Damon Heta dumps out Michael van Gerwen at the Flanders Darts Trophy
Damon Heta dumped Michael van Gerwen out of the 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy with a last-leg triumph in Antwerp on Saturday.
Van Gerwen was one of only four seeded casualties on Day Two at the Antwerp Expo as he slipped to a third Round Two defeat on the European Tour this season.
The Dutchman, who averaged just 85, was punished for a disastrous deciding leg which saw him muster only one treble in 12 darts as Heta held firm to prevail 6-5.
The Australian number one now faces a Last 16 tie against Luke Woodhouse – who saw off William O’Connor 6-3 with a clinical display.
Nathan Aspinall produced the performance of the day as he averaged 106 in a 6-1 thrashing of Niko Springer, with four 180s and six from seven on the doubles.
“It was a great performance,” said Aspinall, who will take on Stephen Bunting in the Last 16.
“I saw a stat that said I’ve been playing the fourth best for a couple of months, so tonight I tried to not put pressure on myself and enjoy it and I put in a great performance.
“I finished really well, scored really well, gave the crowd something to cheer about and happy days – onto tomorrow!”
Former Masters champion Bunting denied Brendan Dolan in a last-leg decider and defied a 101 average from his opponent to bolster his European Championship hopes.
Top seed Gian van Veen also starred in his 6-3 triumph over Gabriel Clemens, setting up an all-Dutch clash with Kevin Doets on Sunday afternoon.
The Dutch number one produced an average of 101 and struck 60 per cent of his attempts at doubles, including checkouts of 143, 82 and 64.
“It was a close game, but this one gives me so much confidence,” said Van Veen, who defied an average of 98.8 from the German.
“I know I can produce the same numbers as I have done the last year. I hope to do that this year and I feel it’s coming.
“I’ve known Kevin from probably when I was 10 or 11 years old. It’s going to be a great game, Kevin is a great player and in very good form this year.”
Doets sealed his spot in the Last 16 with a hard-fought 6-5 win over Krzysztof Ratajaki, where the Dutchman was made to survive a match dart from the Polish number one.
Gerwyn Price also secured his spot in Round Three with a fine performance, averaging 103 to safely dispatch Bradley Brooks 6-3.
Price will face Ross Smith in Sunday’s Last 16, with the former European Champion also averaging above 100 in his 6-3 victory over Swedish number one Jeffrey de Graaf.
Rob Cross ended Martin Schindler’s hopes of World Grand Prix qualification with a 6-4 victory, and the former World Champion will now take on James Wade after the three-time UK Open winner defeated Canada’s Jim Long 6-2.
Jermaine Wattimena denied Karel Sedlacek a World Grand Prix debut with a 6-3 win, while the Dutchman is rewarded with a Last 16 clash against a clinical Ryan Joyce – who gained revenge on Josh Rock for last week’s defeat at the Czech Darts Open.
Ryan Searle ended home hopes by reeling off six straight legs to dispatch Andy Baetens 6-2 and set up a showdown with Chris Dobey – who swept aside a struggling Niels Zonneveld 6-1.
Wessel Nijman landed a spectacular 170 checkout in 6-4 win over Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki, and will now face Danny Noppert after he safely saw off Chris Landman 6-2.
Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 Day Two Results
Saturday September 12
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Krzysztof Ratajski 5-6 Kevin Doets
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Karel Sedlacek
Martin Schindler 4-6 Rob Cross
Danny Noppert 6-2 Chris Landman
Ryan Searle 6-2 Andy Baetens
Chris Dobey 6-1 Niels Zonneveld
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 William O’Connor
Ross Smith 6-2 Jeffrey De Graaf
Evening Session
Josh Rock 3-6 Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Bradley Brooks
James Wade 6-2 Jim Long
Gian van Veen 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Damon Heta
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Niko Springer
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Brendan Dolan
Wessel Nijman 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki
