Dirk van Duijvenbode dumped out in shock loss to unheralded Anton Östlund at Swiss Darts Trophy

It was mixed fortunes for the Dutch to start Friday night as Jermaine Wattimena advanced to the second round at the Swiss Darts Trophy 2024 in Basel on Friday night but Dirk van Duijvenbode lost to unheralded Anton Ostlund.

In the opening match of the evening session, Wattimena triumphed 6-4 against Ritchie Edhouse. Wattimena was broken right away in the first leg after he missed a dart on tops for a 120 finish. Edhouse then threw out 84 for the lead. However, 'The Machine Gun' broke right back and produced a 76 check-out in the third leg to take over the lead.

In the fourth leg, Wattimena had two break opportunities, but was unable to capitalize on them. He did take a 3-2 lead with a 46 out. The next three legs also went with the darts, making it 4-4 after eight legs. Wattimena then regained the lead after a 16-darter in the ninth leg. Edhouse failed to force a deciding leg, after which Wattimena decided the match with a 17-darter. The Dutchman will now meet Josh Rock in the next round.

Immediately after Wattimena's duel, Dirk van Duijvenbode also had a chance to qualify for the second round of this Euro Tour tournament, but 'Aubergenius' lost 6-2 to Anton Östlund in his first match.

The 32-year-old Dutchman started the match with a 13-darter, but saw the next two legs go to his Swedish opponent. Östlund threw out 68 for the equalizer and took over the lead with a 15-darter. Van Duijvenbode then had four chances to level the score, but failed on the doubles. These misses were punished by Östlund, who managed to make it 3-1 with a 73 finish.

The Swede then dealt another blow to Van Duijvenbode by breaking him again with a 96 finish. Östlund then kept his own leg with a 104 checkout, after Van Duijvenbode missed one chance on the bullseye for a rebreak. Van Duijvenbode then did reduce the deficit to 2-5 after he managed to hit the double 8. However, he was unable to produce another good leg, because in Östlund's leg Van Duijvenbode was only 157 after five visits. Östlund managed to throw a 180 and took the match to his opponent with a 16-darter.

Because of this elimination Van Duijvenbode runs into at least placement for the World Grand Prix. Van Duijvenbode still has a slim chance of qualifying for the European Championship, but does not have his fate in his own hands as he is missing the final Euro Tour tournament of the season in October.