Gerwyn Price added a historic milestone to his career by clinching his tenth European Darts Grand Prix crown, defeating Ross Smith 8-6 in the final held in Sindelfingen, Germany. This triumph makes Price only the second player, after Michael van Gerwen, to amass double‑digit European titles, cementing his status among the sport’s elite. The German showdown was a tightly contested affair from the outset. Price surged ahead early, establishing a 3-0 lead thanks to a swift double‑break.
Smith, however, fought back fiercely, breaking back twice of his own to level the match at 3-3. The pendulum swung back and forth, with both competitors exchanging breaks and holding their own throws with precision.
The pivotal moment arrived in the eleventh leg. Price seized another break of throw as Smith faltered on a crucial double, nudging the score to 6-5 in Price’s favour. From there, the Welshman maintained his composure, holding his own throws and ultimately sealing the win on the twelfth double.
The victory not only marked Price’s tenth European title but also positioned him alongside van Gerwen as the only players to reach that landmark. For Smith, the loss was another painful addition to his Euro Tour résumé.
The Englishman has now reached four Euro Tour finals, yet the trophy has eluded him each time. Despite the disappointment, his performance throughout the tournament demonstrated resilience and a high level of skill, suggesting that future success is within reach. Price reflected on the match, acknowledging both players’ intensity: “I think Ross and I probably both tried a bit too hard in that game.
We’ve both had great tournaments, and I was just struggling to get over the winning line. Thankfully I won this one, and it gives me confidence moving forward.” He added that after twelve years on the PDC circuit, averaging roughly one European title per year is a modest benchmark, but one he intends to surpass.
“I have a tough game against Gian van Veen next in Liverpool on Premier League night 12, but I can go there now full of confidence and build on this.” Price’s path to the final was marked by a solid 7-4 semi‑final victory over Dutch up‑and‑comer Wessel Nijman. Both players displayed top‑flight darts, with high scoring and clinical finishing. The decisive break came in the eighth leg, giving Price a two‑leg cushion that Nijman could not overcome. Earlier in the tournament, Price survived a nerve‑wracking 6-5 last‑leg showdown against Germany’s Martin Schindler, impressing the partisan crowd with his composure under pressure.
Schindler, the home favourite, had pushed Price to the brink, but the Welshman rallied to claim the decisive double on the fifth leg of the final set. On the other side of the draw, Smith earned his place in the final by edging past Krzysztof Ratajski 7-5.
Ratajski’s scoring was strong, but his doubles faltered dramatically, missing fifteen of twenty attempts at the outer ring. This allowed Smith to build an early lead and keep the Polish Eagle at bay. In the quarter‑finals, Smith had already dispatched Nathan Aspinall 6-4, using his own steady doubles to break Aspinall’s throw and secure the win.
Ratajski, meanwhile, survived a tense 6-5 quarter‑final victory over Danny Noppert, surviving a leg‑decider that saw him maintain his nerve despite accusations from Noppert that Ratajski was “clicking his flights” to gain an advantage. Ratajski denied any wrongdoing, attributing his focus to the heat of competition. A notable upset in the early rounds saw Nijman claim his first career win over Michael van Gerwen, the “Green Machine,” who struggled to find his rhythm as his darts consistently missed target. Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs, combined with an impressive 83 average, proved enough to topple the Dutch heavyweight.
The tournament schedule was packed with action across multiple sessions. In the afternoon session on Saturday, April 18, Krzysztof Ratajski beat Mike De Decker 6‑4, while Wessel Nijman dispatched Ryan Searle 6‑2. The evening session saw Ross Smith dominate Cameron Menzies 6‑3, and Gerwyn Price overcome Dave Chisnall 6‑4. Other notable results included Michael van Gerwen’s 6‑2 win over Gian van Veen and a 6‑5 victory for Martin Schindler over Martin Unterbuchner.
The event also featured a series of tightly contested matches in both the afternoon and evening sessions, with players such as Joe Cullen, Danny Noppert, James Wade, and Jonny Clayton all delivering high‑quality darts. The final scoreboard highlighted the intensity of the competition: Ross Smith 6‑8 Gerwyn Price.
Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts continues to build momentum. Luke Humphries will defend his title, with matches broadcast every Thursday on Sky Sports until May. Fans can also stream the action via NOW, and stay updated with the latest darts videos, highlights, and the "Love the Darts" podcast for deeper insights into the sport. Price’s historic win not only enriches his personal legacy but also adds a compelling narrative to the ongoing rivalry and excitement that defines professional darts.
As he prepares for his next challenge against Gian van Veen in Liverpool, the confidence gained from this tenth European title could prove decisive in the battles to come.