Tensions between Michael Smith and Mickey Mansell escalated during a Euro Tour qualifying event in Hildesheim on Wednesday, spilling over into a heated social media exchange. The pair faced off in one of ten decisive qualifiers for a place at the first Euro Tour tournament of 2026, with Mansell, ranked 47th in the world, beating Smith, ranked 32nd, by a 6-3 scoreline. Mansell averaged 83.07 to Smith's 82.89, with the Northern Irishman proving sharper on doubles to secure the win.
After the match, Smith took to Facebook in a since-deleted post to attack Mansell's playing style, suggesting he deliberately slowed the game by lingering at the oche. "Imagine doing that to win a game. Tinkerbell won’t come along and move your darts for you. No need stand looking at the board for 15 seconds. Horrible mentality. And horrible player," Smith wrote. Mansell responded playfully when Smith later withdrew from a second Euro Tour qualifier due to a foot injury, posting: "Should've been a boxer, knocked one man out of two tournaments." This triggered further reactions, including from Smith's wife Dagmara, who jabbed that Mansell would be "too slow" for boxing.
Smith's frustration is set against a backdrop of injuries and a dip in form since his 2023 world title. On Instagram, he shared a photo explaining his physical condition and addressed the incident, writing: "It shouldn’t bother me but it does because it makes me questions myself why do I bother to put up with the pain and suffering to please everyone else over my health." The row highlights the high stakes of Euro Tour qualifiers for players outside the top 16, with relations between the two now appearing decidedly frosty ahead of any future meetings.
