Danny Noppert’s European Tour struggles continue as gap widens in elite darts

Danny Noppert’s hopes of adding another European Tour title to his résumé ended in disappointment this past weekend in Leverkusen, as the Dutch star failed to progress beyond the last 16. His exit came as Krzysztof Ratajski claimed the trophy with a dramatic fightback against Jermaine Wattimena in the final.

What happened in Leverkusen?

The European Darts Open delivered another weekend of mixed standards, with extreme heat inside the arena turning the event into a battle of attrition. Averages in the 80s dominated, and only six three-figure checks were recorded across the entire tournament. Ratajski’s 9-8 semi-final win over compatriot Sebastian Bialecki set up a historic all-Polish final, which he edged 10-9 after Wattimena led 6-4.

Noppert, still chasing his first European Tour title since 2022, fell to Damon Heta in the last 16. The loss leaves his World Matchplay qualification hopes hanging by a thread, with the Blackpool showpiece just days away.

Why it matters for Danny Noppert

Noppert’s struggles on the European Tour are becoming a pattern. His exit in Germany follows a string of underwhelming performances that have seen him drop out of the top 16 in the PDC Order of Merit. The 33-year-old has won just one match on the 2025 European Tour so far, raising doubts over his readiness for the World Matchplay.

The tournament’s brutal conditions exposed weaknesses in Noppert’s game. His average of 88.7 in his defeat to Heta was well below his usual standards, while his finishing also faltered under pressure. With the World Matchplay looming, the Dutchman faces a must-win scenario to avoid a tough draw.

The wider picture: a gap in the elite?

The European Tour’s latest stop highlighted a growing divide between the darting elite and the chasing pack. The absence of top seeds like Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries left the door ajar for players like Ratajski and Bialecki. But the flipside was a tournament littered with sub-par performances, where even established names like James Wade and Dirk van Duijvenbode failed to impress.

Van Duijvenbode’s quarter-final run kept his World Grand Prix hopes alive, while Wade’s quarter-final exit extended his decade-long wait for a European Tour title. The heat and humidity in Leverkusen turned the event into a lottery, where consistency proved more valuable than class.

What comes next for Noppert?

Noppert’s focus now shifts to the World Matchplay, where he’ll need a strong showing to salvage his season. The Blackpool event kicks off on 20 July, with the Dutchman drawn against either Luke Littler or Chris Dobey in the first round. A deep run could steady his nerves, but another early exit may force a rethink of his 2025 strategy.

The European Tour’s struggles reflect broader questions about the format’s future. With top players often skipping events, the pathway to titles grows easier-but the lack of elite competition risks diluting the product. For Noppert, the stakes couldn’t be higher: another poor run could see him slip further down the rankings, and out of the World Matchplay picture entirely.