Luke Littler cruised through to the last 16 of the Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy with a whitewash win over Dylan Slevin on Saturday, as Mario Vandenbogaerde thrived on home soil.
Day Two of the year’s tenth European Tour event saw 16 second round matches take place on an epic day of action at the Antwerp Xpo, as Littler returned to Belgium in imperious fashion.
The World Champion hit 100% of his doubles and averaged over 101 to record the first 6-0 win of the weekend over Slevin.
Littler, who won the Lecot Belgian Darts Open in Wieze earlier this year, has his sights on a second European Tour title of the year.
“When I came up on stage, it just felt like home,” said Littler, who will play Ryan Searle in the Last 16.
“I love coming here. I'm glad to play well tonight and now I can focus on tomorrow.
“I want to win here, but it’s only my first game.
“Six out of six on the doubles, I don’t usually get that, so I'm very happy.”
Mario Vandenbogaerde was the only Belgian player to progress on Saturday, as he ran out 6-3 victor over Jonny Clayton. He will face Danny Noppert in his first ever European Tour finals day.
“Can you wake me up? I think I'm living in a dream,” said Vandenbogaerde, “yesterday Michael [Smith], now Jonny.
“I'm 52, I go to the oche and I tell myself to enjoy it.
“I hope tomorrow I can live another dream!”
Stephen Bunting also impressed in Antwerp, averaging over 107 in his mesmerising 6-1 rout of Joe Cullen. The Bullet will face Josh Rock in the last 16 in a mouth-watering tie.
Leon Weber caused a huge upset when he defeated reigning Flanders Darts Trophy holder Dave Chisnall 6-4, earning the 22-year-old German a last 16 tie against James Wade.
Wade eased past Antwerp-born Kim Huybrechts 6-3, and Martin Schindler eliminated Mike De Decker 6-3 despite a 170 checkout from the Belgian number one.
Gian van Veen struck another upset, defeating his idol and number two seed Michael van Gerwen 6-3, aided by four 180s.
World Cup of Darts winners Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney both edged through to finals day with 6-5 wins over Karel Sedlacek and Ross Smith respectively, as both Northern Irishmen survived two match darts.
Mensur Suljovic hit seven maximums and 60% of his doubles during a high-quality affair against Rob Cross, with the Austrian icon triumphing 6-5 after a last-leg decider.
Luke Woodhouse cruised 6-1 past a below-par Peter Wright – as the Scot averaged under 75 – and Woodhouse will face Suljovic in the last 16.
Seeds continued to topple as Krzysztof Ratajski, who entered the tournament from the reserve list, averaged over 98 to overcome Chris Dobey 6-3.
Danny Noppert – like Littler – hit 100% of his doubles as he defeated fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4, whilst Ryan Searle came back from 4-1 down to beat Dutch icon Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 in a last-leg decider.
Damon Heta comfortably saw past Christian Kist 6-3, setting up a last 16 tie with Ryan Joyce, who progressed to finals day with a Bye after Gerwyn Price pulled out with an infected hand.
Live coverage from the Flanders Darts Trophy continues tomorrow afternoon from 1200 BST (1300 CEST), and will be streamed on DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and through the DAZN Darts channel on Pluto TV.
Coverage will also be shown on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers' worldwide.
PDCTV subscription options include Event Pass and Day Pass packages, as well as Annual and Monthly Subscriptions.
Click here for live scores, match stats & results.
2025 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy
Saturday August 30
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Mensur Suljovic 6-5 Rob Cross
Luke Woodhouse 6-1 Peter Wright
Leon Weber 6-4 Dave Chisnall
Josh Rock 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Damon Heta 6-3 Christian Kist
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Chris Dobey
Danny Noppert 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
James Wade 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
Ryan Searle 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Daryl Gurney 6-5 Ross Smith
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Joe Cullen
Luke Littler 6-0 Dylan Slevin
Gian van Veen 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Martin Schindler 6-3 Mike De Decker
Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-3 Jonny Clayton
Sunday August 31
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Third Round
Mensur Suljovic v Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting v Josh Rock
James Wade v Leon Weber
Gian van Veen v Martin Schindler
Krzysztof Ratajski v Daryl Gurney
Mario Vandenbogaerde v Daryl Gurney
Damon Heta v Ryan Joyce
Luke Littler v Ryan Searle
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
Sunday’s games played in Draw Bracket order
Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from the Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy this weekend due to an infected hand. As Price withdrew after the tournament had begun, Ryan Joyce will receive a Bye straight into Round Three.