Gerwyn Price added a historic milestone to his career by clinching his tenth European Darts Grand Prix crown, defeating Ross Smith 8-6 in a tightly contested final in Sindelfingen, Germany. This triumph makes Price only the second player in the sport’s modern era to amass ten or more European Tour titles, joining Michael van Gerwen in that exclusive club. The win was a bittersweet moment for Smith, who reached his fourth Euro Tour final only to fall short once again.
The match was a seesaw battle, with Price racing to an early 3-0 lead thanks to a double break. Smith answered swiftly, breaking back twice to level the score at 3-3. The pendulum swung again in the eleventh leg when Price seized another break of throw, capitalising on Smith’s missed doubles to move ahead 6-5.
That single leg proved decisive; Price held his own throw for the remaining legs and sealed the victory on the twelfth double, securing his place among the game’s elite. Price described the achievement as a confidence‑boosting breakthrough.
"I think Ross and I probably tried a bit too hard in that game," he admitted, noting that both players had enjoyed strong tournaments leading up to the final. "I was struggling to get over the winning line, but thankfully I got it today. It gives me a lot of belief going forward. I've been on the PDC circuit for about twelve years, so averaging a title a year isn’t terrible, but I want to improve on that.
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 win." The road to the final was littered with impressive performances from both finalists. Price’s semi‑final saw him dominate Dutch up‑and‑comer Wessel Nijman 7-4, a match characterised by high‑scoring visits and precise finishing. The pivotal moment arrived in the eighth leg when Price secured the only break of throw, establishing a two‑leg cushion that Nijman could not recover from.
Earlier in the tournament, Price survived a nail‑biting 6-5 last‑leg thriller against Germany’s Martin Schindler, edging it on the fifth double after both players exchanged breaks and held their own throws under intense crowd pressure. Smith’s path to the final was equally dramatic.
He dispatched Krzysztof Ratajski 7-5 in the semi‑finals, despite Ratajski’s heavy scoring. The Polish Eagle’s finishing faltered dramatically, missing fifteen of twenty attempts at the outer ring, which allowed Smith to build an early lead and keep Ratajski at bay. In the quarter‑finals, Smith overcame Nathan Aspinall 6-4, a match that lacked the fireworks many expected but showcased Smith’s superior doubling, enabling him to break Aspinall’s throw and clinch the decisive double two. The tournament also delivered several noteworthy upsets and storylines.
In the early rounds, Nijman earned his first ever victory over Michael van Gerwen, the four‑time World Champion, who struggled with consistency as his darts frequently missed their marks. Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs produced an 83 average that proved sufficient to topple the Dutch heavyweight. Other highlights included Krzysztof Ratajski’s tense 6-5 quarter‑final win over Danny Noppert, a match that sparked controversy when Noppert accused Ratajski of tampering with his flight.
Ratajski dismissed the claim, explaining that he was surprised by the accusation himself and that it had no impact on his performance. The event’s schedule was packed with high‑profile match‑ups across both afternoon and evening sessions. Notable results from the afternoon session featured Ratajski’s 6-4 victory over Mike De Decker, Wattimena’s 6-3 win over Kevin Doets, and Nijman’s 6-2 triumph over Ryan Searle. The evening session saw Smith’s 6-3 win over Cameron Menzies, Price’s 6-4 defeat of Dave Chisnall, and a dominant 6-1 showing from Aspinall against Jeffrey de Zwaan.
Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts continues to build momentum, with Luke Humphries defending his title and the league’s fixtures broadcast live each Thursday on Sky Sports until May. Fans can also stream the action via NOW, alongside a range of other top‑sport events. In summary, Gerwyn Price’s tenth European Tour title not only cements his status as one of darts’ modern greats but also provides a springboard for the upcoming Premier League fixtures.
His composure in tight moments, combined with a renewed sense of confidence, suggests he will be a formidable contender as the season progresses. Meanwhile, Ross Smith’s resilience and ability to reach another final underscore his growing reputation on the Euro Tour, even if the ultimate prize remained just out of reach this time.