“You can’t call me a numpty — these things don’t happen by accident” – Cameron Menzies defeats his hero Gary Anderson in Dortmund
Cameron Menzies produced one of the results of the opening night at the 2025 European Championship, beating his hero Gary Anderson 6-3 in Dortmund to reach round two. The 36-year-old Scot averaged 96.83 to Anderson’s 94.63, sealing victory with a superb 12-darter in the final leg.
Menzies raced into a 2-0 lead before Anderson pulled one back with a 13-darter. The Ayrshire thrower then restored his cushion with a 16-darter, only to see Anderson fire in a brilliant 164 finish. The two-time world champion then missed chances to level at 3-3, and Menzies capitalised to stretch clear. He wrapped things up in style on double 20.
“It’s a bit surreal, to be honest,” Menzies said afterwards. “Gary’s my hero. In Scotland, he’s the man. I’m buzzing to win, but honestly, Gary wasn’t Gary tonight. He wasn’t at his best, and I know how good he can be. I’m delighted to be through, but it feels a bit like a hollow one because of how much I respect him. Still, you need a bit of luck in this game, and I’ll take it. You have to.”
The result marked Menzies’ first win on the European Championship stage — a moment that clearly meant plenty. “To win here for the first time is special. It wasn’t his best game, but I took my chances, and that’s what counts in darts.”
A calmer, more composed Menzies
Anyone who’s followed Menzies’ career will know he’s long been one of the sport’s great characters — passionate, unpredictable, occasionally chaotic. In Dortmund, though, the Scot looked measured and in control.
“From the outside I might look calm,” he laughed, “but inside I’m a nervous wreck. I shake like mad up there. I’ve got a mental coach now who’s helping me with breathing and focus, which is something I’ve always struggled with. He always says, ‘slow the heart rate, take deep breaths,’ and honestly, it works.”
That new composure, Menzies says, is tied to taking better care of himself off the board too. “I’m 36 now. I’ve got to look after myself — physically and mentally. The doctor’s told me to lose a bit of weight, so I’m trying. When you’re living out of hotels, it’s easy to just get a takeaway every night, but if I want to do this properly for a living, I need to look after my body.”
Scotland’s new number two
Menzies’ progress has seen him officially overtake Peter Wright as the second-highest-ranked Scot in the PDC Order of Merit, behind only Anderson. It’s an achievement he’s proud of, but one he refuses to overplay.
“I’m buzzing to be in that position, but let’s be honest — Peter’s not just going to hand it over. He’s a fighter. Scottish darts needs him, darts needs him. For now I can say I’m number two in Scotland, but I know I’ll have to earn the right to stay there.”
Honest self-assessment
Despite the big results, Menzies remains bluntly self-critical about his own form. “The results have been good, but I don’t think I’ve played anywhere near as well as I can on stage yet. Two years ago, I was chucking 100, 105, 112 averages all the time. Lately it’s more 82s and 85s. I’m dealing with the big games better, but I want the numbers to match.”
He bristles slightly at the social media criticism he sometimes receives. “I get a bit of stick online, but you can’t call me a numpty. I’ve made quarter-finals in nearly every major this year and I’ve won a ProTour. That’s not luck. Those things don’t just happen by accident.”
As for his victory over Anderson, Menzies said it was more about timing than brilliance. “It wasn’t a top performance, but my timing was good. I hit the right shots when I needed to, and that’s what wins you matches like this.”
One technical detail he’s always aware of, he added, is the importance of his first dart. “That first one’s everything for me. If it’s below the wire, I’m chasing. If it’s high or in the treble, I can follow it. That first dart sets up the rest of the throw. It’s how I play.”
Stronger between the ears
Working with his mental coach has also changed Menzies’ attitude in pressure moments. “I used to batter myself mentally. If it wasn’t going right, I’d start moaning, calling myself names, and it just got worse. Now I’m trying to think, ‘next dart, next leg.’ It doesn’t always work, but I’m getting there.”
He smiled as he summed up his new mindset: “Make them earn it. That’s my saying. If you’re going to lose, make sure they have to play well to beat you. That keeps me positive, even when things aren’t perfect.”
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“The best experience of my life”
Despite the nerves, Menzies clearly relished the experience of playing in front of 5,000 fans in Dortmund. “The Euro Tours are amazing — Germany, Holland, Prague, Budapest — the crowds know how to party. The travel’s a nightmare sometimes, especially from Scotland, but when you walk out on that stage, it’s worth every mile. There were more people in the arena than live in my village. That’s mental.”
Menzies’ rise has been one of the quiet success stories of the past 15 months. A ProTour winner, major quarter-finalist, and now a top-32 player, he’s exceeded even his own expectations. “When I first got my Tour Card, the dream was just to make a living from darts, keep my card, earn a few quid. I never thought I’d be in the top 32. Top 20? That’d be a bonus. I’ve definitely punched above my weight, and I’m proud of that.”
