Andreas Harrysson hammers Michael Smith at the European Darts Open as eight seeds crash out
Andreas Harrysson stormed to a 6-1 rout of Michael Smith in Round Two of the European Darts Open in Leverkusen on Saturday.
Harrysson followed up his opening round victory over Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld by thrashing another World Champion in Smith, averaging exactly 106 with the aid of two ton-plus finishes.
The Swedish veteran fired in a brace of 11-darters and converted 126 and 101 checkouts in successive legs as he progressed to the Last 16 of a European Tour event for the first time.
“What just happened?” said a shell-shocked Harrysson, who will also feature in next weekend’s Nordic Masters.
“I’m so pleased with that performance. It’s a dream to play like that on the big stage in front of this fantastic crowd.”
Smith was one of eight seeded players to crash out in their opening match at the Ostermann-Arena, including defending champion Dave Chisnall.
Chisnall was denied in a deciding leg by Cameron Menzies – who battled back from 4-2 down to prevail with four 180s and six from nine on the doubles.
Ricardo Pietreczko overcame his World Cup partner Martin Schindler 6-4 in a battle between Germany’s top two players, which moves him further clear in the race for World Matchplay qualification.
Meanwhile, Stephen Bunting averaged 100.8 and reeled off three straight legs in 13, 11 and 14 darts to record his 11th straight victory over Luke Woodhouse.
Daryl Gurney produced one of his best performances on the European Tour to overcome World Youth Champion Gian van Veen, averaging 107.2 and converting all six of his attempts at doubles.
Last week’s Dutch Darts Championship winner Jonny Clayton began his bid for back-to-back European Tour titles with a 6-4 victory against Jermaine Wattimena, as the pair crashed in seven 180s apiece in a high quality contest.
Clayton’s reward is a Last 16 tie with Mike De Decker on Sunday, after the World Grand Prix champion averaged 101 to defeat Ryan Joyce.
Peter Wright kicked off his quest for a third European Open crown as he recovered from 3-0 and 5-3 down before surviving two match darts to punish Darryl Pilgrim in a deciding leg.
However, Gary Anderson was unable to complete the Scottish clean-sweep in Leverkusen, going down 6-4 to in-form Wessel Nijman.
Fresh from his semi-final defeat in Thursday’s Premier League Play-Offs, Nathan Aspinall enjoyed a winning return to ranked competition, eventually battling his way past Bradley Brooks despite missing 12 match darts.
Damon Heta came agonisingly close to achieving perfection during his 6-2 rout of Mickey Mansell, missing double 12 for a nine-darter in the third leg of the match.
Chris Dobey celebrated his 35th birthday with a deciding-leg victory over home favourite Niko Springer, recovering from 4-1 adrift and surviving multiple match darts in the decider.
Dobey will now face Andrew Gilding in Sunday’s Third Round, after the former UK Open champion also won through a last-leg shoot-out against a struggling Ryan Searle.
James Wade raced through to the Last 16 with a whitewash win over Lukas Wenig, and he will now go head-to-head with Matt Campbell – who eased past a below-par Ross Smith 6-2 in Saturday’s opener.
Meanwhile, reigning European Champion Ritchie Edhouse averaged 102.8 to brush aside tenth seed Danny Noppert 6-2.
European Darts Open 2025 Day Two Results
Saturday May 31
Second Round
Afternoon Session (12pm-4pm)
Ross Smith 2-6 Matt Campbell
Ryan Searle 5-6 Andrew Gilding
Damon Heta 6-2 Mickey Mansell
Danny Noppert 2-6 Ritchie Edhouse
Dave Chisnall 5-6 Cameron Menzies
Gary Anderson 4-6 Wessel Nijman
Mike De Decker 6-3 Ryan Joyce
Gian van Veen 2-6 Daryl Gurney
Evening Session (6pm-10pm)
Chris Dobey 6-5 Niko Springer
James Wade 6-0 Lukas Wenig
Peter Wright 6-5 Darryl Pilgrim
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena
Michael Smith 1-6 Andreas Harrysson
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Bradley Brooks
Martin Schindler 4-6 Ricardo Pietreczko
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Luke Woodhouse
