"Michael van Gerwen had beaten me 26 out of 26 and I did get one win eventually": Dave Chisnall uses analogy on Ross Smith hoodoo after De Zwaan great escape

Dave Chisnall apart from Kevin Doets' record average was perhaps the big story on Day One of the 2026 European Darts Trophy with the St Helens ace managing to come back in an expert comeback against Jeffrey de Zwaan.

Chisnall who has shedded the pounds had some thinking it might have done him more harm than good as he went down towards a whitewash defeat. He was averaging around 75 and was certainly not at his best as De Zwaan took full advantage at the European Darts Trophy.

But he began to tick off legs and survived three match darts to edge through in the end in one of the most remarkable comebacks in European Tour history.

But while he won through in a real scrap, he saw the humour behind it in his post match interview “It was a weird game. I’d rather start the match in pieces than end it,” joked Chisnall, who faces former European Champion Ross Smith on Saturday. That last leg was a bit weird, we both didn’t score well. But I took the finish, and I’m happy!

But while he managed to win through, Chisnall admitted that he faces another uphill struggle on Saturday in Gottingen when he faces off against a certain Ross Smith.

Chisnall while perhaps would be a concern on the outset due to the fact that he was poor against De Zwaan also failed to register a win during the last seven games against 'Smudger' so in reality it is a bit of an uphill struggle.

He compared it though to his poor record against Michael van Gerwen as a way of dampening the flames and showing that in reality, it is a hoodoo but one he has experienced before and overcame. Michael van Gerwen had won 26 out of 26 games in a row before Chisnall finally managed to beat him.

“I’ve got to play a lot better tomorrow than I did tonight. Ross Smith is a great darts player.

“He’s beaten me in seven of the last seven games, but Michael van Gerwen had beaten me 26 out of 26 games and I did get one win eventually!”