As we prepare for the World Grand Prix to begin its worth noting that hot on its heals is another 'Major' PDC event, the European Championship. The German Darts Championship is scheduled for just over two weeks time in Hildesheim and is the final stop of the 2025 European Tour merry-go-round before the big blowout in Dortmund a week later.
Last year’s surprise story was Richie Edhouse (pictured), who walked away with the European Championship title and a shiny maiden PDC major. Fast-forward twelve months and Madhouse won’t even be there to defend it. Brutal? Absolutely. But darts doesn’t care for sentiment - it’s a one-year ranking system, and if you don’t deliver, you’re out. Richie knew the score.
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In most sports, it would be scandalous for the reigning champion not to get the chance to defend their crown. In darts, it’s par for the course. In this instance, you’ve got twelve months to stack the cash on the Euro Tour Order of Merit. If you don’t, you’ll be watching from the sofa with a family-sized bag of crisps and a sense of regret.
For the uninitiated: the Euro Tour is made up of 14 events across the continent - mostly Germany (because apparently it’s the centre of the darting universe and probably offers the cheapest venue hire), with occasional field trips to Belgium, Switzerland, and other nearby hotspots.
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Tour card holders all start from scratch each January. No carry-overs, no freebies, no “but I won it last year” pleas. If you don’t believe me, just ask the aforemetioned Richie Edhouse. Prize money from the Euro Tour goes on the main Order of Merit as well as Pro Tour rankings, but there’s also a special Euro Tour table. Yes, the PDC loves a list.
Local hopefuls get their shot through the Home Nation qualifiers, but realistically their chances are smaller than a British billionaire’s tax bill. Unless they pull off the miracle of winning one outright - which, spoiler alert, basically never happens. If it has, then I am struggling to think of when.
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At the end of the 14 events, the top 32 money-makers book their ticket to Dortmund. No draw ceremony, no velvet bags - just straight seeding. Right now, that means Nathan Aspinall (top seed) would face Krzysztof Ratajski, who’s clinging on to 32nd spot like a cat on a washing line.
Here’s the state of play for those on the bubble or already toast:
- Richie Edhouse: Missed out on qualifying for Hildesheim, so his race is run. He’s £500 shy of Ratajski, which is the darting equivalent of running out of petrol 200 yards from the finish line.
- Krzysztof Ratajski: Currently the last man in. Needs a couple of wins in Hildesheim to make life awkward for the pack behind.
- Dave Chisnall: Out. Another grim chapter in what’s been a torrid season for England’s most decorated Euro Tour player
- Joe Cullen: A few grand short. Needs Ratajski to slip and to hang around long enough himself.
- Willie O’Connor: Similar story to Mr Rockstar above, but starting from just beneath him. Basically hoping for Irish luck and Polish disaster.
- Michael Smith: Fate sealed weeks ago. Didn’t bother booking a seat on the Hildesheim bus. Expect a big bounce-back next year.
- Karel Sedláček: Outside chance. Needs at least a final, maybe more. His simple equation: win it and you’re in. Don’t, and you’re probably not.
As for the likes of Callan Rydz, Niels Zonneveld, and a few other hopefuls — nothing short of lifting the Hildesheim title will do. Win it, pocket £30k, and sneak into Dortmund. Lose, and it’s “see you next year, lads.”
Of course, there’s always the reserve list. Someone inevitably drops out last minute, meaning a lucky loser gets a phone call and a golden ticket. Which means I’ll probably have to rewrite this all over again. But alas, I’m no clairvoyant, so we’ll leave it there for now.
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