Luke Littler storms into European Championship quarter-finals with 114 average as Jonny Clayton survives Josh Rock scare
PDC
Luke Littler produced a sensational performance to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 European Championship, averaging more than 114 in a commanding victory over Nathan Aspinall. Jonny Clayton also booked his place in the last eight, although he had to survive a late fightback from Josh Rock before sealing an impressive 10-8 win.
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Elsewhere, Krzysztof Ratajski edged out Kevin Doets in a thrilling encounter, while Martin Schindler proved too clinical for Jermaine Wattimena to secure a convincing victory. The defeats of Doets and Wattimena mean all Dutch players have now been eliminated from the tournament, marking the first time since 2018 that no Dutchman will feature in the European Championship quarter-finals.
Littler averages 114 to overpower Aspinall
Luke Littler delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament so far, defeating Nathan Aspinall 10-5 with an outstanding average of 114.47.
Aspinall also produced an impressive display, averaging 105.57, but even that was not enough to keep pace with the reigning world champion.
Littler has largely stayed away from the European Tour this year.
Littler exploded out of the blocks, firing in two 12-dart legs and two 11-darters to establish a commanding 4-0 lead. Aspinall managed to get a leg on the board before the first interval, preventing the deficit from becoming even more daunting.
'The Asp' subsequently mounted a determined fightback in the second session, producing superb finishes of 112 and 121 to close the gap to 5-4. Littler responded by winning the next leg to take a 6-4 advantage into the second break.
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The third session ultimately belonged to Littler, who pulled away to secure his place in the quarter-finals. Aspinall managed to claim one more leg, but the teenager's relentless scoring power proved too much as he wrapped up a 10-5 victory.
Despite Aspinall's impressive average, Littler's 114.47 demonstrated just how difficult he will be to stop as he continues his bid for another major title.
Clayton survives Rock fightback to reach quarter-finals
Jonny Clayton also progressed to the last eight after defeating Josh Rock 10-8, although the Welshman had to work hard to get over the line.
Clayton looked set to establish a commanding lead in the opening session, racing into a 3-0 advantage. However, a series of missed doubles allowed Rock to claw his way back into the contest, with the Northern Irishman reducing the deficit to 3-2 before the first interval.
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Clayton regained control during the second session and, after Rock levelled the match at 3-3, the Welshman won three consecutive legs to move 6-3 ahead. Rock responded by claiming the next leg to keep himself within touching distance at 6-4.
'The Ferret' continued to hold the advantage in the final session, eventually moving within one leg of victory at 9-6. However, the finish proved far more complicated than Clayton would have wanted.
Six missed match darts gave Rock a lifeline, allowing the Northern Irishman to win two consecutive legs and close the gap to 9-8. Clayton eventually ended the contest in style, landing a superb 121 checkout to seal a 10-8 victory and confirm his place in the quarter-finals.
Ratajski edges Doets in dramatic encounter
Kevin Doets was unable to reach his first PDC major quarter-final after suffering a narrow 10-8 defeat to Krzysztof Ratajski.
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The Dutchman made an excellent start, holding throw in 14 darts before immediately breaking Ratajski's throw. Another poor leg from the Pole allowed Doets to move 3-0 ahead, and an impressive 80 checkout helped him secure a second break for a commanding 4-0 lead.
Ratajski managed to reduce the deficit to 4-1 before the first interval, but Doets' advantage began to disappear during the second session.
The Pole held his throw and then broke Doets to close the gap to 4-3. Doets subsequently missed three darts to move 5-3 ahead, allowing Ratajski to draw level before taking his first lead of the match with a 95 checkout.
Doets responded brilliantly, producing a 106 finish to ensure the match was tied at 5-5 going into the second break.
The Dutchman initially regained the initiative after the interval, firing in a 12-darter and a 73 checkout to move 7-5 ahead. However, Ratajski remained composed and reduced the deficit to 7-6.
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Doets then capitalised on missed doubles from his opponent to restore a two-leg advantage at 8-6, but he was unable to close out the match.
Ratajski produced clinical finishes of 81 and 84 to level the contest at 8-8 before winning the final two legs to complete a 10-8 victory and book his place in the quarter-finals.
