European Darts Open Friday Afternoon Round-up | Menzies squanders 5-1 lead as Gilding also stunned in thrilling last-leg deciders

With the 2026 World Matchplay line-up confirmed, the European Darts open is the perfect opportunity for those qualified players to get some last-minute practice in. However, some of the big names in action would see their tournament abruptly end at the first hurdle.

No one more significant than Cameron Menzies who was in cruise control at one point before losing five legs in a row in an unbelievable comeback by home hero Jan Schmidt who won 6-5.

Menzies was playing at a very high level, not giving his opponent any chances. He went seven darts into the perfect leg, looking like he would breeze to glory. Them, the trebles dried up and Schmidt’s level rose. He produced some stunning darts to get back into the match, levelling at 5-5 to throw for the final leg. He stole a march as Menzies failed to get the 121 started. He kept his cool and sealed a maiden European Tour win with his first match dart for the contest, leaving him to run off in celebrations as Menzies pondered on what just happened.

Added to that, the former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding was dumped out. Gilding had won the prior six matches against Rob Owen, but that streak was brought to an emphatic end in a thrilling contest. The Welshman prevailed 6-5 in what was a tie that had everything. The lead changed hands numerous times as Gilding sneaked ahead once more. Owen then came perilously close to pinning the nine-darter, missing double 12 by the width of a wire. He cleaned up in 11, but ‘Goldfinger’ continued to pressure. 11 and 12 darters saw the match go to a last-leg decider, in which Owen produced a bit more quality. A 180 was followed by a 102 checkout on double 16, and an early end to Gilding’s campaign in Leverkusen.

Dirk van Duijvenbode had no issue in taking down German debutant Jaimy Van de Weerd 6-3 despite a threat of a late comeback. He started as he would go on, with a 16-dart break. He took out 74 in two before securing a double break following his opponent missing three at tops. 'The Aubergenius' moved within two of the match as Van de Weerd got his first leg on the board. Van Duijvenbode was one of the four players set to compete in Blackpool soon, and was really hopeful of some good preparation. He moved 5-1 to the good before Van de Weerd kept the pressure on by closing the gap to 5-3 after van Duijvenbode missed a match dart. The comeback would not last, and the Dutchman progressed with an eye-catching 106 checkout.

Ryan Joyce wanted preparation for the upcoming World Matchplay which he will be participating in. He was not at his best, but he was able to prevail against Finnish debutant Mio Varila 6-1. Joyce excelled on the double 16 and eight segment of the board, but seemingly everywhere else he struggled. While Varila got one leg on the board, his scoring was not on the same level as ‘Relentless’ romped to victory, albeit making it a lot harder than it needed to be.

Rhys Griffin’s long-awaited European Tour debut almost ended in a brilliant comeback win but would culminate in heartbreak as four match darts were missed in a 6-5 loss to Karel Sedlacek. The Czech sprinted out to a 4-1 lead and then edged within one of the match. Griffin closed the gap, breaking the throw to level at 5-5 after surviving a match dart. He would create four more in a remarkably tense decider, losing out in gut-wrenching fashion as Sedlacek pinned double four with his final dart.

Mickey Mansell was not playing his best stuff but did not need to in a comfortable 6-1 win over the Eastern European qualifier Michal Smejda. The Czech found his first double as Mansell struggled in the opening stages, but the Irishman snuck ahead and continued to edge clear with as his opponent failed to challenge him.

It was not a classic between Mario Vandenbogaerde and Dragutin Horvat. Both players averaged in the 70s in a tie dominated by missed doubles. Vandenbogaerde especially was dreadful on the outer ring and paid the price in a 6-2 defeat. Horvat most certainly pleased the home crowd, securing a double break early on. Vandenbogaerde got on the board as he started to get into the match but squandered efforts at doubles cost him as Horvat got over the line. It is a huge blow for the Belgian who is in need of ranking money with his Tour Card on the line.

The German glory would not continue as Lukas Wenig put in a really underwhelming showing as he lost out in a flat game against Bradley Brooks 6-2. Neither played showed their best qualities, but after trading breaks at the start of the match ‘Bam Bam’ had that clinical edge on the outer ring which Wenig could not produce. He progressed knowing that he will need to be much better against Wessel Nijman tomorrow.