Viktor Tingstrom stunned reigning champion Stephen Bunting on the opening night of the Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters.
Day One of the year’s third World Series of Darts event saw the eight PDC superstars go head-to-head against their Nordic and Baltic counterparts at the Forum Copenhagen, as Tingstrom stole the headlines.
The Swedish star survived seven match darts in accounting for Bunting, becoming only the third Nordic and Baltic representative to triumph in this event since its inception in 2021.
“I’ve had some good memories in darts, but I don’t think anything can beat this at the moment,” revealed the 25-year-old.
“To be the third Nordic & Baltic player ever through in this tournament, happy days.
“I just came here trying to enjoy it. I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I don’t have any pressure on me.”
Tingstrom’s reward is a showdown against 2021 champion Michael van Gerwen, who ran out a resounding 6-2 winner against two-time World Cup quarter-finalist Oskar Lukasiak in his last 16 clash.
Humphries was Friday’s outstanding performer, however, averaging 109.92 and converting six of his nine attempts at double to win through a high-quality affair against an in-form Jeffrey de Graaf.
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“I felt good there. The last four to five weeks I’ve felt a lot more comfortable in my throw and I feel like I can play this level a lot more often,” insisted the world number two.
“It just gives you confidence. I’ve had so many 100+ averages, so many good performances, and my doubles have been better.”
Humphries’ next assignment will pit him against European Champion Gian van Veen, who conjured up a majestic 167 outshot to wrap up a 6-3 win against four-time World Championship qualifier Daniel Larsson.
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Luke Littler puts on a show at the Nordic Darts Masters by taking out 129 with a bullseye after busting
Luke Littler – eyeing a maiden Nordic Darts Masters crown in the Danish capital – accounted for Norway’s number one Cor Dekker in a 6-1 clash, producing a stylish 129 checkout along the way.
“It is good to see James, it is good to see him get an opportunity from how well he’s been doing,” Littler said.
“Hopefully we have another good game tomorrow. It’s only just a week ago since you won a World League Premier League final.
“I have definitely had probably one of the best weeks off, just relaxing, chilling, no darts. But I knew from today, this morning, I knew I was back to work.”
He will face James Wade who marked his first World Series of Darts appearance since 2022 with a comprehensive victory at the expense of Madars Razma.
Welsh duo Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price will also go head-to-head on Finals Day, following contrasting victories against Andreas Harrysson and Darius Labanauskas respectively.
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Highlights of the semi-final clash on Premier League finals night between Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price
Clayton opened his title bid with a six-leg demolition of the enigmatic Harrysson, averaging 104.86 and pinning 75 per cent of his attempts at double during an all-action display.
Price also averaged north of 104 in a 6-5 win over Labanauskas, in a contest featuring a staggering six ton-plus checkouts.
Yet, despite converting 120, 128 and 156 checkouts, Price was forced to survive a match dart at double 16 in the decider, with Labanauskas also landing a hat-trick of ton-plus finishes in defeat.
The Nordic Darts Masters concludes on Saturday, as the Forum Copenhagen plays host to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a blockbuster evening session.
2026 Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters
Friday June 5
Round One
Jonny Clayton 6-0 Andreas Harrysson
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Darius Labanauskas
Viktor Tingstrom 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Oskar Lukasiak
James Wade 6-1 Madars Razma
Luke Littler 6-2 Cor Dekker
Luke Humphries 6-3 Jeffrey de Graaf
Gian van Veen 6-3 Daniel Larsson
Saturday June 6 (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen vs Viktor Tingstrom
Gerwyn Price vs Jonny Clayton
Luke Littler vs James Wade
Gian van Veen vs Luke Humphries
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Van Gerwen/Tingstrom vs Price/Clayton
Littler/Wade vs Van Veen/Humphries
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs
What’s happening on Sky Sports next?
The 2026 World Cup of Darts will be held at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 11-14, as 40 nations compete for the coveted title in the unique pairs event.
The top four ranked nations – based on the lowest cumulative PDC ranking of the two competing players – are seeded and will enter at the last 16 stage.
This includes top seeds England, four-time winners Netherlands, reigning champions Northern Ireland and two-time champions Scotland.
The remaining 36 nations have been split into 12 groups of three for the round-robin phase – including 12 seeded nations – from which each group winner will advance.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch Finals Night next Thursday on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
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