Krzysztof Ratajski defeated Jermaine Wattimena 8-6 in a nail-biting closing 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 say 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 am actually completely happy. I do not know what to say,” the 2021 Matchplay semi-finalist stated. “It was an in depth sport. Jermaine performed very effectively, and I am actually completely happy that I survived it.
“I did not count on it. I might have been proud of the final eight or final 4, so to win the title is greater than I anticipated.
“I’ll do my finest in Blackpool. I hope I’ll play effectively and hopefully I can win that first match. We’ll see.”
![Krzysztof Ratajski celebrates victory in Leverkusen [Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe]](https://e0.365dm.com/26/07/768x432/skysports-krzysztof-ratajski_7296182.jpg?20260712230959)
Ratajski got here from 6-4 right down to defeat Jermain Wattimena[Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe]
The victory ensured Ratajski maintained his flawless file in ProTour finals, and there was achievement in defeat for Wattimena, who reached his first semi-final and closing on the circuit.
“I am very proud of that,” the Dutchman stated. “It was a magic day.
“I missed some possibilities, however he missed some possibilities as effectively, so I feel it is a honest end result. He was the higher participant so effectively achieved 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 closing 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
Last
Krzysztof Ratajski 8-6 Jermaine Wattimena
What’s taking place on Sky Sports activities subsequent?
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 subject 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 time’s motion can even characteristic the fifth staging of the Betfred Girls’s World Matchplay, as eight of the most important names within the ladies’s sport battle it out for the title at present 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.
