Niko Springer’s bid to claim back-to-back European Tour titles came to an abrupt halt on Friday, as Richard Veenstra edged the German star in a dramatic deciding leg on the opening day of the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel. Fresh from lifting last weekend’s Hungarian Darts Trophy, Springer looked poised to continue his momentum but was denied after Veenstra produced clutch finishing at key moments.
Springer struck early with an 11-darter but soon trailed 4-1 before rallying with clinical checkouts of 120, 94 and 86 to level the contest. The German edged ahead in leg nine, only for Veenstra to respond superbly, taking out 156 to force a decider and 76 to seal a 6-5 victory. The Dutchman now advances to face Rob Cross in round two on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Nathan Aspinall powered into the last 32 with a dominant whitewash of Andreas Toft Jorgensen, setting up a clash with Jonny Clayton. Krzysztof Ratajski boosted his World Grand Prix qualification hopes by thrashing Owen Bates 6-0, while Raymond van Barneveld also stayed in contention with a composed win over Swiss qualifier Ansh Sood.
William O’Connor impressed with a 102 average in a 6-1 victory against Daryl Gurney, and reigning European Champion Ritchie Edhouse survived a deciding-leg battle with Wessel Nijman. Dirk van Duijvenbode, Callan Rydz and Luke Woodhouse were among the other notable first-round winners, as several home hopes were ended.
Saturday’s double session at St Jakobshalle sees the 16 seeded players enter the tournament, with round two action paving the way toward Sunday’s decisive stages of the Swiss Darts Trophy.
Source: PDC.TV
