Gerwyn Price added a historic milestone to his career by clinching his tenth European title at the European Darts Grand Prix, 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 classic showcase of high‑level darts, with both competitors exchanging breaks of throw early on.
Price surged ahead to a 3‑0 lead thanks to a double break, but Smith quickly answered with two of his own, leveling the score at 3‑3. The pendulum swung back and forth until the pivotal 11th leg, where Price seized a crucial break as Smith faltered on his doubles, moving the score to 6‑5 in the Welshman’s favour. Holding his own throw thereafter, Price closed out the encounter on double 12, sealing his latest European victory.
For Smith, the defeat was a painful repeat of past near‑misses; it marked his fourth Euro Tour final loss. Despite the setback, his run to the final was impressive, highlighted by a gritty 7‑5 win over Krzysztof Ratajski in the semifinals.
Ratajski, known as the "Polish Eagle," struggled with his finishing, missing fifteen of twenty attempts at the outer ring, which allowed Smith to build a comfortable lead and ultimately progress. The tournament featured a series of memorable moments beyond the final.
In the quarter‑finals, Price overcame a resilient Wessel Nijman 7‑4, showcasing his ability to break at crucial junctures. The decisive eighth leg saw Price claim the only break of the match, giving him a two‑leg cushion that Nijman could not overcome. Earlier, Price had survived a nail‑biting 6‑5 last‑leg thriller against Germany’s Martin Schindler, rallying from a 5‑3 deficit by winning three consecutive legs and finishing on double 5. Other notable performances included a stunning upset by Nijman, who recorded his first ever victory over Michael van Gerwen.
The Dutch newcomer posted an 83 average and secured three breaks of throw across eight legs, exposing an uncharacteristically off‑day for the "Green Machine." In the earlier rounds, Smith demonstrated his own prowess, dispatching Nathan Aspinall 6‑4 in the quarter‑finals. While Aspinall never found his rhythm, Smith’s steady doubling allowed him to break early and maintain control, ultimately taking the match on double 2. Meanwhile, Ratajski edged past Danny Noppert 6‑5 in a tense leg‑decider, although the Polish star later complained about alleged flight‑clicking by his opponent—a claim Noppert dismissed as unfounded. The event’s schedule was packed with action across multiple sessions.
The afternoon round on Saturday, April 18, featured matches such as Krzysztof Ratajski’s 6‑4 win over Mike De Decker and Wessel Nijman’s 6‑2 triumph over Ryan Searle. The evening session saw Ross Smith dispatch Cameron Menzies 6‑3, while Price overcame Dave Chisnall 6‑4 to set up his path to the final.
Looking ahead, Price expressed confidence that this landmark win will serve as a springboard for future challenges. He highlighted his upcoming clash with Gian van Veen on Night 12 of the Premier League Darts in Liverpool, noting that the victory will boost his belief heading into that high‑stakes encounter. "I think Ross and I maybe tried a little too hard at times, but we both had great tournaments.
Winning this gives me confidence moving forward," Price said. "I’ve been on the PDC circuit for about twelve years, and averaging a title a year isn’t bad. I’m ready to take on Gian in Liverpool with full confidence." The Premier League Darts continues to captivate fans, with Luke Humphries defending his title and matches broadcast live on Sky Sports every Thursday until May.
Viewers can also stream the action via NOW, alongside a range of darts highlights, podcasts, and related video content. Overall, the European Darts Grand Prix delivered a compelling narrative of triumph, heartbreak, and emerging talent. Gerwyn Price’s tenth European title not only solidifies his legacy but also sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the season, as the darts world turns its attention to the Premier League and the next wave of high‑profile showdowns.