Schindler misses the World Grand Prix, Taylor warns Littler after Netflix casting & van Veen fears for Van den

Darts news 12 September 2026: Schindler misses the World Grand Prix, Taylor warns Littler after Netflix casting, a Doets thriller & van Veen fears for Van den Bergh.

DartCloud Journal – Saturday, 12 September 2026

A Saturday with side effects: in Antwerp, it is not only the Flanders Darts Trophy that is over for Martin Schindler, but also his hopes of the World Grand Prix. In London, Phil Taylor sat on the judging panel at the first open casting for Luke Littler's Netflix show and came away impressed. Gian van Veen is worried about Dimitri Van den Bergh, Kevin Doets wins a thriller and talks about the hardest year of his private life – and in Portsmouth the MODUS Super Series finals night is coming up.

The most important news of the day

Martin Schindler loses 4:6 to Rob Cross and misses out on the World Grand Prix.
Phil Taylor warns Luke Littler after the casting in London: the amateurs in the Netflix challenge are better than expected.
Gian van Veen: “I'm a little afraid for Dimitri Van den Bergh's Tour Card.”
Kevin Doets beats Krzysztof Ratajski 6:5 – the Pole misses a match dart.
Andy Baetens, the last Belgian in the tournament, goes out against Ryan Searle.
Ryan Joyce knocks Josh Rock out 6:3; the rest of the evening session was still running at the time of going to press.

Story of the day: Schindler's Grand Prix dream bursts in Antwerp

The Flanders Darts Trophy is the last tournament that counts towards qualification for the World Grand Prix – and Martin Schindler had to deliver today. Instead, Germany's number one endured a laboured afternoon against Rob Cross. The start was still promising: a 15-darter with an 88 checkout. After that, though, Schindler lost his scoring, strayed into the 5 segment too often and hit only 4 of 15 attempts at a double (26.7 per cent). An average of 84.67 against Cross's 92.98 – at this level that isn't enough.

At 4:4 the match was still in the balance, Schindler having just checked out 70 via double 1. But Cross hit back, checked out in 15 darts for a 5:4 lead and sealed it with a 12-darter including an 87 finish. 4:6, tournament over, Grand Prix over: for the first time in years, Schindler will be missing from the double-start classic in Leicester.

Remarkably, Cross admits he is not playing at full strength. The former world champion conceded that he has trained little of late and is not yet at the fitness level he wants – and added: “Of course I believe I can win this tournament.” After today, that is hard to argue with.

In the race for Leicester, it is above all Joe Cullen who benefits from Schindler's exit. Karel Sedláček, another of the chasers, is out too: 3:6 against Jermaine Wattimena. Krzysztof Ratajski was mathematically safe before the tournament, and Niko Springer also has his ticket in the bag.

Darts in Germany: Clemens and Springer face the top stars tonight

While Schindler has left, the other two Germans are in action at the Antwerp Expo tonight – and both against serious opposition. Gabriel Clemens meets top seed Gian van Veen, Niko Springer takes on Nathan Aspinall.

Clemens, who is only in the field as a replacement, spoke openly today about his rare appearances on the European Tour stage: “It's my first or second match on the European Tour this year.” The 43-year-old draws his own conclusion: “Next year I definitely have to play more European Tours.” Ahead of the duel with the world number three, he knows what to expect: “Gian van Veen is a fantastic player – I have to play better.”

Springer goes into the match against Aspinall with nothing to lose: his Grand Prix qualification is secure, every further leg in Antwerp is a bonus. Both matches were still running at the time of going to press – the results are in our separate tournament article.

Taylor warns Littler: “The standard is unbelievable”

Away from the stage, London was the darts capital today: the first open casting for Luke Littler's Netflix show took place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The concept of the live show: the world number one takes on 20 amateurs, each getting a single leg of 501 – whoever wins pockets 501,000 pounds. Gary Lineker hosts, Richard Osman analyses.

Anyone wanting to take part had to check out 501 in a maximum of 24 darts today, which equates to an average of around 62.6. After that came the producers' interview and an appearance before a panel featuring Phil Taylor, Barry Hearn and Laura Turner. The turnout was enormous: thousands travelled in, from all over Europe, from Brazil, even from the Falkland Islands.

Taylor was impressed – and sent a warning Littler's way: “The standard was unbelievable, and there is no doubt that Luke will have to bring his best game on the night. The motivation of these players to beat him is huge.” Osman did the maths: even with an 85 per cent chance of winning each leg, Littler's chance of winning all 20 legs is only around 15 per cent. A second casting is planned in Manchester.

