Luke Littler lights up the European Darts Championship with blistering win over Nathan Aspinall

Luke Littler registered the second highest average in European Championship history to continue his title charge in Dortmund, while Gian van Veen saw his title defence ended on Saturday.

Having produced the stand-out performance of the opening round on Friday, Littler maintained his blistering form at the Westfalenhalle, averaging 114.47 in a blistering 10-5 victory over Nathan Aspinall.

The world number one raced out of the blocks with an astonishing four-leg burst, recording winning legs of 12, 11, 12 and 11 darts to lead 4-0 with an average in excess of 130.

Aspinall – who crashed in ten 180s in defeat – fought back brilliantly to reduce the deficit to 5-4, but a relentless Littler regained control midway through the contest en route to sealing a place in Sunday’s quarter-finals.

“I felt really good from the off tonight,” admitted Littler, who threatened Phil Taylor’s tournament record average of 118.14.

“Nathan is always there. He’s always going to come back at you, so I couldn’t afford a drop off.

“I looked up a few times and I think I was on a 121 average and 117 at some point, so I said to myself: ‘just keep going’.

“I’ve had a long time off and past results haven’t gone my way, but hopefully if I do lift the trophy, I can say I’ve not gone anywhere!”

The European Championship is the only major title missing from Littler’s collection, and the 19-year-old will now take on Krzysztof Ratajski in the Last Eight.

Ratajski fought back from 4-0 and 8-6 down to dump out Kevin Doets, firing in seven 180s and averaging 97 in the process.

Luke Woodhouse continued his terrific weekend in Dortmund, following up Thursday’s nine-dart heroics with a commanding 10-6 success against defending champion Van Veen.

Van Veen’s exit ensures Ross Smith is the only former champion left in the tournament, and Woodhouse will now take on the 2022 champion in another tasty quarter-final.

“Being in the quarter-finals is huge,” admitted Woodhouse, who landed checkouts of 114, 117 and 129.

“When someone of Gian’s quality is not at it, you’ve got to pounce on them and make sure you don’t let them back into the game.

“I was very steady and I took my chances, but I have another big game tomorrow.”

Top seed Smith fended off Damon Heta’s valiant fightback to continue his bid for a second European Championship title, running out a 10-7 winner earlier in the afternoon.

Smith was imperious in the opening exchanges, averaging 112 to storm into a five-leg lead, before defying some late double trouble to maintain his charge for a second televised title of 2026.

Meanwhile, German number one Martin Schindler delighted a partisan home crowd to trash a wasteful Jermaine Wattimena 10-4 and set up a quarter-final showdown against Jonny Clayton.

Schindler, roared on by over 7,000 fans at the Westfalenhalle, pinned 53 per cent of his attempts at double to complete a comprehensive win at the expense of 2024 runner-up Wattimena – who was punished for a poor display of finishing.

“I definitely enjoyed that,” revealed Schindler, through to his third televised ranking quarter-final.

“I’m always trying to take the energy they [the fans] are giving me, and it’s always a nice situation to play in front of your home crowd, but you still need to play solid darts.

“This year has been very strange for me. I’ve been playing not badly but still losing, but right here, right now I’m in the last eight for the first time, and I feel like I’m playing better.”

Clayton, meanwhile, pinned his trademark 121 checkout on the bullseye to wrap up a 10-8 victory over Josh Rock – who was threatening to pull off a dramatic fightback from 9-6 behind.

Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting will also go head-to-head tomorrow afternoon, after producing dazzling doubling displays to dispatch Cameron Menzies and Kim Huybrechts respectively.

Price registered a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts during his 10-4 rout of Menzies, winning seven of the last eight legs to confirm his progress in emphatic style.

Bunting was equally proficient on the outer ring, converting 100, 108, 116 and 121 finishes to advance to his first European Championship quarter-final since 2014.

European Darts Championship 2026 Day Three Results

Saturday October 24

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Gerwyn Price 10-4 Cameron Menzies
Stephen Bunting 10-3 Kim Huybrechts
Ross Smith 10-7 Damon Heta
Gian van Veen 6-10 Luke Woodhouse

Evening Session
Krzysztof Ratajski 10-8 Kevin Doets
Martin Schindler 10-4 Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Littler 10-5 Nathan Aspinall
Jonny Clayton 10-8 Josh Rock