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Gary Anderson began his defence of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix title in style with a thrilling victory over Gian van Veen during an enthralling day of second round action in Sindelfingen.
Anderson had taken glory at the Glaspalast in 2024, and returned to action on the Winamax European Tour with a 110.16 average – aided by nine 180s – to see off World Youth Champion Van Veen in a deciding leg.
The Dutch ace opened their second round tie with a 142 finish, and he also took out 120 and 88 to move 5-3 up – only for Anderson to sweep to victory with legs of 14, 11 and 14 darts.
Anderson will now play another former World Champion, Rob Cross, in Sunday afternoon’s third round, after the Englishman punished 14 missed doubles from Mike De Decker to prevail 6-3 in their clash.
World number one Luke Humphries raced past Connor Scutt for the loss of just one leg, as he began his challenge to claim a first European Tour win of the year.
He now takes on six-time European Tour event winner Michael Smith in the last 16, after the St Helens ace came from 3-0 and 5-2 down to edge out Daniel Klose.
Home hopes in Sindelfingen will rest on the shoulders of Martin Schindler on Sunday, after the Austrian Darts Open winner began his bid for back-to-back titles with a 6-4 comeback victory against Josh Rock.
Rock led 3-1 and 4-2, but a sublime ten-darter from Schindler levelled during a run of four straight legs which propelled him into a third round date with Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Van Duijvenbode had earlier claimed his first big-stage win over Michael van Gerwen, pulling clear of the three-time World Champion with a trio of 14-darters before wrapping up a 6-3 triumph with a 101 average.
James Wade finished six doubles from ten attempts as he saw off Joe Cullen 6-4, and he progresses to meet Niels Zonneveld following the Dutch left-hander’s impressive 6-2 win over Nathan Aspinall.
Chris Dobey was another BetMGM Premier League star to exit in round two as he went down 6-4 to Luke Woodhouse, who now takes on Ross Smith.
Smith – the runner-up in the Austrian Darts Open last week – finished six doubles from nine attempts as he pulled clear from three-all to defeat Dave Chisnall.
Danny Noppert came from 2-0 and 5-3 down to snatch a narrow 6-5 win over compatriot Wessel Nijman, and he now meets Andrew Gilding in a clash of former UK Open champions, after the Englishman defied checkouts of 160 and 135 from Jonny Clayton to prevail in a deciding leg.
Raymond van Barneveld booked his spot in the final day for the second time in 2025 by edging out Gerwyn Price in a decider.
Van Barneveld will open Sunday’s third round action against Martin Lukeman, after the Grand Slam of Darts finalist reeled off five straight legs to wrap up a 6-2 win over Damon Heta.
Peter Wright began his bid to win a tenth European Tour title with an impressive 6-4 win over Leon Weber, averaging 105 and hitting half of his 12 attempts at a double.
Wright now faces an all-Scottish third round tie with Cameron Menzies, who defied a ton-plus average from Stephen Bunting to claim a 6-2 win over the International Darts Open winner by hitting an impressive six doubles from seven attempts.
The tournament concludes on Sunday, with the third round taking place in the afternoon session ahead of the evening’s decisive quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
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Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix
Saturday May 3
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Danny Noppert 6-5 Wessel Nijman
Martin Lukeman 6-2 Damon Heta
Michael Smith 6-5 Daniel Klose
Gary Anderson 6-5 Gian van Veen
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Chris Dobey
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Rob Cross 6-3 Mike De Decker
Ross Smith 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Evening Session
James Wade 6-4 Joe Cullen
Andrew Gilding 6-5 Jonny Clayton
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright 6-4 Leon Weber
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries 6-1 Connor Scutt
Martin Schindler 6-4 Josh Rock
Cameron Menzies 6-2 Stephen Bunting
Sunday May 4
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Third Round
Martin Lukeman v Raymond van Barneveld
Rob Cross v Gary Anderson
Niels Zonneveld v James Wade
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Martin Schindler
Cameron Menzies v Peter Wright
Andrew Gilding v Danny Noppert
Luke Woodhouse v Ross Smith
Luke Humphries v Michael Smith
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
Sunday’s games played in Draw Bracket order
English (US)