The 2025 Gambrinus Czech Darts Open, held at the vibrant PVA Expo in Prague, is set to deliver an electrifying Sunday afternoon as the third round of this prestigious PDC European Tour event unfolds. From September 5 to 7, 48 elite darts players are battling for a share of the £175,000 prize fund, with £30,000 reserved for the champion. As the eleventh stop on the 2025 European Tour, this tournament has already seen its share of drama, and today’s matchups promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Headlining the session are two blockbuster clashes: teenage sensation Luke Littler takes on Dutch prodigy Gian van Veen, while Josh Rock squares off against three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
Luke Littler, the reigning world champion, has been the standout performer of the summer, amassing titles at the World Matchplay, Australian Darts Masters, New Zealand Darts Masters, and last week’s Flanders Darts Trophy. The 18-year-old Englishman, dubbed “The Nuke,” continued his scintillating form in Prague with a commanding 6-2 victory over Cameron Menzies in the second round, where he built a 3-0 lead and sealed the win with a clinical break. Reflecting on his performance, Littler said, “I started off well, I thought Cammy was going to get into it but I’m just happy to get over the line. I’ve got good memories of playing here last year, I hit some huge averages before losing to Luke [Humphries].” His matchup against Van Veen is a rematch of the 2023 World Youth Championship final, adding a layer of intrigue. Van Veen, who dispatched Danny Noppert 6-2 with an impressive display, is eager to challenge Littler’s seemingly unstoppable momentum. Having reached multiple European Tour semifinals this year, the 25-year-old Dutchman is a dangerous opponent, making this clash a must-watch.
Equally compelling is the showdown between Josh Rock and Michael van Gerwen. Van Gerwen, the world number three, delivered a masterclass in the second round, whitewashing Mike De Decker 6-0 with a staggering 112.73 average and a 154 checkout. “To do this again feels amazing, it’s been a while for me,” Van Gerwen enthused. “I think I played a fantastic game, the first four or five legs especially were of a very high standard.” The Dutch legend, who has struggled with confidence in recent months, is hungry for his first European Tour quarter-final since April. His opponent, Josh Rock, is riding a wave of form after reaching the Flanders Darts Trophy final last week, where he narrowly lost 8-7 to Littler. Rock’s 6-2 win over William O’Connor featured a dazzling 101 checkout with two bullseyes, showcasing his flair. This matchup, their first since a thrilling World Matchplay encounter, promises fireworks as Rock aims to upset the “King of the Euro Tour.”
Other notable third-round fixtures include defending champion Luke Humphries facing Martin Schindler, who is chasing a fourth European Tour title. Humphries, the world number one, survived a 6-4 battle against Dirk van Duijvenbode and is determined to secure his first European Tour silverware of 2025. Meanwhile, Rob Cross, who has been inconsistent this year, takes on Wessel Nijman, a rising Dutch star who edged out Damon Heta 6-5. Cross’s 6-1 rout of Krzysztof Ratajski suggests he’s finding form, but Nijman’s semifinal runs this season make him a formidable threat. Gerwyn Price, fresh off a 6-2 win over Niko Springer, meets Jonny Clayton in an all-Welsh clash, a duel spiced by their World Cup of Darts partnership and Clayton’s 6-2 victory over Ryan Joyce. James Wade, who averaged over 107 in a 6-3 win over Nathan Aspinall, faces Ross Smith, while Jermaine Wattimena, who ousted Chris Dobey 6-2, takes on Ryan Searle, who averaged 102.55 against Dave Chisnall.
The afternoon session, starting at 1:00 PM local time (12:00 PM BST), sets the stage for Sunday evening’s quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. With live coverage on DAZN, Viaplay, and PDCTV, fans worldwide can witness the drama unfold. Littler’s quest for back-to-back titles, Van Gerwen’s resurgence, and Rock’s fearless approach make this Sunday a pivotal moment in the 2025 Czech Darts Open, where every dart could shape the race for the £30,000 prize and European Tour glory.
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