European Darts Open 2026 Roundup | Krzysztof Ratajski storms back from 6-4 down to deny Jermaine Wattimena and win third Euro Tour title

Krzysztof Ratajski won the 2026 European Darts Open after surviving a dramatic five-leg surge from Jermaine Wattimena to seal an 8-6 victory in Leverkusen.

The Polish Eagle surrendered an early 4-1 advantage and fell 6-4 behind as Wattimena threatened to complete an emotional run to his first European Tour title. Ratajski responded by winning the final four legs, preserving his perfect record in European Tour finals and collecting the third title of his career on the circuit.

Wattimena reached his first European Tour final after surviving Luke Woodhouse 6-5 in a quarter-final where every leg went with throw.

A 104 checkout moved the Dutchman within one of victory before Woodhouse forced a decider, but Wattimena held his nerve on double two. The breakthrough left him in tears during his post-match interview.

He was far more comfortable in the semi-final, racing into a 4-0 lead against Damon Heta before completing a 7-3 win on double five.

Ratajski ended Nathan Aspinall’s title defence with a 6-4 quarter-final victory, breaking for the first time at 3-3 before closing out the match on double four.

The Pole then recovered from 3-0 down against Sebastian Bialecki in the semi-final. A 110 checkout and spectacular 170 finish brought him level before he eventually sealed a 7-5 win with a 100.40 average and a 72 checkout on double 20.

Ratajski entered his third European Tour final chasing a third title, while Wattimena was appearing in a final on the circuit for the first time.

The Pole immediately settled into the contest, holding throw in 15 darts with a 48 checkout before securing the first break on double 20. A 180 at the start of the third leg kept Wattimena under pressure and, after the Dutchman missed the bull, Ratajski returned to pin tops and establish a 3-0 lead.

Ratajski then had two darts at double 20 to move four clear, but both went begging. Wattimena punished on the same target to open his account, only for the Pole to respond with another 180 and a 52 finish to restore his three-leg advantage at 4-1.

Wattimena held throw with a 15-darter and celebrated with a fierce pump of the fist before applying pressure in the seventh leg. Ratajski wired tops for an 82 checkout and Wattimena stepped in on double 20 to claim the first break of his own.

The Leverkusen crowd sensed the shift. Wattimena cleaned up 52 to level the final at 4-4, drawing a huge roar from the stands as the Dutchman completed three successive legs.

Ratajski looked set to stop the run in the ninth, but missed double seven. Wattimena seized the chance with the finish of the final, taking out 84 on the bull to lead for the first time.

The Pole’s problems on the outer ring continued in the next leg. Five darts at double 18 went begging and Wattimena again showed no mercy, finding double two to complete a run of five consecutive legs and move 6-4 ahead.

A sixth straight leg was within reach when Wattimena earned a dart at tops, but the opportunity slipped away. Ratajski survived on double six to reduce the deficit and halt the Dutchman’s charge.

Both players then struggled to close the 12th leg. Wattimena missed his chance to protect the lead before Ratajski finally found double two to break back and restore parity at 6-6.

The turnaround gathered pace from there. Ratajski held throw to move 7-6 ahead, completing three successive legs and leaving himself one away from the title.

Wattimena still had the opportunity to force a decider, but missed inside double 20 and then double 10. Ratajski stepped forward with 56 remaining and completed the checkout to secure an 8-6 victory.

His 92.43 average was enough to withstand Wattimena’s 86.73, with the Pole recovering from 6-4 down to win the final four legs and maintain a flawless three-from-three record in European Tour finals.

Ratajski will carry the confidence of another European Tour title into the World Matchplay, where he faces Gian van Veen in the first round on Sunday, July 19.

Wattimena leaves Leverkusen without the trophy, but with his first European Tour final behind him ahead of a meeting with James Wade on the same evening in Blackpool.

Both now have one week to recover before the focus shifts from the Ostermann-Arena to the Winter Gardens.