Gerwyn Price added a historic milestone to his career by clinching his tenth European Darts Grand Prix title, defeating Ross Smith 8-6 in a tightly contested final held in Sindelfingen, Germany. This triumph makes Price only the second player, after Michael van Gerwen, to amass ten or more European Tour titles, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
The match was a showcase of high‑quality darts from both competitors. Price surged ahead early, establishing a 3-0 lead that included a crucial double break.
Smith responded with equal composure, breaking twice of his own to level the scores at 3-3. The seesaw battle continued until the eleventh leg, when Price seized another break of throw as Smith faltered on his doubles, nudging the Welshman ahead 6-5.
Holding his own throw thereafter, Price sealed the win on the twelfth leg, confirming his dominance on the day. For Smith, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. It marked his fourth appearance in a Euro Tour final, yet each time he has fallen short at the last hurdle.
Despite his strong run, including a hard‑fought 7-5 quarter‑final win over Krzysztof Ratajski, the Englishman could not overcome Price’s relentless pressure. Price reflected on the encounter, saying, "Both Ross and I probably tried a bit too hard, but we’ve both had great tournaments. I was struggling to get over the winning line, and finally breaking through gives me a huge confidence boost. After twelve years on the PDC circuit, winning about one title a year isn’t spectacular, so I’m determined to raise my game.
I have a tough match against Gian van Veen in the Premier League coming up in Liverpool, and I’ll go into that with renewed belief." His comments underline the psychological lift the victory provides ahead of his next high‑profile challenge on Night 12 of the Premier League, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The road to the final was littered with impressive performances. In the semi‑finals, Price dispatched Dutch up‑and‑comer Wessel Nijman 7-4. Both players displayed superb scoring and finishing, but Price’s solitary break of throw in the eighth leg gave him a two‑leg cushion that Nijman could not recover from.
Earlier in the tournament, Price survived a nerve‑wracking 6-5 last‑leg showdown against Germany’s Martin Schindler, fending off a vociferous home crowd that was eager to see their number one triumph. Smith’s journey to the final was equally dramatic. After a solid 6-4 quarter‑final win over Nathan Aspinall, he faced Ratajski in the semi‑finals.
Ratajski, known as the "Polish Eagle," was in fine scoring form but struggled on the double ring, missing fifteen of twenty attempts at the outer ring. Smith capitalised on those missed doubles, building an early lead and maintaining enough distance to clinch the match. The tournament also produced several notable upsets and storylines. Wessel Nijman recorded his first ever victory over Michael van Gerwen, the "Green Machine," who appeared off‑color as his darts drifted wide throughout the match.
Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs and an 83 average proved more than 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 a brief controversy when Noppert accused Ratajski of tampering with his flights. Ratajski dismissed the claim, stating he was surprised by the allegation after the match and that nothing unusual had occurred. The event’s schedule featured a packed slate of matches across multiple sessions.
In the afternoon session of Round Two, Ratajski edged Mike De Decker 6-4, while Nijman dispatched Ryan Searle 6-2. The evening session saw Smith dominate Cameron Menzies 6-3 and Price overcome Dave Chisnall 6-4, among other results.
Looking ahead, the darts community turns its attention to the Premier League Darts, where Luke Humphries will defend his title. The league runs every Thursday until May, with live coverage on Sky Sports and streaming options via NOW.
Fans can also stay updated with the latest darts videos, highlights, and the "Love the Darts" podcast. Price’s tenth European title not only enriches his personal legacy but also reshapes the competitive landscape of the PDC circuit.
With his confidence soaring, he is poised to challenge for further glory, starting with his upcoming clash against Gian van Veen in Liverpool. The victory serves as a reminder that perseverance and relentless practice can propel a player from consistent contender to record‑breaking champion.