Nathan Aspinall and Gian van Veen produced stellar displays to reach the last 16 at the 2026 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy on Saturday. Day Two of the 13th European Tour event of 2026 continued at the Antwerp Expo, with Aspinall producing the performance of the day during his 6-1 thrashing of Niko Springer. The German […]
Nathan Aspinall and Gian van Veen produced stellar displays to reach the last 16 at the 2026 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy on Saturday.
Day Two of the 13th European Tour event of 2026 continued at the Antwerp Expo, with Aspinall producing the performance of the day during his 6-1 thrashing of Niko Springer.
The German Darts Grand Prix champion produced a sparkling 106 average in demolishing the German, hitting four maximums and missing just one dart at double in a fantastic display.
“It was a great performance,” said Aspinall, who will take on Stephen Bunting in a titanic clash on Finals Day.
“I saw a stat that said I’ve been playing the fourth best for a couple of months, so tonight I tried to not put pressure on myself and enjoy it and I put in a great performance.
“I finished really well, scored really well, gave the crowd something to cheer about and happy days – onto tomorrow!”
Stephen Bunting awaits Aspinall, as the former Masters champion pipped Brendan Dolan in a last-leg decider and defied a 101 average from his opponent to bolster his European Championship hopes.
Van Veen also starred in his 6-3 triumph over Gabriel Clemens, setting up an all-Dutch clash with Kevin Doets on Sunday afternoon.
The Dutch number one produced an average in excess of 101 and struck 60% of his attempts at double, including combination finishes of 143, 82 and 64 to reach his fourth consecutive European Tour Finals Day.
“It was a close game, but this one gives me so much confidence,” assessed Van Veen, who defied an average of 98.81 from the German.
“I know I can produce the same numbers as I have done the last year. I hope to do that this year and I feel it’s coming.
“I’ve known Kevin from probably when I was 10 or 11 years old. It’s going to be a great game, Kevin is a great player and in very good form this year.”
Doets reached Finals Day after a hard-fought 6-5 win over Krzysztof Ratajaki, where the Dutchman was made to survive a match dart from the Polish number one.
Gerwyn Price also secured his spot in the last 16 with a fine performance, averaging over 103 to dispatch Bradley Brooks.
Price will face Ross Smith in a tantalising contest in prospect, with the former European Champion averaging north of a ton in his 6-3 victory over Swedish number one Jeffrey de Graaf.
Damon Heta dumped out an off-colour Michael van Gerwen 6-5 after all 11 legs went on throw, and the Australian number one faces a last 16 tie against Luke Woodhouse, who saw off William O’Connor 6-3 with a clinical display.
Rob Cross ended Martin Schindler’s hopes of World Grand Prix qualification with a 6-4 victory, as the former World Champion will take on James Wade after the three-time UK Open winner defeated Canada’s Jim Long 6-2.
Jermaine Wattimena denied Karel Sedlacek a World Grand Prix debut with a 6-3 win, while the Dutchman is rewarded with a last 16 clash against Ryan Joyce who stunned Josh Rock with a typically clinical performance.
Ryan Searle ended home hopes by reeling off six straight legs to down Andy Baetens 6-2, setting up a last 16 showdown with Chris Dobey, who breezed past a profligate Niels Zonneveld.
Wessel Nijman will go head-to-head with Danny Noppert on Sunday, as the Dutch duo defeated Sebastian Bialecki and Chris Landman respectively.
The 2026 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy reaches its climax in Antwerp on Sunday, as the remaining 16 players battle it out for the £35,000 top prize.
Live coverage is being streamed on VTM for viewers in Belgium, as well as DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with additional coverage available on CANAL+ SPORT 5 and via the CANAL+ streaming service in Poland.
Coverage is also being broadcast on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers’ websites worldwide.
Click here for match stats & results.
2026 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy
Saturday September 12
Round Two
Afternoon Session
Kevin Doets 6-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Karel Sedlacek
Rob Cross 6-4 Martin Schindler
Danny Noppert 6-2 Chris Landman
Ryan Searle 6-2 Andy Baetens
Chris Dobey 6-1 Niels Zonneveld
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 William O’Connor
Ross Smith 6-2 Jeffrey de Graaf
Evening Session
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Josh Rock
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Bradley Brooks
James Wade 6-2 Jim Long
Gian van Veen 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
Damon Heta 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Niko Springer
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Brendan Dolan
Wessel Nijman 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki
Sunday September 13
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Round Three
Gian van Veen v Kevin Doets
Ryan Searle v Chris Dobey
Ryan Joyce v Jermaine Wattimena
Gerwyn Price v Ross Smith
James Wade v Rob Cross
Danny Noppert v Wessel Nijman
Damon Heta v Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting v Nathan Aspinall
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final