2026 European Darts Trophy R1 Preview – JP
2026 European Darts Trophy R1 Preview
James Punt has already posted his outright preview, read that here. He also likes a couple of bets this afternoon. His 2026 European Darts Trophy R1 preview and tips are below.
Andrew Gilding vs. Darius Labanauskas
The graveyard shift for two of the least glamourous players in the game. Gilding has been playing some decent darts but showing little consistency. He has won seven of his last ten matches but mostly averaging in the 88 – 93 zone.
Labanauskas doesn’t have a tour card anymore but still gets late call ups to Players Championships. He has lost seven of his last ten matches and is all over the place form wise.
Their H2H record is 4-2 to Gilding and he is the 1.57 favourite, with Labanauskas 2.62. They have played each other this year, in PC4, and Gilding won that 6-5. Five of their six matches have been over 9.5 legs and another close match looks like a decent call.
2026 European Darts Trophy R1 Tip: 1 point over 9.5 legs @ 2.05 with Boylesports
Niels Zonneveld vs. Keane Barry
These two have a very strange H2H record. Their last four matches have ended 6-2, with two wins each. They have played six best of eleven leg matches and five have been under 9.5 legs. I would find it tricky to pick the winner.
Barry had a decent run at the UK Open, but Zonneveld has been playing quite well in 2026 and is the better player in my book. Zonneveld 6-2? That is an 8.00 shot, but under 9.5 legs makes more sense at 1.85.
2026 European Darts Trophy R1 Tip: 1 point under 9.5 legs @ 1.85 with Boylesports
Richard Veenstra vs. Florian Hempel
Hempel lost his tour card at the end of last year, which was a shame. I quite like the way he approaches the game. Very competitive, never gives up and fears no one.
Veenstra is the archetypal journeyman pro. He has been around since the last ice age and won nothing. He has won five of his last ten matches and is playing some good stuff, and some OK stuff. He has lost eight of his last fifteen first round matches on the Euro Tour. Journeyman stuff.
Veenstra is the 1.50 favourite, with Hempel 3.00. They met three times in 2025 and Hempel won two. He looks a touch of value to me, especially as the home player.
