Recap & reaction from Saturday's second round action at the Swiss Darts Trophy, as Luke Humphries & Luke Littler set up a last 16 showdown in Basel! 🍿 📝 bit.ly/ET12D2
Schedule Sunday afternoon at Swiss Darts Trophy 2024 headlined by Humphries v Littler
PDCSunday, 29 September 2024 at 06:00
The sixteen remaining players will battle on Sunday for the title at the Swiss Darts Trophy 2024 at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel. Among others, four Dutchmen are still competing for the title at this Euro Tour tournament. Sunday afternoon starts a jam-packed final day with the eighth finals, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place in the evening.
This is the first time the PDC has hosted a tournament in Switzerland. Earlier this year, Euro Tour tournaments were played in Belgium, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Hungary. Later this year, another event will be completed in the Czech Republic.
We start Sunday afternoon an hour earlier than usual, as the afternoon session starts as early as 12:00. The afternoon session is kicked off by Josh Rock and Rob Cross, who also met last week at the Hungarian Darts Trophy. Then Rock won 6-4. 'Rocky' won Saturday's second-round match against Jermaine Wattimena, while Cross was too strong for Andrew Gilding.
The top event of the afternoon session is the repeat of the World Championship final; as Swiss fans get to see a cracker between Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. It is already the twelfth time the English have faced off in 2024. Of course, Humphries won the first and most important showdown, the one in the World Cup final in January. After that, Littler has already had his fill, as in the head-to-head Littler now leads 8-3.
Next, Stephen Bunting and Martin Schindler battle for a spot in the quarterfinals before Raymond van Barneveld and Ross Smith take the stage in Basel. To reach the quarterfinals of a Euro Tour tournament for the first time this season, Van Barneveld needs to reach a milestone. After all, the 57-year-old Hague native has never won against Ross Smith in his career. 'Smudger' won the previous three confrontations, including their clash last week at the Hungarian Darts Trophy. In Budapest it was 6-2 for Smith.
The second block of the afternoon session features the other side of the bracket. The fifth match of the afternoon is between Cameron Menzies and Callan Rydz, both of whom have some extra to play for. Rydz still has a minimal chance to qualify for the World Grand Prix, but will have to win this tournament. Menzies is currently one spot outside the virtual field of participants for the European Championship. So a win over Rydz would suit "Cammy" particularly well.
What goes for Menzies and Rydz, certainly also goes for Wessel Nijman. The Dutchman will face James Wade, who has already eliminated Dimitri van den Bergh and Gerwyn Price this tournament. Nijman also has a slim chance of qualifying for the World Grand Prix, but, like Rydz, will need a title in Basel. Nijman can also attempt to force qualification for the European Championship. With Nijman missing next month's Czech Darts Open, he will have to scrape up his last few pounds here. A semifinal place at this tournament could be just enough for Nijman to qualify for the European Championship in October.
The penultimate match of the afternoon sees Madars Razma and Ryan Searle. Razma won over Alex Fehlmann and Damon Heta earlier this tournament, while Searle eliminated Swiss qualifier Roger Hertig. Dessert of this afternoon session will come courtesy of Nathan Aspinall and Daryl Gurney. Aspinall could also use a win with an eye on competing in the European Championship. The Asp currently occupies the last qualifying spot for this tournament, while Menzies and Nijman are breathing down his neck.
TV and live stream
The Swiss Darts Trophy will be broadcast on PDC TV. As usual with Euro Tour tournaments, the Swiss Darts Trophy consists of three tournament days. The afternoon sessions start on Friday and Saturday at 12:00, while the evening sessions then start at 18:00. On Sunday, the sessions start at 11:00 and 17:00.
The first round will take place on Friday. The 16 Order of Merit qualifiers and the winners from the various qualifying tournaments then make their appearance. The top-16 seeded players enter the tournament on Saturday in the second round. Sunday will see the denouement of the tournament, starting with the third round in the afternoon session. Sunday evening will be followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
Distribution of prize money
At this Euro Tour tournament, a total of £175,000 in prize money will be divided among the 48 participants. They will receive at least 1250 pounds in starting money. The top-16 seeded players who enter the Swiss Darts Trophy from the second round will receive 2,500 pounds anyway.
They do - like the 16 Order of Merit qualifiers starting in the first round - have to win their first match in order for the prize money to count toward the world rankings and the other rankings. The winner of the Swiss Darts Trophy ultimately goes home with the top prize of 30,000 pounds.
Format
First round: Best of 11 legs
Second round: Best of 11 legs
Third round: Best of 11 legs
Quarterfinals: Best of 11 legs
Semifinals: Best of 13 legs
Final: Best of 15 legs
Schedule Swiss Darts Trophy 2024
Sunday, Sept. 29
Afternoon session (from 11am)
Third round
Josh Rock v Rob Cross
Luke Humphries v Luke Littler
Stephen Bunting v Martin Schindler
Ross Smith v Raymond van Barneveld
Cameron Menzies v Callan Rydz
James Wade v Wessel Nijman
Madars Razma v Ryan Searle
Nathan Aspinall v Daryl Gurney
Evening session (from 6 p.m.)
Quarterfinal
Semifinals
Final
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