Gerwyn Price added another 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 in the history of the PDC European Tour to amass double‑digit titles, joining Michael van Gerwen as the only other competitor to reach the ten‑title mark. The win was a landmark achievement for Price, who has now joined an elite group of darts professionals with ten or more European Tour victories. While the Welshman celebrated his historic success, Smith experienced the disappointment of a fourth Euro Tour final loss, a pattern that has begun to emerge in his recent tournament record.
The final was tightly contested from the outset. Price surged ahead with a rapid 3‑0 lead, capitalising on a double break that put him in a commanding position.
Smith, however, responded with two of his own breaks of throw, leveling the match at 3‑3 and demonstrating that the contest would be decided by fine margins. The pivotal moment arrived in the eleventh leg when Price seized another break, capitalising on a missed double by Smith to move ahead 6‑5. From there, the Welshman held his own throw comfortably, ultimately sealing the victory on the twelfth double.
Price reflected on the significance of the win, noting that he and Smith may have over‑exerted themselves during the match. "Both of us tried a bit too hard," he said. "We've each had great tournaments, but I was struggling to get over the winning line. Thankfully I got it this time, and it gives me confidence moving forward.
I've been on the PDC circuit for about twelve years, so averaging a title a year isn’t spectacular, but it does keep me motivated. My next challenge is Gian van Veen in Liverpool on Night 12 of the Premier League – I’ll go in with confidence and try to build on this momentum." The road to the final saw Price dispatch Wessel Nijman 7‑4 in a semi‑final that showcased high‑quality darts from both players. The match featured numerous high‑scoring visits and precise finishing, with the decisive break of throw occurring in the eighth leg, giving Price a two‑leg cushion that Nijman could not overcome.
Earlier in the tournament, Price survived a nail‑biting 6‑5 last‑leg showdown against German favourite Martin Schindler. The partisan crowd in Sindelfingen rallied behind Schindler, but Price’s composure under pressure allowed him to claim the decisive double on the fifth leg of the final set, securing a hard‑earned victory. On the other side of the bracket, Smith earned his place in the final by beating Krzysztof Ratajski 7‑5.
Ratajski, known as the "Polish Eagle," struggled with his doubles, missing fifteen of twenty attempts at the outer ring, which enabled Smith to build an early lead and maintain a slight edge to the finish. In the quarter‑finals, Smith had already shown his mettle by overcoming Nathan Aspinall 6‑4, a match in which Aspinall failed to find his usual high scoring rhythm, while Smith’s steady finishing allowed him to break and hold to claim the win.
Ratajski’s own quarter‑final was a tense 6‑5 victory over Danny Noppert, decided by a final‑leg decider. After the match, Noppert expressed frustration, suggesting that Ratajski might have been adjusting his flights during the throw, a claim the Polish player dismissed, stating he was simply surprised by the post‑match commentary and that it had no impact on his performance. A notable upset in the tournament came when Wessel Nijman recorded his first ever win over Michael van Gerwen, the "Green Machine," who struggled to find his rhythm as darts frequently strayed from the intended targets. Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs, combined with an impressive 83 average, were enough to outplay the Dutch veteran.
The event featured a packed schedule of matches across multiple sessions. In the afternoon session of Round Two on Saturday, April 18, Krzysztof Ratajski defeated Mike De Decker 6‑4, while Jermaine Wattimena beat Kevin Doets 6‑3, and Wessel Nijman overcame Ryan Searle 6‑2. Later that evening, Ross Smith dispatched Cameron Menzies 6‑3, and Gerwyn Price edged Dave Chisnall 6‑4.
The day concluded with a series of high‑stakes encounters, including a 6‑5 win for Michael van Gerwen over Michael Unterbuchner and a 6‑5 victory for Martin Schindler against Damon Heta. The tournament’s extensive match list continued into the evening sessions, featuring notable results such as Krzysztof Ratajski’s 6‑5 win over Danny Noppert, Nathan Aspinall’s 4‑6 loss to Ross Smith, and Michael van Gerwen’s 2‑6 defeat at the hands of Wessel Nijman. The final bracket culminated in the showdown between Price and Smith, which ended with Price’s 8‑6 triumph. Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts season remains in full swing, with Luke Humphries defending his title.
Fans can follow the weekly Thursday fixtures on Sky Sports until the competition concludes in May. The league’s schedule, live streaming options via NOW, and additional darts content—including highlight reels and the "Love the Darts" podcast—provide ample opportunities for enthusiasts to stay engaged with the sport. Price’s historic victory not only cements his status among the greats of European Tour darts but also serves as a confidence boost as he prepares for the upcoming Premier League clash against Gian van Veen. With his recent form and the mental edge gained from this win, the Welshman will look to translate his European success onto the league stage, aiming to add another prestigious title to his growing résumé.