Dutch winning machine, Wessel Nijman claimed the inaugural Slovak Darts Open title, defeating Rob Cross in the final to pick up his eighth PDC title of the year.
The 25-year old is becoming the new magpie of darts – and by that, I don’t mean Irish Ace, Willie O’Connor – I’m referring to similarities of that noisy bird species who tend to grab anything silver or shiny. At this rate, if somebody offered Wessel a polished wheel trim and an old teaspoon, he’d probably have them displayed on a shelf next to his trophies.
Speaking of things that are shiny on top – it’s not since Michael van Gerwen at his pomp that we’ve seen a Dutchman dominating like this kid. That’s six floor titles and now a couple of the Euro Tour this season – and we are only in June. If you had put a bet on Nijman winning at each event he’s played in during 2026, then you’d be collecting on average once every four tournaments. Those are fruit machine numbers. The sort of strike rate that has bookmakers reaching for the antacid tablets and quietly muttering words unsuitable for family viewing.
After a busy few days in Bratislava where we were reminded just how hot it was there about every quarter of an hour, no nickname Nijman – in itself a catchy moniker – it came to a finale between the two blokes who were successful on Players Championship duty in Wigan a few days earlier. By Sunday evening, we’d heard more about the weather than Michael van Gerwen has heard questions about his form. If the tournament had lasted another day, meteorologists would have been handed accreditation and invited on stage.
Wes began Sunday in early Superman style, stopping a Bullet – one called Stephen Bunting. The Scouser fired but the Netherlander caught it in his teeth, spat it out then kicked it into the venue car park. Oh, just a quick mention to the former Lakeside Champion – he has a book coming out very soon called BULLET PROOF. Darts fans – buy it. Even if his biography hadn’t gone to publication, I doubt Stephen would have given this tournament a chapter.
The Dutchman then took out the resurgent Mike De Decker who now seems to have rediscovered his mojo. But not sadly, his taste in music with Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds the best he could muster up to arrive on. A tune likely to send audiences to sleep rather than rally the troops. Still, at least the Belgian isn’t playing like he’s stoned anymore.
A real tussle then ensued against Ross Smith who hits 180s at the same alarming rate Ryanair annoy customers. It came down to the wire – but the one who ironically looks more wirey won in a dramatic last leg decider.
On the other half of the draw, Bobby Cross was casually going through the field in the same way his accent would suggest he sells fruit on a London East End market. The former World Champ just squeezed past Kevin Doets in the afternoon. Then comfortably overcame Nathan Aspinall and Tom Sykes to cruise into the final.
Cross looked back to something approaching vintage Voltage. Not the flickering bedside lamp version we’ve occasionally witnessed recently, but the full national grid. A welcomed sight indeed.
However, it seemed the decorated Englishman had run out of steam and it was fairly one sided. Voltage played his part and can be thrilled with his results in the past several days – great to see him back and firing. Afterwards, Bobby vowed to lose a bit of timber and start to get fitter. By the sounds of it, the onstage heat was comparable to a sauna, so he’d definitely shed a few pounds this weekend alone.
But at the end of the day – one of Rob’s catchphrases – Nijman was the deserving winner and for the first time in history, was crowned the PDC Slovak Darts Open. And let’s be honest, the title was thoroughly deserved. Eight PDC titles before July is bordering on selfish.
What did he do in celebration? Showed us all that he is much better at darts than he is at running, heading immediately for his family in the crowd. Think Phoebe in Central Park in an episode of Friends. Bless him.
Honestly, the lad ran with all the elegance of a supermarket trolley with one dodgy wheel. Arms flapping everywhere, legs seemingly operating under separate instructions and all the grace of Peter Kay attempting Swan Lake. If Mo Farah had witnessed it, he’d have politely suggested sticking to tungsten.
Still, nobody in Bratislava cared. Wessel Nijman had once again done what he seems to do every other week in 2026 – win another title. Right now, the Dutchman is collecting silverware with such alarming regularity that even the magpies are beginning to think he’s taking the piss.
Third Round
Rob Cross 6-5 Kevin Doets
Nathan Aspinall 6-0 Ryan Searle
Tom Sykes 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Danny Noppert
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Ross Smith 6-4 Chris Dobey
Mike De Decker 6-5 Ryan Joyce
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Stephen Bunting
Quarter-Finals
Rob Cross 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Tom Sykes 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Ross Smith 6-4 Andrew Gilding
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Mike De Decker
Semi-Finals
Rob Cross 7-2 Tom Sykes
Wessel Nijman 7-6 Ross Smith
Final
Wessel Nijman 8-3 Rob Cross
