Niko Springer sends Gary Anderson packing at the European Darts Grand Prix

Niko Springer dumped out defending champion Gary Anderson on Day Two of the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen on Saturday.

The year’s fifth European Tour event continued with the second round at the Glaspalast, as Anderson’s bid for a third consecutive European Darts Grand Prix title was curtailed by home hero Springer.

The German star defied a brace of ton-plus checkouts from Anderson to complete a convincing 6-3 victory and maintain his challenge for a second European Tour title.

Springer will now take on Danny Noppert in a repeat of last year’s Hungarian Darts Trophy final after the Dutchman survived a scare to edge out Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak in a gruelling decider.

“He is a fantastic player [Danny]. We played the last time in Budapest when I won the final,” said Springer.

“I know how good he is, and I know I have to play the same level as today.”

However, the performance of the day was produced by Premier League leader Jonny Clayton – who averaged 106.8 in powering to a 6-1 victory against Latvia’s Valters Melderis.

The Welshman raced out of the blocks with legs of 13, 11 and 11 darts, before threatening a nine-dart finish in the closing stages of the contest.

Wessel Nijman also delivered a statement display in Sindelfingen, averaging 104 in a 6-2 thumping of Ryan Searle to maintain his flawless record against the World Championship semi-finalist.

“Playing Ryan Searle, I probably needed an average above 100, so I’m happy I did and happy with the way I played,” reflected the 25-year-old.

“The goal [this year] was to get into the top 16, and the next goal was to win a Euro Tour. To do that before the summer, that’s my goal achieved for the whole year.”

Nijman will continue his charge for a second European Tour title of 2026 against seventh seed Stephen Bunting, who converted 75 per cent of his attempts at doubles in overcoming Mickey Mansell 6-3.

However, top seed Gian van Veen suffered an early exit at the hands of Joe Cullen, who produced a mid-match burst to advance to the Last 16 of a European Tour event for the first time in 12 months.

James Wade brought an end to his five-match losing run on the European Tour, averaging 104 to account for a resurgent Kim Huybrechts and book a meeting with Nathan Aspinall in Sunday’s Last 16.

Aspinall began his bid for back-to-back European Tour titles with a comprehensive 6-1 win at the expense of Jeffrey de Zwaan, producing a magnificent 170 checkout en route.

Michael van Gerwen also enjoyed serene progress, kicking off his pursuit of a third European Darts Grand Prix title with a resounding 6-2 victory against Michael Unterbuchner.

Gerwyn Price opened his challenge with a 6-4 win over Dave Chisnall, averaging 99.7 and firing in five 180s to set up a meeting with Chris Dobey – who swept aside last year’s runner-up Andrew Gilding.

Meanwhile, Martin Schindler joined his fellow countryman Springer in the Last 16, defying a sluggish start to deny Australian number one Damon Heta 6-5 and create an enticing tussle against Clayton.

Josh Rock and Ross Smith will also go head-to-head on Sunday following 6-3 successes against Keane Barry and Cameron Menzies respectively.

Premier League star Rock landed 158 and 128 checkouts during an eye-catching display, while former European Champion Smith saw past Menzies, crashing in six maximums in the process.

Jermaine Wattimena averaged 99 to prevail in his all-Dutch clash against Kevin Doets, defying five 180s from his compatriot to set up a showdown against another fellow countryman in Van Gerwen.

Krzysztof Ratajski, meanwhile, will face Cullen for a place in the quarter-finals, after punishing a poor doubling display from Belgian number one Mike De Decker in Saturday’s curtain-raiser.

European Darts Grand Prix 2026 Day Two Results

Saturday April 18

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Mike De Decker 4-6 Krzysztof Ratajski
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Kevin Doets
Ryan Searle 2-6 Wessel Nijman
Danny Noppert 6-5 Oskar Lukasiak
Chris Dobey 6-2 Andrew Gilding
Gary Anderson 3-6 Niko Springer
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock 6-3 Keane Barry

Evening Session
Ross Smith 6-3 Cameron Menzies
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Dave Chisnall
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Jeffrey De Zwaan
James Wade 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
Gian van Veen 3-6 Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Michael Unterbuchner
Martin Schindler 6-5 Damon Heta
Jonny Clayton 6-1 Valters Melderis