Cross denies history making Beau Greaves in dramatic Budapest encounter

Rob Cross overcame Beau Greaves in an incredible opening round tie at the Hungarian Darts Trophy, as reigning champion Niko Springer enjoyed a winning return in Budapest.

The 2026 European Tour season resumed with a bumper day of action at the MVM Dome, as Cross denied Greaves a dream debut in the Hungarian capital.

The three-time Women’s World Matchplay champion — the first woman to compete in a European Tour event — averaged 104.88 and posted five 180s in a superb all-round display, only to succumb in a dramatic decider.

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“Beau is brilliant. She is going places,” insisted Cross, who averaged 101.90 and produced a sensational 170 checkout en route to setting up a clash against Luke Woodhouse.

“She has been phenomenal on the ProTour, and I think when she learns her trade on the big stage, she’s going to do more.

“I feel really happy with my set-up at the minute. I think I can do great things, but it’s down to me to prove it.”

Springer also impressed on Friday’s opening day, dispatching Maik Kuivenhoven 6-1 to kickstart his challenge for back-to-back titles in Budapest

.“I have so many good memories coming back here,” revealed Springer, who will face Ryan Searle for a place in the last 16.

“I had a big smile because I was so happy to be here again, and I cannot wait to play tomorrow!”

Former Hungarian Darts Trophy champions Joe Cullen and Dave Chisnall also tasted opening round success, recording 6-3 victories against Adam Leek and Andras Borbely respectively.Cullen averaged almost 98 and pinned 60% of his attempts at double to triumph, while Chisnall converted 101, 120 and 136 checkouts to book a showdown with Wessel Nijman.

Elsewhere, Krzysztof Ratajski began his bid for back-to-back European Tour titles with a 6-5 victory against Callan Rydz, surviving two match darts to progress to a meeting with Scottish icon Gary Anderson.

There was also delight for two Host Nation qualifiers at the MVM Dome, as Laszlo Kadar and Nandor Major celebrated deciding-leg victories on home soil.Kadar performed brilliantly on his European Tour debut, averaging over 93 to claim the scalp of Daryl Gurney and move through to a tie against fourth seed Jonny Clayton on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, Major will go head-to-head with Dutch number one Gian van Veen in round two, after conjuring a terrific 124 checkout on the bull to stun Niels Zonneveld in a decider.

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Kevin Doets was another high-profile casualty on Day One, squandering 31 darts at double during his shock 6-4 defeat against Finland’s Jonas Masalin, while Keane Barry averaged almost 101 in dumping out German number one Martin Schindler.

Tom Sykes also averaged 101 in his 6-1 demolition of Cameron Menzies, as World Matchplay semi-finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode eased past Czechia’s David Pisek by the same scoreline.

Van Duijvenbode will take on top seed Luke Humphries in a mouth-watering tussle on Saturday evening, while James Hurrell will face Michael van Gerwen after winning through a compelling affair against Damon Heta to register his first victory on the European Tour stage.

Former European Champion Ritchie Edhouse will take on last year’s runner-up Danny Noppert in another eye-catching contest, having rattled off six straight legs in his 6-1 thumping of Connor Scutt.

Elsewhere, Andrew Gilding whitewashed newcomer Milan Biro to race through to round two, before Ryan Joyce and William O’Connor completed Saturday’s line-up with wins over Cristo Reyes and Samuel Price.

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The 2026 Hungarian Darts Trophy continues with another double session on Saturday, as world number two Humphries kicks off his campaign alongside Dutch trio Van Veen, Van Gerwen and Nijman.

2026 Hungarian Darts Trophy

Friday August 28

Round One

Afternoon Session

Jonas Masalin 6-4 Kevin Doets

Andrew Gilding 6-0 Milan Biro

Ritchie Edhouse 6-1 Connor Scutt

Niko Springer 6-1 Maik Kuivenhoven

William O’Connor 6-2 Samuel Price

Keane Barry 6-2 Martin Schindler

Ryan Joyce 6-3 Cristo Reyes

Dave Chisnall 6-3 Andras Borbely

Evening Session

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-1 David Pisek

Laszlo Kadar 6-5 Daryl Gurney

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Callan Rydz

Joe Cullen 6-3 Adam Leek

Rob Cross 6-5 Beau Greaves

Nandor Major 6-5 Niels Zonneveld

Tom Sykes 6-1 Cameron Menzies

James Hurrell 6-5 Damon Heta

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