Schindler too clinical for Wattimena
Jermaine Wattimena was eliminated after a 10-4 defeat to Martin Schindler, despite the Dutchman arguably being the stronger player on the scoring side of the game.
Schindler's finishing proved decisive, with the German capitalising on his opponent's missed doubles to take control of the contest.
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The match began in frustrating fashion for Wattimena, who missed five darts at double in the opening leg. Schindler took full advantage, breaking throw on double two before holding his own throw to establish a 2-0 lead.
Wattimena responded with a 15-dart leg, but Schindler restored his two-leg advantage with a 70 checkout. The Dutchman managed to hold throw again before the first interval, going into the break trailing 3-2.
Schindler speaks afterwards.
Schindler extended his lead during the second session after Wattimena missed the bullseye, moving 4-2 ahead. 'The Machine Gun' briefly reduced the deficit to one leg, but another missed opportunity on tops allowed the German to move 5-3 ahead.
A superb 121 checkout then gave Schindler a two-break advantage before he finished the session with a 91 checkout to establish a commanding 7-3 lead.
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Wattimena won the first leg after the interval to make it 7-4, but Schindler quickly regained control when his opponent missed two darts at double in the following leg.
The German then produced a 12-darter to move within one leg of victory before sealing the contest with an 80 checkout for a convincing 10-4 win.
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Schindler's clinical finishing ultimately made the difference, sending him into the quarter-finals while ending Wattimena's hopes of progressing further.
With Doets and Wattimena both eliminated, the Netherlands will have no representation in the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time since 2018.
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Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- I agree,I can't believe the lack of coverage of this sad loss. Always enjoyed watching him,but I guess now it's all about littler,well it seems that way. Darts has sadly lost a good manrick6717-10-2026
- In the absence of a report regarding the death of Stefan Lord, I'll assist. An excellent player in the late 70s and early 80s, he actually won the now defunct 3rd place match at two World Championships and a couple of the News of the World Championships. A fabulous player and easily the best Swedish player ever. Rest peacefully Stefan.richieburnettrocks16-10-2026
- Joking aside, it is the second most watched sport on sky (more than golf, F1 etc) behind football only, and in participation is second to only football and swimming. It doesn't get the attention or sponsorship of "bigger" sports because it's not as sexy, but it's right up there.BandB13-10-2026
- i love darts but you can't seriously believe it's the second most popular sport in the uk. even top five is pushing it. it may be the fastest growing, though.colt13-10-2026
- I'm a big Clayton fan, but he's got this completely wrong. Qualification criteria exists for a reason - so just as failing to make the top 32/64 for the Euro championships/PT Finals means you miss out, so does not lifting a title for this one.26sForFun12-10-2026
- The players who deliberately slow the game down are usually boring and win very little in the way of silverware. Horrible to watch.MrYnyslas197112-10-2026
- [“The Gentle” then used a sweeping and questionable phrase...] You anglocucks are hilariously finished in every sense of the word.Critical99911-10-2026
- I love Jonny but I disagree. The Grand Slam was always supposed to be "champion of champions" type competition. If the top 16 are guaranteed participation in everything there will be so much less jeopardy involved in qualifying and each major tournament will lose its unique flavour which the PDC has worked hard trying to develop. I enjoy following the qualification races towards the end of the year, and while consistency should have its rewards, the truth is Jonny hasn't reached a major final all year or won a single event on the Pro Tour. Being consistent is one thing, but that alone should have consequences as the sport's elite should not be prepared to accept consistently strong performances, their foremost motivation should be to win and this should be what separates them from the rest, not the consistency of their performances. Jonny is expecting that losing should be enough; it shouldn't be, at least not as far as the Grand Slam is concerned.Deduce635811-10-2026
- Well being honest,it doesn't matter what level you play at, there's always someone who slows it down to suit themselves,and extra swig of water, replacing flights, asking the ref what the score is. It happens wherever. I'm not saying it's professional,but I'm sure we've all seen it beforerick6711-10-2026
- Agree completely. Not sure how a ranking event can have a criteria not based on rankings. And he right on popularity. In the UK second only to football.BandB11-10-2026
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