Michael van Gerwen survives Niko Springer scare at the European Darts Trophy as Wattimena turns on the style
Michael van Gerwen survived a major scare from Niko Springer as he began his bid for a third European Darts Trophy title in Göttingen on Saturday.
Van Gerwen was victorious at the Lokhalle in 2017 and 2018 and will be among 16 players battling it out on Sunday to claim the European Tour title in the final stages of the event’s return.
However, the 37-time European Tour event winner had to battle back from 3-0 and 5-3 down against Springer, before claiming victory by firing in a 14-dart deciding leg.
Van Gerwen now faces World Youth Champion Gian van Veen in Sunday afternoon’s Third Round, but labelled Springer as potentially the best German player on the circuit following a high-quality contest.
“We all know good Niko Springer is and I had to fight really hard,” said Van Gerwen. “I had to battle and that gives me energy – but I think there’s a lot more in the tank. I’m going to make sure I keep my focus.”
Meanwhile, Luke Humphries landed a magnificent 134 checkout of treble 18 and two double tops to end the resistance of Boris Krcmar – who averaged almost 103 in defeat to the world number one.
Krcmar took out 127 and 104 as he pulled back from 3-0 down to level after eight legs, and Humphries admitted: “I thought he played really well and I had to pull out some of my best stuff.
“I’m playing okay but I’m not getting results. It wasn’t my best performance but I love the European Tour – I really feel up for it this weekend, I really want to prove something to myself and go on a decent run.”
The stand-out display on a sensational day of second round action came in the opening tie, as Jermaine Wattimena produced his second-highest career average in a stunning win over Chris Dobey.
Wattimena’s 6-4 triumph saw him produce legs of 14, 15, 15, 14, 13 and 11 darts as he averaged 111 to overcome the Premier League star, who took a 3-1 lead with back-to-back 12 darters early in the contest.
German number one Martin Schindler averaged almost 107 in an outstanding performance to overcome fourth seed Jonny Clayton 6-1 – opening his bid for a third European Tour title in style.
Gerwyn Price and Ryan Searle also produced an outstanding match, as the Welshman prevailed 6-4 and landed checkouts of 167 and 136 amid six doubles from ten attempts.
Searle averaged 105.6 and fired in five 180s in defeat, with Price posting a 103.7 average as he powered into the Last 16.
World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker defied a late rally from Peter Wright to close out a 6-4 win over the two-time World Champion in a high-quality contest which saw both players averaged above 105.
Dave Chisnall powered through to a meeting with Ross Smith with a 6-1 rout of Ricky Evans, converting six doubles from nine attempts in a clinical display.
Smith followed up Friday’s stand-out first round display with another high-quality showing, averaging over 99 as he saw off UK Open finalist James Wade 6-2.
Rob Cross reeled off four straight legs on his way to victory over Andrew Gilding, while Michael Smith pulled clear from two-all to defeat Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 in a confidence-boosting display which sets up a tie against Humphries.
Wessel Nijman edged out fellow Dutchman Danny Noppert in a deciding leg, winning his first five legs on double eight before pinning double ten for victory.
Cameron Menzies punished Damon Heta for failing to close out victory in their tie, with the Scot claiming the final three legs to edge into the last 16, where he meets De Decker.
Van Veen landed a brace of 121 checkouts and averaged over 100 to take victory in a battle of the reigning and former World Youth Champions against Josh Rock.
Dimitri Van den Bergh was another seeded star to exit on Saturday afternoon, with the Belgian seeing Ryan Joyce power in a 167 checkout on his way to a 6-4 success.
Two-time World Champion Gary Anderson punished Luke Woodhouse for 15 missed doubles as the Scot hit back from 3-0 down to move into the final day with a 6-4 victory.
Nathan Aspinall set up a clash with Wattimena as he overcame Ritchie Edhouse in a deciding leg, despite the European Champion landing checkouts of 170 and 130 in a late rally from 5-2 down which took the tie all the way.
European Darts Trophy 2025 Day Two Results
Saturday March 22
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Wessel Nijman 6-5 Danny Noppert
Ross Smith 6-2 James Wade
Rob Cross 6-4 Andrew Gilding
Cameron Menzies 6-5 Damon Heta
Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 Chris Dobey
Michael Smith 6-2 Ricardo Pietreczko
Gian van Veen 6-4 Josh Rock
Ryan Joyce 6-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Evening Session
Gary Anderson 6-4 Luke Woodhouse
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Ryan Searle
Dave Chisnall 6-1 Ricky Evans
Peter Wright 4-6 Mike De Decker
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Niko Springer
Luke Humphries 6-4 Boris Krcmar
Jonny Clayton 1-6 Martin Schindler
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse
