Gerwyn Price added another milestone to his career by becoming only the second player ever to amass ten European Tour titles. He clinched the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, Germany, with an 8-6 win over England's Ross Smith, a triumph that not only gave him his tenth European trophy but also placed him level with Michael van Gerwen as the only competitors to have reached double‑digit European victories. The final was a tightly contested affair, with both athletes displaying high‑quality scoring and relentless pressure. Price surged ahead early, taking a 3-0 lead thanks to a double break that set the tone.
Smith, however, responded with two of his own breaks, pulling the score level at 3-3 and demonstrating that the match could swing either way. The pivotal moment arrived in the eleventh leg when Price seized another break of throw, capitalising on a missed double from Smith to move ahead 6-5. From there, the Welshman held his own throw comfortably, closing out the match on double twelve and sealing his historic tenth European title. For Smith, the loss was another disappointment in what has become a pattern of near‑misses on the Euro Tour.
The Englishman has now reached four Euro Tour finals, yet each time he has fallen short at the final hurdle. Despite the defeat, his performance throughout the tournament was commendable, particularly his ability to break Price’s throw early and keep the contest within reach.
Price reflected on the win in a post‑match interview, acknowledging the fine margins that defined the encounter. "I think Ross and I probably tried a bit too hard at times," he said. "Both of us have had great weeks, but I was struggling to get over the line.
Thankfully I managed to do it this time, and it gives me a boost of confidence moving forward. I've been on the PDC circuit for about 12 years, so averaging one European title a year isn’t terrible, but I want to push that number higher. My next challenge is Gian van Veen in the Premier League in Liverpool, and I’ll go into that match feeling confident after today’s victory." The road to the final saw Price display his trademark resilience.
In the semi‑finals he overcame Dutch up‑and‑comer Wessel Nijman 7-4, a match characterised by strong holding of throw from both sides and a crucial break in the eighth leg that gave Price a two‑leg cushion he never relinquished. Earlier in the tournament, Price survived a nerve‑wracking 6-5 last‑leg thriller against Germany’s Martin Schindler, where the home crowd roared with each of his doubles. After dropping three legs in a row, Price rallied, hitting decisive doubles to clinch the win on double five.
Smith’s journey to the final was equally dramatic. He secured a 7-5 semi‑final victory over Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, who, despite scoring heavily, missed 15 of 20 attempts at the outer ring, allowing Smith to build an early lead and keep the Polish Eagle at bay. In the quarter‑finals, Smith dispatched Nathan Aspinall 6-4, a match that lacked the fireworks many expected but nonetheless highlighted Smith’s steady finishing.
Meanwhile, Ratajski edged past Danny Noppert 6-5 in a tense decider, a match that sparked a minor controversy when Noppert accused Ratajski of fiddling with his flights. Ratajski denied any wrongdoing, insisting the incident was a misunderstanding. Other notable moments from the event included Nijman’s first‑ever victory over Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch superstar’s performance slipping as a series of errant darts cost him the match. Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs, combined with an 83 average, proved enough to topple the former world champion.
The tournament schedule featured a packed slate of matches across two sessions each day, with players such as Jermaine Wattimena, Kevin Doets, Gary Anderson, and Stephen Bunting all taking part. The evening sessions saw high‑profile clashes like Ross Smith versus Cameron Menzies and Gerwyn Price against Dave Chisnall, while the afternoon draws included encounters such as Joe Cullen versus Krzysztof Ratajski and James Wade versus Nathan Aspinall. Looking ahead, Price’s next test will be on Night 12 of the Premier League Darts in Liverpool, where he will face the rising Dutch talent Gian van Veen. The Premier League, broadcast live on Sky Sports, continues to draw a global audience, and fans can also stream the action through NOW.
The league’s current table and schedule are regularly updated, and the competition promises further thrilling moments as players vie for the coveted title. In addition to the live coverage, darts enthusiasts can catch the latest highlights, watch in‑depth analyses, and tune into the "Love the Darts" podcast for behind‑the‑scenes insights. As the season progresses, the question on everyone’s mind remains: who will dethrone defending champion Luke Humphries and claim the Premier League crown? The answer will unfold over the coming weeks, with each Thursday’s showdown bringing new drama, skill, and excitement to the sport.