World number two Luke Humphries has pulled out of the European Championship in Germany because of gastroenteritis, with Luke Woodhouse throwing a nine-darter in the opening match of the tournament.
Humphries was coming into the tournament on the back of winning the World Grand Prix prior to reaching the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy final, which he lost to Jonny Clayton.
Kim Huybrechts came in as his replacement as the Belgian was the highest-ranked player from the 2026 European Tour rankings who had not qualified.
He took advantage of his late arrival as he produced a dominant 6-1 victory against Ryan Searle during Thursday’s first round matches in Dortmund.
Huybrechts hit six 180s and had a 67% checkout success as he set up a second round tie against Stephen Bunting, who produced a 160 checkout in a deciding leg against Danny Noppert as he won 6-5.
However, the highlight of round one came earlier on when Woodhouse produced his nine-darter in a 6-3 win against Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Woodhouse hit two 180s in the fourth leg and then finished with a 141 for his first nine-darter on television.
“It’s my first one on a big stage,” he said. “I tried to keep myself nice and calm. It was more about not letting him back into the game.”
Woodhouse will play Gian van Veen in the last 16 after the defending champion beat Andrew Gilding 6-4.
Damon Heta won a deciding leg in a 6-5 victory against James Wade to set up a match against Ross Wilson, who made hard work of a 6-4 win against Karel Sedlacek.
Gerwyn Price looked set for a tough encounter against Rob Cross but emerged a 6-2 winner and will play Cameron Menzies, who beat Niels Zonneveld 6-3, in the last 16.
World number one and PDC world champion Luke Littler will start his challenge on Friday with a match against William O’Connor.