Van Veen worried about Van den Bergh

Gian van Veen commented today on the state of Belgian darts – and voiced a clear concern: “I'm a little afraid for Dimitri Van den Bergh's Tour Card, because he hasn't thrown for several months now.” The long competitive break of the former Matchplay winner is a talking point in the scene; van Veen, who has a good relationship with Van den Bergh, is curious to see how the Belgian returns.

At the same time he urged calm and pointed to Kim Huybrechts, who found his way back after a difficult spell: “I wouldn't panic too quickly.” Van Veen also touched on Mike De Decker, who is searching for form after a change of equipment – but in the long term, Belgian darts remains competitive.

Doets: best darts year, hardest year privately

Kevin Doets was doubly in focus today. In sporting terms he won the thriller of the afternoon: 6:5 against Krzysztof Ratajski, after the Pole left a match dart at double 20 in the decider. Both averages were practically level (93.49 to 93.27).

And then there is the interview in which the Dutchman was unusually open: “In darts terms it's my best year, but personally my worst year.” A Matchplay debut, a first Grand Prix qualification, a first European Tour final, a first floor title – and alongside that the separation from the mother of his son, a house move and the death of his father. “The mental side of darts makes up at least 80 per cent,” says Doets, who sits just outside the top 20 and describes his own form as “up and down”. The fan chant “Doets there it is” amuses him – but he can't explain it.

Baetens: from the Spar shop to the PDC stage

The hosts' hopes ended today with Andy Baetens: 2:6 against Ryan Searle, who won six legs in a row after an early deficit and produced two ton-plus finishes with 105 and 122. Baetens' story nonetheless remains one of the finest of the tournament: the Belgian works full time in a Spar shop in Hofstade. “I have little free time, and nearly all of it goes into practice,” he said today. He had slipped into the tournament via the host nation qualifier; his goal for next year is clear: to win back his Tour Card.

In brief: Flanders Darts Trophy (European Tour 13)

Alongside Cross's win over Schindler, the afternoon session of the second round brought a show of force from Ross Smith, who dispatched Jeffrey de Graaf 6:2 with an average of 100.21 and a 75 per cent doubles rate. Danny Noppert (97.71) gave Chris Landman no chance, Chris Dobey lost only one leg against Niels Zonneveld and Luke Woodhouse came through against William O'Connor with 98.63. In the evening, Ryan Joyce swept seeded Josh Rock off the board 6:3.

Krzysztof Ratajski 5:6 Kevin Doets
Jermaine Wattimena 6:3 Karel Sedláček
Martin Schindler 4:6 Rob Cross
Danny Noppert 6:2 Chris Landman
Ryan Searle 6:2 Andy Baetens
Chris Dobey 6:1 Niels Zonneveld
Luke Woodhouse 6:3 William O'Connor
Ross Smith 6:2 Jeffrey de Graaf
Josh Rock 3:6 Ryan Joyce

Still on the board at the time of going to press: Price – Brooks, Wade – Long, van Veen – Clemens, van Gerwen – Heta, Aspinall – Springer, Bunting – Dolan and Nijman – Bialecki. Everything else in the tournament article.

In brief: MODUS Super Series

At the Live Lounge in Portsmouth, Group B of week six is complete: Jamai van den Herik secured top spot with 12 points from four matches, Ram Guevara Jr. also reached 12 points, and James Hubbard followed in third on 10. George Killington and John O'Shea are out. The three meet Derek Coulson (Group A) as well as David Munyua and Kevin Edwards (Group C) on finals night.

George Killington 0:4 Ram Guevara Jr.
Jamai van den Herik 4:1 James Hubbard
Ram Guevara Jr. 4:3 John O'Shea
George Killington 4:1 Jamai van den Herik
Ram Guevara Jr. 4:1 James Hubbard
John O'Shea 4:2 George Killington
Jamai van den Herik 4:0 Ram Guevara Jr.
James Hubbard 4:1 John O'Shea

Coming up tomorrow

Finals day at the Flanders Darts Trophy starts at 1pm with the last 16, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final from 7pm. Confirmed are the ties Doets – Wattimena, Cross – Noppert, Searle – Dobey and Woodhouse – Smith; Ryan Joyce awaits the winner of Price – Brooks, and the remaining pairings come out of tonight's evening session.