The European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen is back, and true to the Euro Tour's reputation for drama, the opening session delivered a headline-grabbing shocker. Northern Ireland's Mickey Mansell pulled off a stunning victory, sending former World Champion Rob Cross crashing out early in a major upset.

Cross, a multiple PDC major winner, was one of the biggest names to fall as the tournament kicked off at the Glaspalast Arena. The result is a perfect reminder of the razor-thin margins and intense pressure at the elite level of darts, where any player can triumph on their day.

Mansell wasn't the only one causing a stir. In his very first Euro Tour appearance, Latvia's Valters Melderis produced a giant-killing act of his own, edging out the in-form Czech star Karel Sedlacek in a dramatic last-leg decider. Melderis now faces a monumental task against Premier League leader Jonny Clayton in the next round.

Elsewhere, the red-hot Wessel Nijman continued his phenomenal 2026 season. The Dutch prodigy, who already has three Players Championship titles and a Euro Tour win this year, dispatched experienced campaigner Ian White. His clinical finishing sets up a mouth-watering Saturday clash with the powerful Ryan Searle, a match that promises heavy scoring and high tension.

The session also saw the end of Niels Zonneveld's impressive recent run, as the in-form Dutchman was halted by a strong performance from Ireland's Keane Barry. With top seeds tumbling and new names emerging, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend of tungsten action, where composure at the oche is just as crucial as the perfect throw.