine Wattimena, who had reached the semi-finals of a European Tour event for the first time in his career. 'The Machine Gun' even looked set to complete a remarkable triumph after overturning a 4-1 deficit into a 6-4 lead in the final. However, Ratajski produced a superb late rally to win the last four legs and deny the Dutchman a maiden European Tour title.

"Dirk van Duijvenbode also enjoyed a productive weekend in Leverkusen by reaching the quarter-finals. 'Aubergenius' is now all but certain of qualifying for the World Grand Prix and has further strengthened his position in the provisional field for the European Championship."

Mats Leering, Editor for DartsNieuws.com raised the point of while top players are absent this is perhaps not a great thing.

"It was another interesting European Tour tournament last weekend in Leverkusen. Partly due to the absence of several top players, the path to the title was wide open for several competitors. Whilst the favourites were a bit of a let-down for me, there were also plenty of pleasant surprises.

"Nathan Aspinall and Wessel Nijman will have been gutted that they weren’t really in contention for the title this weekend. Nijman lost in the quarter-finals to his compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode, who finished particularly strongly in that match. ‘The Asp’ made it to the semi-finals, but to his own frustration had to concede defeat to the eventual winner, Krzysztof Ratajski.

"For the Pole, this marked his third Euro Tour title and his first since 2023. Unfortunately for Jermaine Wattimena, his opponent in the final, he will have to wait a little longer for his first title on the European Tour podium. The Dutchman certainly deserves such a title, but will have to be patient for a little while longer.

"Whilst the absence of the top players offers opportunities to others, it also highlights just how great the gap is between the very best in the world and the group below them. This weekend, several players fell short and could not manage better than an average of around 80. The upside of this is that it produces stories such as that of Jan Schmidt, who beat Dave Chisnall and Mike De Decker in front of his home crowd to reach the last 16.

"For Schmidt, despite the fact that his own average wasn’t much higher than 80, this will nevertheless feel like one of the best weekends of his life so far. And that’s the beauty of the Euro Tour.

Samuel Gill, Head Editor for DartsNews.com agrees with said point about the gap widening between the big names and that despite the success tories, there is perhaps an issue.

Krzysztof Ratajski given all he has gone through with well mooted health issues for me deserves a big pat on the back when it comes to coming back and producing as he has.

It shows a real grit that he has always shown to his game. Never to be written off. Also Nathan Aspinall who by his own admission didn't cope with the heat in the end has to be given props as he again showed that with the absence of the big names, he is the next cab off the rank so to speak.

Which brings me to another point which was just raised by my colleague that there is a bit of a gap opening in that with big names deciding to snub these events, there is more of a gap widening between the big names and the standard did show this weekend.

More and more, the metaphorical noose is tightening on the PDC, likely needing to either make these players play or add some fixes to bring the gap down. Perhaps this might be evident at the World Matchplay.

Oliver Ried, Editor for DartsNews.DE as expected lauded the display of Jan Schmidt but raised question marks about Bunting and Noppert.

"The European Darts Open was perhaps the hottest European Tour event of the year. Some players showed they are in top form ahead of the World Matchplay, while others are causing major concern.

"With Krzysztof Ratajski, yet another new face won a European Tour title this year. The Pole has steadily improved over the past few months, producing better and better performances and showing glimpses of his best form. He has now rewarded himself with his third European Tour title and heads into the World Matchplay full of confidence. Jermaine Wattimena will also travel to Blackpool with plenty of confidence. He has worked hard for this success over the past few years, and I am especially pleased for him that he has finally broken his European Tour quarter-final curse. Had his doubling not let him down slightly in the final, he might even have ended up lifting the trophy.

"Jan Schmidt is, of course, also one of the biggest winners of the weekend. The German came back from 5-1 down against Cameron Menzies, only to then defeat Mike De Decker as well. Schmidt keeps improving this year and has now shown it on the big stage, with his timing against Menzies being particularly outstanding.

"Among the losers is Danny Noppert. Unfortunately, we have heard very little from the usually consistent Dutchman recently. Just one win in his last four European Tour events is certainly a worrying sign. Martin Schindler also delivered anything but an ideal dress rehearsal for the World Matchplay. The inconsistent German produced a poor performance, especially during the opening stages of his match, and lost to Kevin Doets with an average of just 79. He will have to raise his game considerably against Gerwyn Price in Blackpool.

"Stephen Bunting also continues to raise question marks. His defeat to Ryan Joyce does little to improve his situation and leaves further doubts ahead of the World Matchplay.

"In my opinion, Niko Springer and Max Hopp were also among the positives. Springer exited the tournament despite averaging 105 and 101, while Hopp produced a strong performance against Rob Cross before unfortunately missing several chances against Krzysztof Ratajski."

Nicolas Gayer, Editor for DartsNews.DE spoke about Ratajski and that he did tip him for a good World Matchplay run but hopes this isn't the ultimate peak to keep his prediction alive.

"The European Darts Open in Leverkusen finally delivered a true underdog story once again. Jan Schmidt produced exactly the kind of fairytale that makes the European Tour so special. A player without a Tour Card, who had never previously won a match on the European Tour, stormed into the final day and found himself facing the living legend James Wade.

"At the same time, however, Schmidt was honestly one of the few bright spots from Germany’s weekend. Dragutin Horvat celebrated his first European Tour victory in more than three years, while Niko Springer produced outstanding darts, averaging over 105 and 102 in his two matches.

"The season continues to be far less successful for Germany’s number one, Martin Schindler. “The Wall”, who was one of the defining players of the past two European Tour campaigns, suffered an opening-round defeat to Kevin Doets, averaging just 79. So far, Schindler’s season has resembled an uncomfortable rollercoaster ride, and at this stage he does not look to be in World Matchplay form.

"The title ultimately went to a player whom I tipped in the latest episode of our Dartsnews podcast as my dark horse for a deep run at the World Matchplay in Blackpool — and I just hope Krzysztof Ratajski has not peaked too early."

"No, but seriously: the way the Pole has fought his way back to the top of the sport over the past few months, following both a serious sporting slump and significant health problems, deserves the utmost respect. And who knows? This version of “The Polish Eagle” may well give more than a few top players a real headache in Blackpool."