The 2025 Gambrinus Czech Darts Open roared to life in Prague’s PVA Expo on September 5, delivering a night of electrifying darts that set the stage for an unforgettable weekend. Nathan Aspinall, the former World Matchplay champion, stole the show with a commanding 6-0 whitewash over local qualifier Jiri Brejcha, while Germany’s rising star Niko Springer sealed the second-round lineup with a dramatic 6-5 last-leg decider victory over Joe Cullen. The opening night of the eleventh PDC European Tour event of the season showcased the sport’s raw intensity, with Aspinall’s dominance and Springer’s heroics captivating the Czech crowd.
Aspinall, a two-time European Tour winner in 2025, returned to the oche with a vengeance after missing the Flanders Darts Trophy. His performance against Brejcha was a masterclass, blending precision finishing with relentless scoring. A sublime 152 checkout in the fourth leg electrified the arena, and despite strong home support for Brejcha, Aspinall barely gave his opponent a chance. “It felt good to be back up here after not playing for a while,” Aspinall reflected, his confidence palpable as he advanced to face James Wade in the second round on Saturday, September 6. With an average of 85.89, Aspinall’s display underscored his hunger to reclaim a spot in the world’s top 20, having slipped to 21st in the rankings.
Meanwhile, Springer’s clash with Cullen was the evening’s defining moment, a nerve-shredding battle that went down to the wire. The 25-year-old German, ranked 73rd in the world, showcased his potential with spectacular checkouts of 144 and 140 early in the match. Despite Cullen’s resilience and four missed match darts, Springer held his nerve, capitalizing on a 90-point finish to clinch the decider. His victory, the final match of Friday’s session, sent the Prague crowd into a frenzy and secured his place against Gerwyn Price in the second round. Springer’s rise, marked by his PDC Tour Card win earlier this year, signals his emergence as a serious contender on the European stage.
The night was packed with other standout performances. Ryan Searle cruised past Filip Manak 6-2, setting up a tantalizing clash with Dave Chisnall, while Krzysztof Ratajski dismantled Raymond van Barneveld 6-1 in a one-sided rout. Dirk van Duijvenbode survived a late scare to defeat Cor Dekker 6-4, earning a showdown with defending champion Luke Humphries. Mike De Decker, averaging over 100, swept past Ritchie Edhouse 6-3, and Gian van Veen’s 103.70 average powered him to a 6-3 win over Maik Kuivenhoven. However, it was a night to forget for Daryl Gurney, who fell 6-4 to Kevin Doets, halting his momentum from a semi-final run in Flanders.
The Czech Darts Open, with its £175,000 prize fund and £30,000 top prize, is a critical stop on the PDC European Tour, drawing 48 players to compete over three days. Friday’s 16 first-round matches whittled the field to 32, with top seeds like Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Humphries entering the fray on Saturday. The tournament’s format—best-of-11 legs for the first two rounds, best-of-13 for the third round and quarter-finals, best-of-15 for the semi-finals, and best-of-17 for the final—ensures relentless action. Saturday’s second round, split into afternoon and evening sessions, will see Aspinall’s clash with Wade and Springer’s test against Price, alongside Littler facing Cameron Menzies, who impressed with a 6-3 win over Ian White.
Aspinall’s whitewash and Springer’s last-leg heroics have set a high bar for the weekend. As Prague pulses with darts fever, fans eagerly await whether Aspinall can sustain his dominance and if Springer can upset another big name. With the third round, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final set for Sunday, the 2025 Czech Darts Open promises more drama, precision, and passion in one of Europe’s most vibrant darts hubs.
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