Gerwyn Price added another milestone to his career by clinching his tenth European Darts Grand Prix crown, overcoming Ross Smith 8-6 in a tightly contested final held in Sindelfingen, Germany. This triumph makes Price only the second player in the history of the PDC European Tour to amass ten or more titles, joining Michael van Gerwen in an elite group of double‑digit winners.
The match itself was a showcase of high‑quality darts from both competitors. Price surged ahead early, taking a 3-0 lead thanks to a swift double break. Smith responded in kind, breaking back twice to level the scores at 3-3, demonstrating that the final would be decided by the smallest margins.
The pivotal moment arrived in the eleventh leg when Price secured another break of throw, capitalising on Smith’s missed doubles to move ahead 6-5. From there, the Welshman maintained his composure, holding his own throws and ultimately sealing the victory on the twelfth double.
For Smith, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. The Englishman had fought his way into his fourth Euro Tour final of the season, only to fall short once again. Despite his strong performance throughout the tournament, including a hard‑earned 7-5 semi‑final win over Krzysztof Ratajski, the final proved elusive.
Smith’s path to the final featured a solid 6-4 quarter‑final victory over Nathan Aspinall and a disciplined display against Ratajski, who struggled with his doubles, missing fifteen of twenty attempts at the outer ring. Price’s victory is more than just a trophy; it is a statement of intent as he looks ahead to the Premier League Darts night in Liverpool, where he will face Gian van Veen.
Speaking after the match, Price admitted that both he and Smith may have tried a little too hard, but he welcomed the win as a confidence booster. "I’ve been on the circuit for about twelve years, and averaging a title a year isn’t terrible, but I want to improve on that," he said.
"The upcoming Premier League match will be tough, but I go in feeling confident after this performance." The tournament also featured several other notable storylines. In the semi‑finals, Price dispatched Wessel Nijman 7-4 after a strong showing that highlighted his superior scoring and finishing. The decisive break came in the eighth leg, giving Price a two‑leg cushion that Nijman could not overcome. Meanwhile, in a separate thriller, Price survived a 6-5 last‑leg battle against Germany’s Martin Schindler, with the home crowd cheering loudly for their favourite.
Price’s composure under pressure allowed him to claim the deciding double on the fifth leg of the final set. Other highlights from the event included Nijman’s historic first‑ever victory over Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch star’s performance hampered by an uncharacteristically low average and a series of missed darts. Nijman’s three breaks of throw across eight legs produced an impressive 83 average, enough to topple the former world champion.
The tournament schedule was packed with action across multiple sessions. In the afternoon of the second round, Krzysztof Ratajski edged out Mike De Decker 6-4, while Jermaine Wattimena defeated Kevin Doets 6-3.
The evening session saw Ross Smith dominate Cameron Menzies 6-3, and Price dispatch Dave Chisnall 6-4. The day concluded with a series of intense matches, including a 6-5 victory for Michael van Gerwen over Michael Unterbuchner and a 6-5 win for Martin Schindler against Damon Heta.
The event also featured a dramatic showdown between Ratajski and Danny Noppert, with the Polish Eagle prevailing 6-5 after a leg‑deciding finish. Noppert later complained that Ratajski had been adjusting his flights during the match, a claim the Polish player dismissed as a post‑match misunderstanding. Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts continues to generate excitement, with Luke Humphries defending his title. Fans can follow the competition every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, or stream the action via NOW.
The upcoming night in Liverpool promises another high‑stakes encounter as Price seeks to build on his recent success, while Smith will aim to rebound from his latest disappointment. Overall, the European Darts Grand Prix delivered a blend of thrilling finishes, breakthrough performances, and historic milestones.
Price’s tenth title not only cements his status among the sport’s elite but also sets the stage for a compelling second half of the season, as the Premier League, World Championship qualifiers, and further Euro Tour events loom on the calendar.