Reigning World Matchplay Champion, Luke Littler, will begin his defence against Niko Springer.
Not the best news the German will hear this year. In fact, despite the field being more stacked than Scotland’s odds of ever getting out of a FIFA World Cup group, no matter who he drew, it was always going to be tough. But perhaps not much tougher than getting this bloke.
That said, Springer will be thinking, “get him early” and hopefully console himself that he did just that.
To be honest, every year we say it’s the best World Matchplay line-up ever. You can make an argument for that this time. However, it’s always going to be the top sixteen mixed with the most in-form players on the Pro Tour over the last year. But yeah, it’s pretty heavy with tungsten talent.
Mr 2024 Winter Gardens Champ, better known to darts fans as Luke Humphries, has a tough opener, facing Cameron Menzies. If memory serves, the players’ tables are made from metal, so should be able to survive if the Scot loses. Just joking, Cammie pal, you know I was going to get that in! Best wishes to you both. There, I can be sincere!
Dutch number one and third seed Gian van Veen is showing signs of his best form again. Nothing like surgery to put you off your stride. The tall Netherlander will have to be bang on form if he is to get past the stealth Krzysztof Ratajski. Whether the Pole wins or loses, you wouldn’t be able to tell from his facial expression. Or the state of the table afterwards.
Three-time Matchplay Champ, Michael van Gerwen, is right now hit or miss. But on his day, the darting juggernaut can still beat anyone. His first task, though, will be seeing off Andrew Gilding – the man who, against the odds, defeated him in a recent-ish UK Open Final. Goldfinger won’t care who he plays. To be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if he turned up mid-July with his flask, wearing a beanie and still clueless who his opponent is. Such is the brilliant lethargy of the man.
All in all, it’s a feast befitting of any oche buffet. Not that you’d choose to dine there. Especially after this sweaty bunch have done playing.
Gezzy against little Schindi could be a barnstormer. Expect maximums galore when Smudger goes up against Kevin Doets. Wessel Nijman is the only one to hit more 180s on the Players Championship circuit this season. And we know Ross pings them in his sleep, which is a metaphor and not a highly hazardous warning to Mrs Smith.
Speaking of Wes, he faces Chizzy, who himself is gaining a bit of steam. Nijman will obviously start as favourite, but the Saints slinger has been to Blackpool more times than most of the donkeys who wonder when the hell their annual leave is. Christmas, I expect, lads, when it’s cold enough not to want to ride you on the beach. There’s enough of that when the Scots come to town in the summer. With themselves, by the way – I am not suggesting bestiality.
We have another Aspinall stag do match-up, with the soon-to-be-married Nathan taking on the Rockstar, Joe Cullen. A northern England clash to certainly whet the appetite. The Asp has binned a lot of events off recently. In fact, unless it’s a Euro Tour or singing dreadfully in London’s Hyde Park, he’s been a bit of an oche hermit. Meanwhile, Joe knocked in a nine-darter recently. So it’s gonna be a close call.
Who else am I yet to mention? Ah, of course, last year’s runner-up, James Wade. Not only does The Machine love this Lancastrian town, but his wife, Sammi, is from here. So qualifying for the Matchplay is a bit of a family holiday for James and Co. Then, when he is there, he normally hangs around a while – certainly long enough to get ripped off on food at the local zoo. Well, Wadey will be up against Jermaine Wattimena. Last year, the Dutchman broke his title duck and picked up two floor titles. But against Mr Blackpool, it won’t be easy.
Pride of Scotland, Gary Anderson, is only one of six in the field to have tasted Winter Gardens success. With thousands of Scots opting for Blackpool for their fortnight summer vacation – God only knows why – Ando will have plenty of support when he takes on neighbour Ryan Joyce. They don’t live exactly a few doors from one another, but both residing in the south-west of England, may well share the fuel costs. Scots are tight like that – even the rich ones who own a few lakes.
Speaking of the long-haired heavy metal fan – of nickname as well as musical weapon of choice – Ryan Searle meets Ireland’s Willie O’Connor, who I discovered earlier today, favours a raspberry-flavoured Swiss Roll. Beat Searle and he can stock up on quite a few of those cylindrical bad boys.
Another former winner is Rob Cross, who is another worth a cheeky flutter. Voltage is the only one present who has won at least back-to-back matches in each of his last three Players Championship outings. It may count for absolutely nothing. But if you are looking for a decent horse to back, Bobby is a safer bet than the ones on the promenade crapping everywhere. He faces Danny Noppert, who last year had more semis than a below-average porn star.
The Ferret has been handed an Australian assignment in Damon Heta. The Heat is hardly at full boil these days, but more than capable of turning the gas up at any time. Jonny is one of those players you always mention as a contender. This is no different.
Now, I have to say, Josh Rock versus Luke Woodhouse is making me salivate. That may be because I am yet to have my dinner, too busy annoying the PDC by leaking who Littler plays in the first round. Both have been triumphant on the Euro Tour this year. Both will secretly fancy their chances to go far in this.
Lovable Scouser, Stephen Bunting, who London recently discovered, painfully, is not quite the singer he thinks he is, goes up against Niels Zonneveld, who is about as big a banana skin as you’d want to get. On his day, Triple Z is fantastic, proving just that with consecutive semi-finals on the Euro Tour. Bunting has the experience and, all in all, is the better player. But if The Bullet finds he is shooting blanks – and he has two sons, so I don’t mean in that sense – then the Dutchman could be the one firing into round two.
Then, to wrap the preview up, everyone’s favourite Geordie, well apart from Rydz and Joyce’s family members, Chris Dobey. He will play The Aubergenius, Dirk van Duijvenbode who, let’s say, has quite the energetic walk-on. Personally, I am not a fan of that kind of music. Although I think Hey Jude is equally as shit a choice too. Not to the point I’d favour Dirk’s though. I think I will start watching that one after they’ve both chucked their requisite practice darts. Save my ears from any unnecessary pain.
Think that’s everyone given a mention. Quick check, hang on.
Yep, all done. Grab some popcorn and a few tins of lager and enjoy what is always a brilliant tournament amidst an audience of grown men dressed inventively, who have clearly had more than a few beers!
FULL DRAW
(1) Luke Littler v Niko Springer
(2) Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies
(3) Gian van Veen v Krzysztof Ratajski
(4) Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding
(5) Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta
(6) James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena
(7) Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler
(8) Josh Rock v Luke Woodhouse
(9) Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonnerveld
(10) Danny Noppert v Rob Cross
(11) Ryan Searle v William O’Connor
(12) Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce
(13) Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode
(14) Wessel Nijman v Dave Chisnall
(15) Ross Smith v Kevin Doets
(16) Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen
Oh, before we finish, I saw this and thought it was interesting. You may not. But it’s my article, so it goes in.
It’s entitled ‘Matchplay INS and OUTS 2025–2026’. It does exactly what it says on the tin:
IN
William O’Connor (IRE)
Kevin Doets (NED)
Krzysztof Ratajski (POL)
Niko Springer (GER)
Niels Zonnerveld (NED)
OUT
Daryl Gurney (NI)
Peter Wright (SCO)
Mike De Decker (BEL)
Raymond van Barneveld (NED)
Ricardo Pietreczko (GER)
See, was mildly interesting right?
