Gerwyn Price etched his name in darts history by becoming only the second player ever to amass double‑digit European titles, clinching his tenth European Darts Grand Prix crown with an 8‑6 win over Ross Smith in Sindelfingen, Germany. This triumph places Price alongside Michael van Gerwen as the only competitors to have reached the ten‑title milestone on the Euro Tour, underscoring his growing legacy in the sport.
The final was a tightly contested affair, with both men exchanging breaks of throw and keeping the scoreline within reach throughout. Price surged ahead early, establishing a 3‑0 lead thanks to a double break. Smith, however, responded with two successive breaks of his own, leveling the match at 3‑3 and demonstrating the resilience that has carried him to his fourth Euro Tour final. The turning point arrived in the 11th leg when Price seized another break of throw, capitalising on a missed double from Smith to move ahead 6‑5.
From that moment, the Welshman held his nerve, defending his own throw and ultimately sealing the victory on double 12. For Price, the win is more than just another trophy; it is a confidence‑boosting milestone as he prepares for his upcoming Premier League clash against Gian van Veen in Liverpool on Night 12. "I think Ross and I probably tried a bit too hard in that game," Price reflected after the match. "We've both had great tournaments, but I was struggling to get over the line.
Thankfully I won this one and it gives me a bit of confidence moving forward. I've been on the PDC circuit for about 12 years, so averaging one title a year isn’t spectacular, but it’s a step in the right direction. I have a tough game against Gian van Veen next, but now I can go into it full of confidence and build on this momentum." Price’s path to the final was marked by a dominant 7‑4 semi‑final victory over Wessel Nijman.
Both players displayed high‑quality darts, trading heavy scoring bursts and precise doubles. The decisive moment came in the eighth leg when Price secured the only break of throw of the encounter, creating a two‑leg cushion that Nijman could not overturn. Earlier in the tournament, Price also survived a nerve‑wracking 6‑5 last‑leg thriller against Martin Schindall, holding his own against a partisan German crowd that was eager to see their home favourite succeed. After taking three consecutive legs, Price repelled Schindall’s late‑stage surge and clinched the match on double 5.
Smith’s journey to the final was equally impressive. He booked his place with a gritty 7‑5 semi‑final win over Krzysztof Ratajski. While Ratajski was scoring heavily, his double conversion faltered dramatically—missing 15 of 20 attempts at the outer ring—allowing Smith to build an early lead and maintain a comfortable margin to the finish. In the quarter‑finals, Smith dispatched Nathan Aspinall 6‑4, a match that lacked the fireworks many had anticipated but saw Smith’s steady doubling break Aspinall’s throw and secure the win on double 2.
Meanwhile, Ratajski edged past Danny Noppert 6‑5 in a tense leg‑decider, despite a post‑match controversy where Noppert accused Ratajski of tampering with his flights. Ratajski denied any wrongdoing, attributing the incident to a misunderstanding. The tournament also featured a notable upset: Wessel Nijman recorded his first ever victory over Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch star’s performance slipping as several darts strayed from the board. Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs, combined with an 83 average, proved sufficient to overcome the former world champion.
The event’s schedule was packed with high‑stakes matches across two sessions each day. On Saturday, April 18, the afternoon session saw Krzysztof Ratajski defeat Mike De Decker 6‑4, while Jermaine Wattimena, Kevin Doets, and others advanced through their respective ties. The evening session featured Ross Smith’s 6‑3 win over Cameron Menzies, Gerwyn Price’s 6‑4 victory over Dave Chisnall, and a series of other results that set the stage for the later rounds.
As the Premier League darts season continues, fans will be watching to see whether Price can translate his recent European success into the league format. Defending champion Luke Humphries is set to retain his title, with matches broadcast every Thursday on Sky Sports through May. Viewers can also stream the action via NOW, alongside a host of other top‑flight sporting events. In summary, Gerwyn Price’s tenth European title not only cements his status among the elite of the Euro Tour but also provides a vital boost ahead of his Premier League fixtures.
Ross Smith, despite the disappointment of a second final loss, demonstrated resilience and skill that suggest he will remain a formidable contender in future events. The European Darts Grand Prix delivered a blend of drama, upsets, and high‑quality play, reinforcing the tournament’s reputation as a cornerstone of the professional darts calendar.