Krzysztof Ratajski defeated Jermaine Wattimena 8-6 in a nail-biting remaining to win the European Darts Open in Leverkusen.
Ratajski raced right into a 4-1 lead just for Wattimena to reel off 5 legs in succession, however the Pole roared from 6-4 down to assert his first title of 2026 and third-ever on the European Tour.
Having dethroned reigning champion Nathan Aspinall on path to the ultimate, the brand new world No 20 set his sights on the Betfred World Matchplay, stay on Sky Sports activities from July 18-26.
“I’m really happy. I don’t know what to say,” the 2021 Matchplay semi-finalist stated. “It was a close game. Jermaine played very well, and I’m really happy that I survived it.
“I did not count on it. I’d have been proud of the final eight or final 4, so to win the title is greater than I anticipated.
“I will do my best in Blackpool. I hope I will play well and hopefully I can win that first match. We will see.”
The victory ensured Ratajski maintained his flawless document in ProTour finals, and there was achievement in defeat for Wattimena, who reached his first semi-final and remaining on the circuit.
“I’m very happy with that,” the Dutchman stated. “It was a magic day.
“I missed some probabilities, however he missed some probabilities as nicely, so I believe it is a honest consequence. He was the higher participant so nicely accomplished to Krzysztof.”
![Jermaine Wattimena reached his first-ever semi-final and final on the circuit [Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe]](https://e0.365dm.com/26/07/768x432/skysports-wattimena-darts-european-darts-open_7296183.jpg?20260712231107)
Wattimena reached his first semi-final and remaining on the circuit [Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe]
2026 European Darts Open
Sunday July 12
Afternoon Session
Spherical Three
Jermaine Wattimena 6-1 Ryan Joyce
Luke Woodhouse 6-5 Jonny Clayton
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Wessel Nijman
Damon Heta 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Sebastian Bialecki 6-4 Kevin Doets
James Wade 6-2 Jan Schmidt
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Ross Smith
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Gian van Veen
Night Session
Quarter-finals
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Luke Woodhouse
Damon Heta 6-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Sebastian Bialecki 6-2 James Wade
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Nathan Aspinall
Semi-finals
Jermaine Wattimena 7-3 Damon Heta
Krzysztof Ratajski 7-5 Sebastian Bialecki
Remaining
Krzysztof Ratajski 8-6 Jermaine Wattimena
What’s taking place on Sky Sports activities subsequent?
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Watch each nine-darter that has been hit on the World Matchplay
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will happen on the iconic Winter Gardens from July 18-26, as a 32-player discipline competes for the distinguished Phil Taylor Trophy.
World No 1 Luke Littler will likely be eyeing back-to-back titles in Blackpool, with 2024 champion Luke Humphries and three-time World Matchplay winner Van Gerwen additionally set to star within the £1m occasion.
This summer season’s motion can even characteristic the fifth staging of the Betfred Ladies’s World Matchplay, as eight of the largest names within the ladies’s sport battle it out for the title presently held by Lisa Ashton.
Who will win this 12 months’s World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will likely be defending his title and you’ll watch all of the motion on Sky Sports activities. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
