Luke Littler storms into European Championship quarter-finals as defending champion Gian van Veen exits

Luke Littler produced another stunning display of darts to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 European Championship, while title holder Gian van Veen suffered a surprise early exit in Dortmund. The world number one averaged a blistering 114.47 as he defeated Nathan Aspinall 10-5 in the last 16 on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, the defending champion was beaten 10-6 by Luke Woodhouse earlier in the day, ending his hopes of retaining the trophy at the Westfalenhalle.

The result leaves Littler firmly on course in his bid to complete the set of major PDC titles. The European Championship had remained the one major ranking event missing from his already remarkable collection. At just 19 years old, the teenager continues to rewrite the record books and is now just three matches away from adding another prestigious title to his name.

Littler’s High-Average Masterclass Against Aspinall

From the very first legs, Littler looked in complete control. He raced into a 4-0 lead by winning the opening four legs in 12, 11, 12 and 11 darts. His scoring was relentless, and for a spell his three-dart average sat well above 130. Aspinall, a proven big-stage performer, refused to fold. The Stockport player hit ten maximums and clawed his way back to 5-4, forcing Littler to stay sharp.

Yet the world champion never truly looked troubled. He regained his composure after the break and closed out the best-of-19 contest 10-5 with authority. “I felt really good from the off,” Littler said afterwards. He admitted disappointment at dropping a leg before the interval but acknowledged Aspinall’s fighting qualities and the need to maintain focus throughout.

The 114.47 average ranked among the highest of the tournament so far and underlined just how dangerous Littler remains when fully locked in. He will next face Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals. Ratajski showed character of his own by recovering from 4-0 and 8-6 down to beat Kevin Doets 10-8 earlier in the evening session.

Defending Champion Van Veen Falls to Woodhouse

While Littler progressed smoothly, the biggest shock of the day came in the afternoon session. Gian van Veen, who lifted the European Championship trophy for the first time in 2025 after a dramatic final win over Luke Humphries, could not find his best form against Luke Woodhouse. The Englishman, who had already thrown a nine-darter earlier in the tournament, produced a solid and composed performance to win 10-6.

Woodhouse averaged 95.34 and landed six 180s. Van Veen managed only 91.47 and was punished for missed doubles, including three darts at double 20 late in the match. The Dutchman has struggled against Woodhouse in previous meetings, and that trend continued in Dortmund. The defeat means Van Veen’s title defence ended in the last 16.

Despite the early exit, Van Veen is still expected to rise to second place on the world rankings after the tournament, matching the highest position of his career so far. The result also completed a difficult weekend for the Dutch contingent, following Michael van Gerwen’s first-round defeat to Kevin Doets.

Other Results and the Road Ahead

Several other established names advanced on Saturday. Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Ross Smith and home favourite Martin Schindler all secured their places in the last eight. The quarter-finals are scheduled for Sunday afternoon, with the semi-finals and final to follow later the same day.

For Littler, the path to a first European Championship title remains clear but demanding. He has already spoken of his desire to claim the one major that has so far eluded him. His form in Dortmund suggests he is more than ready for the challenge. The high scoring and clinical finishing against Aspinall will give confidence heading into the Ratajski match.

The 2026 European Championship has already delivered drama, high averages and early exits for big names. With the field now reduced to eight players, the focus intensifies. Littler stands as one of the clear favourites, yet the presence of experienced campaigners such as Price, Bunting and Ratajski means nothing can be taken for granted.

Van Veen’s elimination removes one of the strongest potential obstacles from Littler’s half of the draw. The young Dutch star had arrived in Dortmund in excellent recent form, including a record-breaking 120-plus average on the European Tour only a week earlier. His early departure therefore ranks as one of the tournament’s major talking points.

As the action moves into the decisive stages, all eyes will remain on Littler. The teenager has already achieved more in the professional game than most players manage in a lifetime. Completing the major set with a European Championship triumph would represent another landmark moment in a career that continues to captivate darts fans worldwide. Whether he can maintain the extraordinary level shown against Aspinall will go a long way toward deciding who lifts the trophy in Dortmund this weekend.

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