'You will see me back' - Smith vows 2027 return after Swiss Darts Trophy win

Swiss Darts Trophy: Former world champion Michael Smith plans on playing '100 per cent of the tournaments' in 2027 after opening win Michael Smith set up a clash with Jermaine Wattimena as the Swiss Darts Trophy got underway at St Jakobshalle in Basel; you can watch the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton live on Sky Sports from November 14-22 Friday 9 October 2026 23:22, UK Former world champion Michael Smith says he plans on "playing 100 per cent of the tournaments" in 2027 after an opening win at the Swiss Darts Trophy. 'Bully Boy' Smith fought back from 3-1 down to beat Rob Owen, hitting 50 per cent of his doubles in just his fourth European Tour event of the season. "I've missed this. I want to apologise and also make a promise in 2027 I will be playing 100 per cent of the tournaments. You will see me back," said the 2023 world champion. - Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results 📅 - Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱 - Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW 📺 Smith is chasing down the final spots in the European Championship race and the St Helens thrower beat Owen 6-4 to set up a meeting with Jermaine Wattimena for a place in Sunday's action. Rob Cross was Friday's standout performer for the second event in a row, averaging 105.95 in his 6-3 success against Mario Vandenbogaerde and will take on Luke Woodhouse on the back of his brilliant opening round performance at the World Grand Prix. Bradley Brooks also produced an excellent display of darting brilliance in his opening round contest against Niels Zonneveld, as the former World Youth Champion averaged over a ton in a 6-4 victory over the World Grand Prix quarter-finalist, in a game that saw both players average over a ton and hit 13 maximums between them. Brooks has now won four out of a possible four round-one games in European Tour events this year, and will take on Chris Dobey for a place in the final day of action at St Jakobshalle. Karel Sedlacek's hopes of sealing a spot at the European Championship continue into Saturday's action as he swept aside Sebastian Bialecki to stay alive in the race for place in Dortmund later this month. The Czech star averaged upwards of a ton and came back from 4-3 down to defeat the Pole 6-4, which included a brilliant 86 checkout on the bull to break the throw for the first time in the contest. Stefan Bellmont produced a brilliant display on home soil in Basel as he created history by becoming the third Swiss player to win a match at the tournament, as he beat Andrew Gilding 6-3. The 37-year-old, who featured in his tenth European Tour event in his career, pinned five legs on the spin to defeat the former UK Open champion, and has his eyes set on a place in Saturday's action. "Playing in front of your home crowd is very special and I wanted to win so much." Bellmont reflected, who managed to win only his third match on the European Tour and will face Krzysztof Ratajski in round two. "There were quite a few nerves in the early stages of the match, but thankfully I was able to raise my game. "I know I will have to play better tomorrow but for now I just want to enjoy this amazing moment." Maik Kuivenhoven ended a losing streak of almost five years in Basel, as the Dutchman beat compatriot Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 to deny van Barneveld his first European Tour victory of the year. Dave Chisnall and Tom Bissell both secured last-leg victories in their opening round contests against Alan Soutar and Joe Cullen respectively. Cristo Reyes' first win on the European Tour since May came in style, as the Spaniard beat Scotsman Cameron Menzies with an average of 98 and will face Ryan Searle next. The Swiss Darts Trophy continues with a bumper double session on Saturday, as the 16 seeded representatives enter the fray on Day Two in Basel. 2026 Swiss Darts Trophy Friday October 9 Round One Afternoon Session Bradley Brooks 6-4 Niels Zonneveld William O'Connor 6-1 Jani Haavisto Mensur Suljovic 6-3 Gyorgy Jehirszki Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki Niko Springer 6-1 Roman Wellinger Tom Bissell 6-5 Joe Cullen Cristo Reyes 6-4 Cameron Menzies Rob Cross 6-3 Mario Vandenbogaerde Evening Session Stefan Bellmont 6-3 Andrew Gilding Jeffrey de Graaf 6-4 Sietse Lap Dave Chisnall 6-5 Alan Soutar Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Bruno Stoeckli Michael Smith 6-4 Rob Owen Damon Heta 6-2 Alex Fehlmann Kevin Doets 6-3 Nick Kenny Saturday October 10 Round Two Afternoon Session (12pm) Krzysztof Ratajski vs Stefan Bellmont Wessel Nijman vs Karel Sedlacek Luke Woodhouse vs Rob Cross Martin Schindler vs Tom Bissell Ryan Searle vs Cristo Reyes Ross Smith vs William O'Connor Chris Dobey vs Bradley Brooks Jermaine Wattimena vs Michael Smith Evening Session (6pm) Josh Rock vs Dave Chisnall Stephen Bunting vs Jeffrey De Graaf James Wade vs Dirk van Duijvenbode Jonny Clayton vs Maik Kuivenhoven Michael van Gerwen vs Mensur Suljovic Luke Humphries vs Kevin Doets Gian van Veen vs Niko Springer Danny Noppert vs Damon Heta Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live. 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