German Stars Light Up Opening Round at the 2025 German Darts Grand Prix
If you craved high-octane action and drama, day one of the Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Grand Prix in Munich felt more like a festival than just another tournament opener. The German crowd packed the venue with hope, and their favorites answered right away. Ricardo Pietreczko unleashed a performance that left jaws on the floor, smashing through debutant Adam Paxton with a blistering 106 average. Every treble felt like it rattled through the arena, and the 6-3 win wasn't just about numbers — it was a statement for the rest of the field.
Not to be outdone, Martin Schindler kept the home spirit burning with his own firecracker performance. His 103 average against Mario Vandenbogaerde matched Pietreczko's 6-3 scoreline and made sure the energy stayed sky-high in the stands. Both men, regulars on the tour, looked sharper than ever. The crowd responded, waving flags and chanting each time the dartboard lit up with another German maximum. If you're measuring early favorites by their confidence, Schindler and Pietreczko set the standard.
Big Finishes, Big Names, and a Touch of Class on Day One
Elsewhere, Belgium's Kim Huybrechts had little time for suspense, cruising to a 6-0 whitewash over Finn Behrens. He hardly gave Behrens a look-in, mixing solid scoring with the kind of finishing that makes rivals worry. It was one of those matches where Huybrechts kept his foot on the gas from the first dart.
For fans who live for the highlight reel, Dirk van Duijvenbode delivered with a bang. A setup of 171 followed by a majestic 132 checkout put the finishing touch on his 6-1 rout of Andy Boulton. Those are the moments that make crowds leap to their feet — the sort of shots bold enough to show who’s got big-stage composure in Munich.
Krzysztof Ratajski, meanwhile, handled pressure of a different kind. Facing Mensur Suljovic, who clawed his way back into contention, Ratajski dug deep to find a nerve-settling 129 checkout in the deciding leg. The 6-5 victory was a lesson in surviving a comeback — and keeping cool when the tension could snap a dart in two.
But experience wasn’t missing from the day. At 57, Raymond van Barneveld returned to center stage, brushing aside Michael Rosenauer with a tidy 6-3 result. It was a clash between old friends, both veterans of the oche, trading blows and banter along the way. Van Barneveld’s control and steady hand reminded everyone you can never count out seasoned pros at the German Darts Grand Prix.
The opening day didn't just set the tone for a competitive weekend — it threw down a gauntlet. From homegrown heroes to fearless finishers, Munich’s tournament started loud and showed it has plenty of fireworks left to come.
