Dave Chisnall pulled off a stunning escape on Day One of the 2026 European Darts Trophy, battling back from the brink to defeat Jeffrey de Zwaan in a match that saw him survive three match darts. The St Helens ace, who has shed weight recently, struggled early, averaging around 75 and facing a potential whitewash, but he clawed back legs to secure a remarkable victory in European Tour history.
In a post-match interview, Chisnall joked about the tense affair, saying, "It was a weird game. I’d rather start the match in pieces than end it." He added, "That last leg was a bit weird, we both didn’t score well. But I took the finish, and I’m happy!" The win sets up a second-round clash on Saturday in Gottingen against former European Champion Ross Smith.
Chisnall acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting he has lost the last seven games against Smith, calling it an "uphill struggle." To put the hoodoo in perspective, he drew a comparison to his past record against Michael van Gerwen, stating, "Michael van Gerwen had beaten me 26 out of 26 games and I did get one win eventually!" He emphasized the need for improvement, saying, "I’ve got to play a lot better tomorrow than I did tonight. Ross Smith is a great darts player."
