Dutch Darts Championship Friday Evening Round-up | Michael Smith survives match darts to progress as Kim Huybrechts European Championship participation under huge threat

More drama and action at the Dutch Darts Championship with the first round matchups concluding ahead of the big seeds entering the fray tomorrow. The storylines were dominated around the final chance saloon for players attempting to qualify for the European Championship, as some of the top names fought for a place in next week’s major.

A number of darters were still in contention for Dortmund, and that included Michael Smith, a former winner of the Dutch Darts Championship. He needed to take down Stephen Burton and produce a deep run in Maastricht to qualify after missing out in 2025 for the first time since 2013. That would occur, but only just. He survived two match darts to win 6-5.

‘Bully Boy’ was missing on the outer ring in the first two legs, but so was Burton, and that allowed Smith to charge into a 2-0 lead. A couple off legs allowed ‘Bertie’ to romp straight back. It was three on the spin after a 110 checkout on 110, but a 116 finish from Smith restores parity. At 4-4, Burton missed a dart at tops to put himself in a position to throw for the match. Smith finally found double five, but it went the distance after a great 124 outshot by Burton kept him in contention. He would seize the initiative but missed two match darts. Smith took out 80 in three to keep his hopes alive.

An outside shot was also up for grabs for either Sebastian Bialecki or Daryl Gurney. It was 36th vs 37th, and the Pole managed to seal a 6-4 victory to keep his fleeting hopes alive. He will need a deep run, with a semi-final at minimum possibly enough to get him in.

It was a fast start for ‘Bolt.’ Consecutive 107 checkouts saw him take a 3-0 lead before the two-time major champion got on the board. Bialecki sailed into a 5-1 lead, but missed match darts gave Gurney a second wind. He won three legs on the spin, and the comeback seemed very much on. It was not to be as Bialecki took out 49 to advance. He has reached a semi-final on the European Tour this year and has the capabilities of doing so again, but it is a tall order.

Kim Huybrechts began the day in the top 32 but wanted to guarantee that by the end of the tournament. It is yet more heartbreak after squandering four match darts to lose a thriller against Jimmy van Schie 6-5 and is now vulnerable from an attack behind.

The first four legs were double perfect by both players. An 87 checkout for an 11-darter was followed by an 88 finish on the bull by Van Schie. Huybrechts, who had his earplugs in to block out the noise, had the first darts against the throw for a 100 outshot. Van Schie levelled at 3-3 before a terrific 124 finish on double 11 was followed by a huge reaction. Four darts were missed to break, and that golden opportunity was extinguished with a 92 checkout in two. ‘The Hurricane’ was left on 40 for the match, but three match darts were blown. Van Schie, who had missed double 16 for a 112, made it a 10th consecutive hold and sent it the distance. Huybrechts was in control of the leg, but another match dart was missed. Van Schie took out 116 for the match, a delight to the home crowd.

As for Belgium, there was more misery. After competing in the first 10 European Tour events in 2026, Mike De Decker is finally back in one of these competitions. It was short-lived, with the former World Grand Prix champion going down 6-4 to Niels Zonneveld. It was the ‘Real Deal’ who stole a march in the opening stages, but that was soon shut down by the home favourite. Five consecutive holds followed, with De Decker missing a dart to break and throw for the match. A leg later, it was all over. ‘Tripple Z’ broke in 12 darts on double seven as he became the latest Dutch winner.

Cristo Reyes confirmed his spot in the European Championship for the first time since 2018 with a 6-2 win over Krzysztof Kciuk. His spot seemed pretty secure before play commenced, but he still needed to get it confirmed. After his Polish opponent took a 2-1 lead, ‘The Spartan’ took full control. He won the next five legs, finishing with a 95.8 average despite missing 11 darts on the outer ring. He was firmly in control and will appear in Dortmund next week for the fifth time.

Scott Williams is back on the European Tour, and back in the winning enclosure after a fine comeback saw him take down Niko Springer 6-5. It was Springer who fought himself ahead in the early stages, but Williams was clipping his heels with an eye-catching 120 finish. The German soon took back control after a flurry of missed doubles. A missed dart at tops for 5-3 would prove to be pivotal. Williams broke back for 4-4, and two legs later a decider was called upon. Williams finished in style, holding in 13 darts while with a 180 swiftly being followed by a double 10 being pinned to seal his first European Tour victory of 2026.

There was no home fortune for Richard Veenstra who fell 6-2 against William O’Connor. The Irishman got a break to lead 2-0 but an 80 checkout got Veenstra back in it. ‘The Magpie’ again seized the initiative but this time backed it up with a tumultuous leg with both players missing. O’Connor took out 90 to move one leg away, and against the throw got the job done.

Damon Heta has competed in every European Tour event in 2026 and only lost at the first round stage twice. He kept it at that number following a commendable 6-4 win over the host-nation qualifier Maikel Verberk. He was not going to be fazed by the Dutch support, getting the breakthrough in the sixth leg after both players missed on the outer ring. Heta took his chance before Verberk came fighting back. A 130 checkout was followed by a break of throw as ‘The Heat’ tried to see it out. Not to worry, as Heta got the job done a leg later.