Gerwyn Price etched his name into darts history by becoming only the second player ever to amass double‑digit European titles, clinching his tenth European Darts Grand Prix trophy 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 scoreboard razor‑thin. Price surged ahead early, building a 3‑0 lead that included a crucial double break.
Smith, however, fought back with two successive breaks of his own, leveling the match at 3‑3 and demonstrating why he has now appeared in four Euro Tour finals this season, despite falling short each time. The decisive turning point arrived in the eleventh leg. Price seized another break when Smith faltered on his doubles, nudging the score to 6‑5 in the Welshman’s favour.
From there, Price held his own throw with composure, sealing the match on double twelve and adding another European title to his résumé. In the aftermath, Price reflected on the significance of the win.
"Both Ross and I probably tried a little too hard at times," he admitted, noting that the intensity of the match had tested both players. He praised his own consistency over the past twelve years on the PDC circuit, acknowledging that an average of one title per year is modest for a player of his calibre, but emphasizing that this victory would boost his confidence heading into the next challenge – a Premier League encounter with Gian van Veen in Liverpool on Thursday, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The tournament also featured a number of other noteworthy performances. In the semi‑finals, Price dispatched Wessel Nijman 7‑4 after a tactical battle where both competitors displayed high‑scoring power and surgical precision on the doubles. The pivotal eighth leg saw Price break Nijman's throw, creating a two‑leg cushion that proved insurmountable for the Dutch up‑and‑comer. Meanwhile, Smith earned his place in the final by edging past Krzysztof Ratajski 7‑5.
Ratajski, often referred to as the "Polish Eagle," struggled with his finishing, missing fifteen of twenty attempts at the outer ring, which allowed Smith to establish an early lead and maintain a comfortable margin to the finish line. Earlier in the tournament, Smith had produced a solid 6‑4 victory over Nathan Aspinall in the quarter‑finals.
While Aspinall never found his rhythm, Smith’s steady doubling enabled him to break and hold at crucial moments, ultimately securing the win on double two. Ratajski’s own quarter‑final was a nail‑biting 6‑5 triumph over Danny Noppert, decided by a final leg decider.
Post‑match, Noppert expressed frustration, suggesting that Ratajski might have been adjusting his flights while waiting to throw. Ratajski dismissed the claim, noting he was surprised by the accusation and that it had no impact on his performance.
In a surprising upset, Nijman recorded his first ever victory over Michael van Gerwen, the "Green Machine," who appeared off‑color throughout the match. Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs and an 83 average proved sufficient to outplay the Dutch legend, marking a significant milestone for the young Dutch talent. The event schedule was packed with high‑stakes matchups across multiple sessions. The afternoon round on Saturday, April 18, featured Krzysztof Ratajski defeating Mike De Decker 6‑4, Jermaine Wattimena overcoming Kevin Doets 6‑3, and Wessel Nijman besting Ryan Searle 6‑2.
The evening session saw Ross Smith dispatching Cameron Menzies 6‑3, while Gerwyn Price overcame Dave Chisnall 6‑4, and Michael van Gerwen fell 6‑2 to Gian van Veen. Additional highlights included a 6‑4 win for Price over Chris Dobey in the afternoon session, and a dramatic 6‑5 victory for Price against Martin Schindler in a last‑leg thriller that thrilled the German crowd backing their home hero. Looking ahead, the darts community is already turning its attention to the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his title. The league runs every Thursday until May, with live coverage on Sky Sports and streaming options via NOW.
Price’s latest achievement not only adds a prestigious trophy to his collection but also serves as a springboard for the upcoming Premier League fixtures. He expressed optimism about the future, stating, "Winning this gives me confidence going forward.
I have a tough game against Gian van Veen in Liverpool, but I can go there full of confidence and build on this." His words reflect a player keen to capitalize on momentum, eager to translate his European success onto the larger stage of the Premier League. Fans can stay updated with the latest darts videos, highlights, and the "Love the Darts" podcast, ensuring they never miss a moment of the sport’s excitement.
The European Darts Grand Prix has once again delivered drama, skill, and unforgettable moments, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the Euro Tour calendar.