"Really difficult – We live together in England": Lukas Wenig takes biggest win of his career against Niko Springer to keep Grand Slam fairy-tale alive

Lukas Wenig’s dream debut on the Grand Slam of Darts stage shows no sign of slowing down, as the German edged housemate and close friend Niko Springer 10–8 to reach a first televised quarter-final. It is already the biggest week of Wenig’s career, and this victory – carved out through nerveless finishing and a display of real steel – only deepened the sense that something special is brewing.

Springer burst out of the blocks with back-to-back 15-darers for 2–0, but Wenig refused to blink. He levelled immediately, only for Springer to produce a superb 12-darter and a tidy 70 checkout to move 5–3 ahead. At that point, the favourite looked like he was beginning to pull away.

Instead, Wenig detonated the moment that changed everything. A majestic 154 checkout stunned Springer and stunned the crowd. Wenig called it the “game changer,” and it proved exactly that. He dragged himself level at the second interval and walked off knowing the entire match dynamic had shifted.

From there, the debutant began to look like the seasoned professional. He moved ahead for the first time at 6–5, pinning tops yet again. At that stage he’d hit six of his seven darts at the outer ring. Springer briefly responded with a 14-darter and a hold to lead 7–6, but Wenig’s finishing simply would not break.

He took out 73 in two darts to break again, held for 9–7, and despite missing two match darts on double 16, he returned a leg later and finished the job on tops to complete the biggest win of his life.

Speaking afterwards, Wenig admitted the emotional strain of facing a close friend and housemate on such a big night. “It was really difficult,” he said. “We talked a lot before the game because we are friends. We have the same avenue here in England, we live together, we have the meals together. To play a friend to reach the quarters… it’s difficult.”

Wenig revealed the pair even ate and practised together earlier in the day, agreeing to compete on stage as opponents but remain close once the game was over. “We said before the game everything is fine on stage, we will be opponents, but after the game we will be friends too.”

Springer stayed true to that promise. “He said for me it's important for the tour card and he is happy for me. He’s very glad and proud. He’s such a friendly guy.”

While the win could prove pivotal in securing his tour card, Wenig was adamant that the pressure of rankings wasn’t a factor on stage. “Not tonight. The plan was only to win the game and get the next step. For the tour, that’s not important today.”

He did admit, however, that earlier this year he expected to lose his card entirely. “Half the year I said normally it’s too difficult to hold my tour card. But then I reached the final on tour, got to the Worlds, and I believe and work for it. Now I have the chance to keep it.”

Wenig also spoke passionately about the rise of German darts and whether a major champion from the country is inevitable, and sooner rather than later.

“Yes, I think in the future there will be one," he answered confidently. "We have Martin, we have Gaga, we have Niko. They are absolutely top players and can go at the high level. One of these will make it happen.”

Wenig has openly battled nerves and confidence issues on stage, with tonight marking the clearest sign yet of progress.

“It’s difficult for me to find confidence on the stage. I’m really nervous. You saw some darts fly far away. But it’s unbelievable to come to the quarter-finals.”

He credited his mental coach for helping him steady his performances. “Believe. Stay in the moment. Don’t look back, don’t look in the future. I think today I saw that the work is working.”

When asked how significant the 154 finish was, Wenig didn’t hesitate. “In this moment this was the game changer. I had six darts before without the treble, then find two big and hit tops. That was the moment to show it’s possible to win this game.”

Wenig will now face Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals, after the former UK Open champion dumped out his compatriot Michael van Gerwen in Wolverhampton. On this evidence, Wenig might make life difficult for Noppert on Saturday night.