The European Tour resumes this weekend at the Antwerp Xpo with the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy, and the draw has served up a number of intriguing ties from the second round onwards. With Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price among the seeded names entering, the Belgian crowd will be treated to a strong line-up across the three days.
The top seed Luke Littler begins his campaign against either Dylan Slevin or a host nation qualifier. Littler has already collected multiple European Tour titles this year and will once again start as one of the favourites. Slevin is a player capable of scoring heavily in patches, but the teenager’s main challenge is likely to come later in the weekend if he advances.
Second seed Michael van Gerwen faces a testing opener against either Gian van Veen or Adam Gawlas. Van Veen, in particular, has been pushing towards the top tier of the sport and could provide a stern examination of Van Gerwen in front of what is always a lively Antwerp crowd..
Former world champion Gerwyn Price also has a tough section of the draw, meeting either Ryan Joyce or Ricardo Pietreczko. Joyce’s consistency on the floor and Pietreczko’s quick scoring game both have the potential to cause problems for the Welshman if he is not at full sharpness.
One of the standout ties comes with Jonny Clayton seeded to face Michael Smith. Should Smith come through his first-round tie against a Belgian qualifier, it would set up a high-profile clash between two proven major winners, both looking to add another European Tour title to their CVs. Given recent form however, Clayton is likely to start as the heavy favourite.
Elsewhere, Danny Noppert could meet Dirk van Duijvenbode in an all-Dutch battle if Van Duijvenbode overcomes Jeffrey de Graaf. Similarly, Rob Cross awaits the winner of Andrew Gilding v Mensur Suljovic, a section of the draw that brings together three former major champions.
Home hopes rest with Mike De Decker, who could face number 15 seed Martin Schindler if he comes through his opener, while Josh Rock, seeded 14, begins against either Wessel Nijman or Karel Sedlacek.
Other ties to watch include Ross Smith vs Daryl Gurney/Callan Rydz, Dave Chisnall against Jermaine Wattimena or Leon Weber, and Raymond van Barneveld potentially meeting Ryan Searle – another of the weekend’s headline attractions if results fall into place.
With the European Tour reaching its late-summer phase, Antwerp looks set to provide another important test for the game’s leading names, and the draw ensures that there will be heavyweight contests from the very first day.
Seed | Player | Opponent(s) |
---|---|---|
6 | Rob Cross | Andrew Gilding / Mensur Suljovic |
11 | Peter Wright | Luke Woodhouse / Johan Engstrom |
3 | Stephen Bunting | Joe Cullen / Ian White |
14 | Josh Rock | Wessel Nijman / Karel Sedlacek |
7 | James Wade | Lukas Wenig / Host Nation Qualifier 2 |
10 | Dave Chisnall | Jermaine Wattimena / Leon Weber |
2 | Michael van Gerwen | Gian van Veen / Adam Gawlas |
15 | Martin Schindler | Mike De Decker / Martin Lukeman |
5 | Chris Dobey | Krzysztof Ratajski / Steve Lennon |
12 | Ross Smith | Daryl Gurney / Callan Rydz |
4 | Jonny Clayton | Michael Smith / Host Nation Qualifier 1 |
13 | Danny Noppert | Dirk van Duijvenbode / Jeffrey de Graaf |
8 | Damon Heta | Cameron Menzies / Christian Kist |
9 | Gerwyn Price | Ryan Joyce / Ricardo Pietreczko |
1 | Luke Littler | Dylan Slevin / Host Nation Qualifier 4 |
16 | Ryan Searle | Raymond van Barneveld / Host Nation Qualifier 3 |
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!