Schedule Friday afternoon at Baltic Sea Darts Open including Menzies, Van Veen, Huybrechts v White

The northern German city of Kiel will host the ninth Euro Tour tournament of the season from July 11 to 13 as the Baltic Sea Darts Open begins.

The Baltic Sea Darts Open is the last chance for the top players to get in shape for the World Matchplay, which begins a week later. However, not all the top players are present. Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Ryan Joyce and Andrew Gilding have chosen to skip the tournament. Michael Smith is also not in attendance. 'Bullyboy' failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time in thirteen years.

Rob Cross starts the tournament as the defending champion, after winning 8-6 over Luke Humphries in last year's final. The first matches from the opening round are scheduled for Friday afternoon, read a preview below.

The afternoon session at the Wunderino Arena will be kicked off by Mickey Mansell and Miroslaw Grudziecki. Mansell, the current No. 43 in the world, has been around for a long time in the PDC. The 51-year-old Northern Irishman is known for his slow game, which many a player struggles with. Against Grudziecki, for whom it is his debut on a European Tour tournament, Mansell starts as high favorite. The winner will face first-seeded Luke Humphries in the second round.

Speaking of a slow player, German Liam Maendl-Lawrance also fits the bill. Maendl-Lawrance had previously been active in several European Tour tournaments, yet starts as the clear underdog in his duel with Luke Woodhouse. 'Woody' is having a pretty good season, has established himself in the top 32 of the world rankings and is also qualified for the upcoming World Matchplay. James Wade awaits the winner of this duel in the second round.

Next it is the turn of Cameron Menzies and Yorick Hofkens. Menzies already won a Players Championship this year and is leaning closer and closer to the top 32 in the world rankings. The 18-year-old Hofkens will make his debut on a European Tour tournament this weekend. That he has talent is obvious, as he won the WDF Europe Cup in 2023 in the youth category. The winner will face Ryan Searle in the second round;

Gian van Veen we hardly need to introduce these days. The 23-year-old Dutchman won his first PDC ranking title this year thanks to a final victory at the sixth Players Champioship of the year. Van Veen, who earlier this year also reached the quarter-finals of the UK Open and has climbed to 22nd place in the world rankings, should in principle have little problem with Johan Engstrom. Although the Swede is an experienced player who has played regularly on the European Tour, he should be no match for Van Veen. Jonny Clayton awaits the winner of this duel in the second round.

Jermaine Wattimena will take on Callan Rydz in the opening round. Wattimena is having a stable year and confirms the good of last year, when he reached the final at the European Championship. With Rydz, however, he did not hit it off in the opening round. The 27-year-old Englishman has been known for years as a great talent, although he has been struggling to get some regularity in his performances. Rydz reached the quarterfinals of the World Darts Championship earlier this year and many followers expected him to follow up on that strong performance. That has not happened this year, although he is a player who should never be underestimated. The winner of this match will meet Martin Schindler in the second round;

Krzysztof Ratajski meets Richard Veenstra in the opening round. A favorite for this duel seems difficult, both men are not particularly far apart in the world rankings. Perhaps Ratajski starts this match as a slight favorite, especially considering his strong performance at the Poland Darts Masters last week. Both men are vying for a spot in the second round against Gary Anderson.

Wessel Nijman reached the semi-finals each of the last two tournaments on the European Tour and will be keen to do even better this weekend. For 56-year-old Martin Kramer, it will be his debut on the European Tour. Damon Heta awaits the winner of this duel in the next round.

The afternoon session will conclude with the duel between Kim Huybrechts and Ian White. Huybrechts could only appear in extremis for this tournament after the cancellation of several players. For the 39-year-old Belgian this is an excellent opportunity to give his disappointing year some extra color. Huybrechts has to pass White in the first instance. The experienced Englishman has won three European Tour tournaments in the past, but his best years are already behind him. This could be an exciting match. The winner meets Ross Smith in the next round;

Mickey Mansell v Miroslaw Grudziecki

Luke Woodhouse v Liam Maendl-Lawrance

Cameron Menzies v Yorick Hofkens

Gian van Veen v Johan Engstrom

Jermaine Wattimena v Callan Rydz

Richard Veenstra v Krzysztof Ratajski

Wessel Nijman v Martin Kramer

Kim Huybrechts v Ian White