Former world champion Michael Smith has delivered an encouraging update regarding his long-term playing future, revealing a firm commitment to return to a full schedule after battling physical setbacks.
Speaking following his hard-fought opening victory at the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, ‘Bully Boy’ Smith looked back to his sharpest form as he overcame a sluggish start to defeat Rob Owen 6-4. The St Helens thrower, who admitted to playing through discomfort following a diagnosis of arthritis in his wrists in 2025, showed flashes of his trademark brilliance by hitting 50 per cent of his doubles during only his fourth European Tour appearance of the season.
The resilient display kept alive his hopes of securing a qualification spot in the upcoming European Championship race. More importantly, it prompted an emotional and definitive pledge from the 2023 world champion regarding his commitment to the sport’s calendar in the coming years.
"I’ve missed this. I want to apologise and also make a promise in 2027 I will be playing 100 per cent of the tournaments. You will see me back," Smith declared, outlining his determination to overcome his physical battles and return to the relentless schedule that once defined his ascent to the top of world darts.
Before looking too far ahead, Smith must navigate a busy weekend at the St Jakobshalle. Having edged past Owen from 3-1 down, he advances to face Jermaine Wattimena on Saturday afternoon, with a crucial place on finals day firmly in his sights.
While Smith’s future intentions dominated the headlines on opening day, the action on the oche delivered no shortage of high-standard drama as the European Tour arrived in Switzerland. Rob Cross emerged as one of the standout performers of the Friday sessions, building on his stellar form from the recent World Grand Prix. Cross averaged an impressive 105.95 in a polished 6-3 victory over Mario Vandenbogaerde, setting up a second-round clash against Luke Woodhouse.
Another player catching the eye was former World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks, who engaged in a thrilling, high-scoring encounter with Niels Zonneveld. In a match that showcased the blistering scoring power of the modern game, both players averaged over the 100 mark and combined to hit 13 maximum 180s. Brooks ultimately held his nerve to claim a 6-4 win, maintaining a flawless record of four wins from four in European Tour opening-round matches this year. He now moves on to face Chris Dobey on Saturday.
Karel Sedlacek also kept his European Championship qualification dreams alive with a gutsy display against Sebastian Bialecki. The Czech star trailed 4-3 before mounting a successful comeback to win 6-4, highlighted by a brilliant 86 checkout on the bullseye to break his opponent’s throw at a crucial juncture. Sedlacek now advances to meet Wessel Nijman.
The home crowd in Basel were treated to a historic and emotional moment courtesy of Stefan Bellmont. The 37-year-old local favourite produced the performance of his career on European soil, defeating former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding 6-3 to become only the third Swiss player to win a match on the European Tour.
Appearing in his tenth career European Tour event, Bellmont reeled off five consecutive legs from behind to send the partisan crowd into raptures.
"Playing in front of your home crowd is very special and I wanted to win so much," an elated Bellmont said after securing just his third-ever match win on the circuit. "There were quite a few nerves in the early stages of the match, but thankfully I was able to raise my game. I know I will have to play better tomorrow, but for now I just want to enjoy this amazing moment." Bellmont’s reward is a daunting second-round fixture against Krzysztof Ratajski.
Elsewhere in the opening round, Maik Kuivenhoven brought an end to a personal losing streak stretching back nearly five years on the European Tour. The Dutchman produced a disciplined performance to defeat compatriot Raymond van Barneveld 6-3, denying the darting legend his first European Tour victory of the year.
Tight margins defined several other contests. Both Dave Chisnall and Tom Bissell were forced to dig deep, securing hard-fought deciding-leg victories against Alan Soutar and Joe Cullen respectively. Meanwhile, Spain’s Cristo Reyes enjoyed a triumphant return to the winner’s circle, recording his first European Tour victory since May with a stellar 98 average to overcome Scotland’s Cameron Menzies. Reyes now advances to face Ryan Searle in the second round.
The Swiss Darts Trophy intensifies on Saturday with a bumper double session as the 16 seeded players enter the tournament in Basel. The afternoon session opens with Ratajski facing Bellmont, followed by Nijman versus Sedlacek, Woodhouse taking on Cross, and Schindler meeting Bissell. Later in the afternoon, Searle plays Reyes, Ross Smith faces William O’Connor, Dobey meets Brooks, and Michael Smith continues his campaign against Wattimena.
The evening session brings another wave of heavyweight contests, featuring Josh Rock against Dave Chisnall, Stephen Bunting facing Jeffrey De Graaf, James Wade taking on Dirk van Duijvenbode, and Jonny Clayton squaring off against Maik Kuivenhoven. The star-studded lineup also features reigning heavyweights as Michael van Gerwen meets Mensur Suljovic, Luke Humphries takes on Kevin Doets, Gian van Veen plays Niko Springer, and Danny Noppert concludes the evening against Damon Heta.
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