The opening round of the 2026 European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen delivered a major shock on Friday afternoon as former world champion Rob Cross was dumped out in a 6-2 defeat to Mickey Mansell. Mansell, averaging 100.32, took control early, leading 2-1 with a 68 checkout before breaking and extending his lead with an 11-darter (98 checkout) and a 12-darter for 4-1. Cross briefly responded with a 77 checkout on double 16 to make it 4-2, but Mansell sealed the victory with an 86 finish on double 12.
Wessel Nijman continued his recent superb form, dispatching Ian White 6-2. Nijman, who won a ProTour title earlier in the week, took a 1-0 lead with a 16-darter on double eight, broke with an 11-darter on double 16 for 3-1, and extended to 4-1 on double four. White held on double 10 for 4-2, but Nijman closed out the match with a double 16 for 5-2 and an 80 checkout on double 10 for the 6-2 win.
Elsewhere, Dave Chisnall advanced despite shaky doubling, beating Petr Krivka while averaging 95 and hitting three 180s but converting only 6 of 16 doubles. Keane Barry ended Niels Zonneveld's strong European Tour run with a 6-3 victory, highlighted by a 124 checkout for a 2-1 lead and a 130 finish to seal the win. Andrew Gilding overcame a tricky test against Germany's Paul Krohne 6-3, while Kevin Doets survived late pressure from Jurjen van der Velde to win 6-4. Krzysztof Ratajski eased past Michael Hurtz 6-3, but Karel Sedlacek's good form was halted by a surprise 6-4 loss to Valters Melderis.
