Daryl Gurney defies Callan Rydz with 104 average in a thriller as Michael Smith dumped out at Flanders Darts Trophy

Daryl Gurney served up the sublime while Raymond van Barneveld advanced and Michael Smith was dumped out of the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy on Friday evening. The five-time world champion overcame Host Nation Qualifier Xanti van den Bergh, the younger brother of Dimitri, in his first match of the tournament. ‘Barney’ ultimately proved too strong for the Belgian, winning 6-3.

Van den Bergh started boldly at the Flanders Darts Trophy, quickly taking a 2-0 lead. However, Van Barneveld did not panic and continued throwing stoically. With a 16-darter and a 15-darter, the Dutchman quickly leveled the score at 2-2, before taking the lead for the first time with a 13-darter. Van den Bergh responded with a 16-darter to draw level once again.

‘Barney’ was, however, more consistent throughout the match and went 4-3 up with a finish on tops. He then came within one leg of victory with an 18-darter. The 58-year-old from The Hague secured his place in the second round by finishing 80 in 18 darts.

De Decker gave the Belgian crowd a reason to cheer by defeating Englishman Martin Lukeman in his first-round match. It was a tough battle for the Belgian, but he eventually claimed the match 6-3. ‘Real Deal’ started slowly but managed to take a 2-0 lead with a 20-darter and an 18-darter.

Meanwhile, Lukeman had fought back to 2-2 against De Decker. The Belgian regained the lead with a 21-darter and moved to 4-2 in 16 darts. ‘Smash’ pulled one back with a brilliant 127 finish to make it 4-3, but the Belgian quickly went 5-3 up again. ‘Real Deal’ then closed out the match in style by hitting 84 via the bullseye to reach the second round.

Wessel Nijman couldn't claim the win though as he was shocked by 'Evil Charlie' Karel Sedlacek 6-5. He hit an 84 finish on the bullseye in the final leg. Both players held their own legs in the first two, but the Czech pulled ahead 3-1, helped by an 11-darter. Nijman fought back to level at 3-3. ‘Evil Charlie’ then went ahead again, but the Dutchman responded with a 101 finish to equalize.

Two legs later, Nijman needed an 83 finish to force a final leg. In that last leg, he seemed to have three darts at double 16 to win the match, but Sedlacek had other ideas. The Czech hit 84 via the bullseye to secure the victory.

Michael Smith's woes continue as Daryl Gurney dazzles

Michael Smith's woes continued as he was beaten in a thriller to reach the second round by Mario Vandenbogaerde. ‘Bully Boy’ took the first leg, but the Belgian surged to 4-1. Smith fought back to 5-5, forcing a last-leg decider. In that final leg, however, it was ‘Super Mario’ who came out on top.

After missing five match darts in leg 10, he finally hit his seventh match dart on double 8 in the last leg to win 6-5. Additionally, Ryan Joyce defeated Ricardo Pietreczko 6-5 and now receives a bye through to Sunday as Gerwyn Price withdrew earlier tonight.

Joe Cullen beat Ian White 6-1 in his first-round match. After losing the opening leg he eased through without much complications as he joins the final day line-up but Daryl Gurney overcame Callan Rydz 6-3 to secure his second-round spot and was the star of the piece.

He hit a 104 average while Rydz hit a 106 in defeat. The latter started with a 72 checkout to make it 1-0 but Gurney started in a manner he meant to go on as he hit a 140 checkout for a 12-darter. From there he consolidated with a 72 checkout. He broke with another fan fare finish. A superb 127 and followed it up with an 11-darter, a great 84 checkout. It was a 92 checkout to finish with Rydz missing 84 on the bull and Gurney returned for a 6-3 win.