Slovak Darts Open 2026 Roundup | Wessel Nijman crowned first-ever champion in Bratislava after 103 average sinks Rob Cross in final

Wessel Nijman became the first-ever Slovak Darts Open champion after beating Rob Cross 8-3 in a high-quality final in Bratislava, sealing the title with a spectacular double-double 74 finish.

The Dutchman averaged 103.80 to Cross’ 102.57 as he claimed the second European Tour title of his career. Cross had taken an early 2-1 lead, but Nijman broke straight back, surged clear through the middle of the final and won seven of the last eight legs to crown a brilliant night in Slovakia.

Cross reached the final with two convincing wins on Sunday night, first averaging 102.75 in a 6-2 quarter-final victory over Nathan Aspinall. The fourth seed then ended Tom Sykes’ dream European Tour debut weekend in the semi-finals, beating the Englishman 7-2 after Sykes had earlier defeated Jermaine Wattimena.

Nijman’s route was more dramatic. The Dutchman averaged 104.50 in a high-quality 6-3 quarter-final win over Mike De Decker, hitting a 170 checkout on his way through. He then survived a Ross Smith fightback in the semi-finals, winning 7-6 after Smith had recovered from 5-2 down, before Nijman sealed his place in the final with a stunning 161 checkout on the bullseye.

Nijman started the final in sharp finishing form, taking out 104 in the opening leg to hold throw and make the first move of the match.

Cross responded with a 66 checkout on double 18, then struck first against the darts. A clinical two-dart 74 finish on double 10 gave the former world champion a 2-1 lead and early control of the final.

That advantage vanished quickly. Cross missed the bull for a 3-1 lead, and Nijman punished with a 68 finish on double 16 to break straight back. The Dutchman then regained the break advantage with a 116 checkout to move 3-2 ahead.

Cross was left chasing from there. He missed just inside double 18 for a 116 finish of his own in the sixth leg, and Nijman stepped in again to move two clear at 4-2. A 180 then gave Nijman control of the seventh leg, and although he missed double 14 for a 148 finish before squandering further darts at the same target, Cross could not punish him. Nijman returned to finally pin double 14 and stretch his lead to 5-2.

Cross stopped the run with a 13-dart hold on double 16, cutting the gap to 5-3 despite still waiting for his first 180 of the final. Nijman missed three darts at double 16 in the next leg, but Cross again could not make him pay, allowing the Dutchman to restore a three-leg cushion.

From 6-3, the final moved quickly towards Nijman. He broke Cross again to go within one leg of the title, then finished the job in style. Needing 74, Nijman went double 19, double 18 to seal an 8-3 victory, become the first Slovak Darts Open champion and add a second European Tour title to his name.