World number two Luke Humphries has been forced to withdraw from the European Championship currently taking place in Dortmund, Germany. The PDC confirmed that the reigning World Grand Prix champion was unable to compete due to a bout of gastroenteritis.
Humphries, who secured the PDC World Championship title in January 2024, arrived in Germany in strong form. He recently reached the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy, where he was defeated by Jonny Clayton, but his campaign in Dortmund ended before it began.
Following the withdrawal, Kim Huybrechts was drafted into the tournament as a replacement. As the highest-ranked player from the 2026 European Tour rankings who had not initially qualified, the Belgian was given a late opportunity to compete on the big stage.
Huybrechts made an immediate impact, securing a dominant 6-1 victory over Ryan Searle during Thursday’s opening round. The Belgian displayed clinical form, hitting six 180s and maintaining a 67% checkout success rate throughout the contest.
Reflecting on his sudden inclusion, Huybrechts noted the unconventional preparation for his match. He received the call at 9:30 am and completed a three-hour drive to the venue, arriving with little time to spare before his encounter with Searle.
Huybrechts is now set to face Stephen Bunting in the second round. Bunting advanced to this stage after a narrow 6-5 victory against Danny Noppert, a match highlighted by a crucial 160 checkout in the deciding leg.
The opening day of the tournament was also marked by a significant milestone from Luke Woodhouse. The Englishman produced a perfect nine-dart finish during his 6-3 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode, marking his first such achievement on a televised stage.
Woodhouse’s nine-darter occurred in the fourth leg of the match, where he hit two 180s before finishing with a 141 checkout. He remained composed following the feat, focusing on maintaining his lead to secure the win.
Looking ahead, Woodhouse is scheduled to play defending champion Gian van Veen in the last 16. Van Veen earned his spot in the next round by overcoming Andrew Gilding 6-4 in a competitive opening encounter.
Elsewhere in the draw, Damon Heta progressed after a tense 6-5 victory over James Wade. Heta will now face Ross Smith, who navigated a difficult match against Karel Sedlacek to win 6-4.
Gerwyn Price also secured a comfortable passage to the next round, defeating Rob Cross 6-2. Price is set to meet Cameron Menzies in the last 16, after Menzies defeated Niels Zonneveld 6-3 on the opening day.
The tournament continues on Friday, with world number one and current PDC world champion Luke Littler set to begin his campaign. Littler will face William O'Connor as he looks to make his mark on the European Championship.
The European Championship remains one of the most prestigious events on the PDC calendar, featuring the top performers from the European Tour. The absence of Humphries, a consistent force in major tournaments, changes the landscape of the competition.
Huybrechts expressed his surprise at the turn of events, stating that he was dancing around his house upon receiving the news of his entry. He plans to return home before deciding on his approach for the remainder of the week.
The standard of play on the opening day in Dortmund highlighted the high level of competition currently seen in professional darts. With nine-darters and high-pressure finishes becoming more frequent, the tournament promises further drama in the coming days.
As the field narrows, the focus shifts to the remaining contenders who will battle for the title. The event in Dortmund is expected to draw significant attention as the world's best players compete for the championship trophy.
The tournament structure, which sees winners of the first round advance to the last 16, ensures that every match carries high stakes. With the top seeds now entering the fray, the intensity is expected to increase significantly.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the draw unfolds following the early exit of Humphries. The performance of players like Littler and Van Veen will be central to the narrative as the competition progresses through the weekend.
The PDC continues to oversee a packed schedule, with the European Championship serving as a key indicator of form ahead of the year-end major events. The quality of play displayed on Thursday suggests a highly competitive tournament ahead.
Further updates on the tournament results and the progress of the remaining players will be provided as the event continues in Germany. The second round promises to be a pivotal stage in determining the eventual winner.
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