The short version
- Luke Humphries withdrew from the European Championship in Germany citing gastroenteritis, ending his recent run of strong performances.
- Kim Huybrechts replaced him as the highest-ranked eligible player and won his first match 6-1 against Ryan Searle with high checkout accuracy.
- Luke Woodhouse achieved a televised nine-darter in his opening victory, while other top seeds advanced to the next round.
The field for the European Championship in Germany shifted significantly on Thursday after world number two Luke Humphries withdrew from the tournament. The British player cited gastroenteritis as the reason for his departure, removing one of the event's most formidable contenders just days before he was scheduled to compete. His exit created an immediate vacancy that required a replacement from the available pool of qualified players.
Kim Huybrechts filled the spot, selected because he held the highest ranking among those who had not already secured a place through standard qualification routes. The Belgian player received notice of his inclusion via a phone call in the morning and departed for Dortmund shortly thereafter. He described the journey as a three-hour drive each way, noting that he did not book hotel accommodation since Friday was a rest day. This spontaneous travel arrangement marked a departure from his usual routine, which typically involves arriving at the venue the day before competition begins.
Huybrechts channeled his unexpected opportunity into a commanding performance against Ryan Searle in the first round. He secured a 6-1 victory, demonstrating precision with six maximum scores and maintaining a checkout success rate of 67 percent. The win sets up a second-round matchup against Stephen Bunting, who advanced after a tense contest. Bunting defeated Danny Noppert 6-5, clinching the series with a notable 160 checkout in the deciding leg.
Elsewhere in the opening round, Luke Woodhouse produced a historic moment by throwing a nine-darter during his match against Dirk van Duijvenbode. It was Woodhouse's first nine-dart finish on television, achieved after hitting two maximums in the fourth leg and finishing with a 141 checkout. He won the match 6-3, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure and preventing his opponent from regaining momentum. Woodhouse will face Gian van Veen in the round of 16.
Van Veen, the defending champion of the tournament, advanced by defeating Andrew Gilding 6-4. His path forward now intersects with Woodhouse's, setting up a potential clash between the titleholder and the player who just recorded a perfect leg. The result underscores the competitive depth of the field, where established champions must navigate threats from emerging talents capable of high-level execution under pressure.
Other notable results included Damon Heta's narrow 6-5 victory over James Wade, decided in a final leg. Heta will next play Ross Wilson, who overcame Karel Sedlacek with a 6-4 scoreline despite facing resistance throughout the match. Gerwyn Price also progressed comfortably, beating Rob Cross 6-2 to set up a meeting with Cameron Menzies. Menzies advanced by defeating Niels Zonneveld 6-3.
Humphries' withdrawal comes after a period of strong form that included winning the PDC World Championship title in January 2024. More recently, he captured the World Grand Prix and reached the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy, where he fell to Jonny Clayton. His absence removes a significant obstacle for other contenders, potentially altering the dynamics of the upper brackets. The tournament continues with world number one Luke Littler scheduled to begin his campaign on Friday against William O'Connor.
The rapid substitution process highlighted by Huybrechts' involvement demonstrates the logistical flexibility required in professional darts tournaments. Players must be prepared to compete on short notice, often traveling long distances without prior preparation time. Huybrechts expressed satisfaction with his unstructured approach, suggesting that the lack of pressure contributed to his relaxed mindset and effective performance. The tournament proceeds with a reshaped bracket, keeping several top seeds intact while introducing new matchups driven by last-minute changes.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Humphries withdraws from European Championship
