NOPPERT ‘ASHAMED’ BUT EYES MAIDEN EURO TOUR TITLE
14/03/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
DANNY NOPPERT admitted he felt “ashamed” of his performance despite progressing in his bid for a maiden European Tour title.
‘The Freeze’ averaged 85.58 to defeat Ricky Evans 6-1 in a scrappy affair to enter the third round of the European Darts Trophy.
World No.11 Noppert has enjoyed a successful career, winning the UK Open as well as five Players Championship titles.
With both Luke Littler and Luke Humphries withdrawing from the tournament in Göttingen, Germany, Noppert will be hoping to capitalise on their absence and break new ground.
He said: “I am not looking at that yet. There is still a good schedule left. It is nice that they are not here.
“The opportunity for me is a little bit higher. But how I performed now, I feel ashamed.”
Elsewhere, Jermaine Wattimena edged past home favourite Lukas Wenig 6-5, while Ross Smith beat Dave Chisnall 6-4 in a thrilling contest.
Former European champ Smith hailed close friend Chisnall as one of the greatest players of all time and expressed hope that he can return to his best form.
He added: “I know Chizzy has been struggling of late, but I always know what he can do.
“He can just pull it out of the bag. When he hit that 121 checkout and I was sitting on a double, that actually hurt.
“I was thinking, oh here we go. Then he got a bit of momentum. He is one of the greatest and best players in the world.
“It is a tough game, but I am glad to get through it. Before I beat him [eight times in a row], he probably did me 12 times on the spin.
“So, I have probably a way to go till I even catch up with him.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
