Bunting European Championship place: Huybrechts misses out

Stephen Bunting has secured his European Championship place after beating Cameron Menzies 6–2 in Maastricht, with Kim Huybrechts missing out on the qualifying positions.

The PDC confirmed the change after Saturday’s second-round match at the Dutch Darts Championship, the final European Tour event of the season.

Bunting European Championship place secured

Bunting’s victory lifted him to 31st on £38,000, according to Dartsnews. Defeats for Sebastian Bialecki and Michael Smith removed further threats to his position after Friday’s results had pushed him outside the provisional places.

Smith lost 6–1 to Nathan Aspinall, who now faces Bunting in Sunday’s last 16. The immediate prize is a quarter-final place in Maastricht, with Bunting able to approach the match knowing his Dortmund qualification is secure.

Huybrechts had already lost 6–5 to Jimmy van Schie on Friday, leaving him unable to add to his total at the final qualifying event.

The complete European Championship field and seedings will be settled after Sunday’s tournament concludes. The top 32 on the European Tour Order of Merit qualify.

Sunday’s afternoon session begins at noon BST, with Bunting against Aspinall scheduled last. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final follow from 6pm.

See our Dutch Darts Championship last-16 guide for the running order and viewing details, and our Saturday report for the exits of Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton.

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