"Jimmy’s not there, who can beat me then?": Paul Krohne awaits Lakeside return without Van Schie in the way after Dutch Open dream title run

Paul Krohne made history at the 2026 Dutch Open by becoming the first German player to win the Open event, producing a remarkable comeback victory in a tournament that began with 4,096 entrants.

Krohne’s achievement carried extra historical weight. At the end of last year, he found himself reflecting on German darts history while visiting Lakeside, where one moment in particular stood out and now he is Dutch Open champion in one of the toughest schools of darts to win through.

“I’m just over the moon,” Krohne said after lifting the trophy to Darts Actueel. “At the end of last year I was at Lakeside seeing Andree Welge’s picture next to Gary Anderson, and now I’m standing here having gone one step further than he did. It’s just wonderful.”

Welge famously reached the Dutch Open final in 2001, where he was beaten by Raymond van Barneveld, and Krohne’s triumph in the Netherlands saw him surpass that landmark by becoming a Dutch Open champion himself.

The final itself was nothing short of dramatic. Krohne found himself 2–0 down in sets against Dutchman Corné Groeneveld, and then again 2–1 down in legs, staring defeat in the face. Groeneveld had two match darts, but Krohne survived both moments of danger before producing a stunning run, winning eight of the next ten legs to seal a 3–2 victory.

“Yeah, I did,” Krohne admitted when asked about surviving those match darts. “And I didn’t think I would win it, but luckily I did. God knows how. I was lucky he didn’t hit it and that we were playing the set format.”

It was not the first time Krohne had come through the fire during the week. His route to the title was littered with close calls:

Despite the pressure, Krohne was aware of his previous record against Groeneveld, having beaten him before in Belgium. “Yeah, we played twice,” he said. “I think the last time was in Belgium. I think I won 4–2 or something like that, so I never lost to him.”

But he was quick to stress that history counted for little on such a big stage. “Yeah, of course I knew we had only played once and I won that one,” Krohne explained. “But when you’re standing here in the final of such a big tournament, it doesn’t matter. Everything can happen.”

The challenge was made even tougher by the setting, with Krohne taking on a Dutch opponent in front of a partisan home crowd. “Yeah, I did,” he said. “But I get it. If you don’t play against the crowd, I think all of the crowd enjoyed it. It was a great final, and I’m lucky to be standing here as the winner.”

Asked to compare the occasion to Lakeside, Krohne felt the Dutch Open represented an even bigger stage. “Yeah, I think so,” he said. “The first game was nearly the same, but the second was a bit quieter. But I’m just happy to have won it.”

With his Dutch Open triumph secured, Krohne now turns his attention back to Lakeside, full of confidence and belief especially without Jimmy van Schie who he lost to at Lakeside. “Yeah, and I’m really looking forward to that,” he said with a smile. “Let’s see. Jimmy’s not there — who can beat me then?”