Nine-dart Dirk van Duijvenbode storms into German Darts Championship second round

Dirk van Duijvenbode produced a sensational nine-dart finish in the opening round of the German Darts Championship in Hildesheim on Friday.

Van Duijvenbode landed the nine-darter en route to a 6-4 win over Karel Sedlacek at Halle 39, marking his first perfect leg on a big stage.

The Dutchman kicked off the fourth leg with successive 180s, before hitting treble 17, treble 18 and double 18 to send the crowd wild.

He then followed up a 116 checkout with a match-winning 135 on the bull to see off the Czech number one with a 101 average.

“This is a big dream coming true,” said Van Duijvenbode.

“I have hit three nine-darters this year, but I’ve always wanted to hit one on a stage, because those really count.

“It’s such a relief to hit my first nine-darter on the big stage, so I am very happy of course!”

The race for European Championship qualification also dominated the narrative on Day One in Hildesheim, with this weekend’s event marking the cut-off for next week’s showpiece in Dortmund.

Krzysztof Ratajski boosted his hopes of qualification with a 6-1 rout of German debutant Felix Springer – the younger brother of recent European Tour winner Niko.

Ratajski came into the weekend occupying the final provisional spot in the field, and a clinical doubling display saw him overhaul Andrew Gilding on the European Tour Order of Merit.

Gilding faces a nervous wait to discover if he has done enough to book his spot in Dortmund, after going down 6-4 to William O’Connor – who remains in the hunt for a European Championship spot.

O’Connor’s reward is a second round tie against German number one Martin Schindler, with the Irishman needing to reach at least the semi-finals this weekend in order to preserve his qualification hopes.

Rob Cross is also yet to confirm his qualification, and the two-time European Champion faces Cameron Menzies on Saturday, after the Scot overcame Wesley Plaisier 6-4 in his opener.

However, Joe Cullen will miss out on the European Championship for the first time in a decade following a 6-2 defeat to Ricky Evans.

German number two Ricardo Pietreczko will face reigning champion Peter Wright in a repeat of the 2023 final on Saturday afternoon, after overcoming Radek Szaganski in a hard-fought encounter.

However, 2019 winner Daryl Gurney suffered a disappointing 6-2 defeat to Christian Kist – who reeled off six consecutive legs to book a showdown with sixth seed Gerwyn Price on Saturday night.

Jermaine Wattimena maintained his terrific run of form by averaging almost 105.6 to prevail by the same 6-2 scoreline against Keane Barry.

Wattimena, fresh from clinching his second Players Championship title on Tuesday, will take on second seed James Wade in Round Two, having taken out 101, 116 and 121 finishes in a clinical display.

Nathan Aspinall also produced an exhibition of finishing in his 6-3 success against debutant Maximilian Czerwinski, converting 84, 85, 90, 99, 116 and 160 checkouts to triumph with a 103 average and extend his lead at the top of the European Tour Order of Merit.

Ryan Joyce was another stand-out performer on Day One, averaging 104.2 in his 6-2 victory over Justin Hood.

Dutch duo Wessel Nijman and Niels Zonneveld also eased through to Saturday’s action with commanding 6-2 wins over Martin Kramer and Darius Labanauskas respectively.

Raymond van Barneveld joined his fellow countrymen in Round Two, battling past Host Nation representative Kevin Troppmann 6-3 to set up a meeting with third seed Jonny Clayton.

There was relief for Gabriel Clemens and Steve Lennon, who registered their first European Tour wins of the season following 6-2 successes against Tomislav Rosandic and Jeffrey de Graaf respectively.

Dave Chisnall – currently battling to qualify for the European Championship – awaits Clemens, with Australian number one Heta representing the next obstacle in Lennon’s path.

Meanwhile, Luke Woodhouse followed up a pivotal 110 checkout with a 13-darter to seal a 6-4 victory and halt the resistance of Tom Bissell.

German Darts Championship 2025 Day One Results

Friday October 17

First Round

Afternoon Session
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Wesley Plaisier
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Darius Labanauskas
Jeffrey de Graaf 2-6 Steve Lennon
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Martin Kramer
Ryan Joyce 6-2 Justin Hood
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Tom Bissell
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-1 Felix Springer
Andrew Gilding 4-6 William O’Connor

Evening Session
Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Keane Barry
Daryl Gurney 2-6 Christian Kist
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-3 Radek Szaganski
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Karel Sedlacek – *Van Duijvenbode hits a nine-darter*
Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 Kevin Troppmann
Ricky Evans 6-2 Joe Cullen
Gabriel Clemens 6-2 Tomislav Rosandic
Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Maximilian Czerwinski