EURO TRIUMPH FOR PRICE
Gerwyn Price returned to winning ways on the European Tour after beating Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-7 in the Final of the 2023 European Darts Open in Leverkusen. The Iceman claims his 7th Euro Tour title at the Ostermann Arena to continue what has been a successful last few days for the Welshman, having also picked up consecutive Premier League night wins in Nottingham and Newcastle.
The World Number 4 survived match darts in the Final against the Aubergenius but hit a fantastic ton plus match saving checkout of 108, finding double tops after throwing a treble and single 17 with his first two arrows at the ever-present Winmau Blade 6 dartboard.
Price produced some sensational arrows throughout his 2 days in Germany, starting his campaign with a 6-5 win over Players Championship 8 Runner Up Krzysztof Ratajski. Price averaged a staggering 109.03 in Leverkusen, with this performance not even his best of the competition.
The Polish Eagle included the highest checkout of 129 in the 5th leg to break throw, but a 50% checkout rate and 4 180s helped the multiple Euro Tour winner advance at the Ostermann Arena.
Gerwyn produced his best darts in his Last 16 matchup with World Number 1 and reigning World Champion Michael Smith, with the Welshman claiming a 6-2-win scoring 110.49. Bully Boy only had 3 darts at double in the game, with the Iceman including the highest checkout of 136 in the 5th leg to lead 4-1, as well as finishes of 87, 99 and 104 across the 8 legs played.
Price’s win over the sports highest ranked player, earned him a Quarter Final against the Premier League leader Michael van Gerwen, with Mighty Mike coming through a 6-4 winner against compatriot Raymond van Barneveld having scored 108.22 in the Second Round.
The 38-year-old found yet another ton plus average in beating the defending European Darts Open champion in the Last 8, scoring 106.28 and hitting 3 180s in a 6-4 win over the former 3-time World Champion.
The Red Dragon player checked out at 54.55% missing just 5 darts at double, crucially breaking throw in the 5th leg before proceeding to hold his darts for the remainder of the tungsten tussle.
The Iceman moved into the Final 4 where he would face a rematch of the 2022 World Matchplay Semi Final against former UK Open champion Danny Noppert.
Price produced his fourth consecutive ton plus average in beating the Freeze 7-4 in Leverkusen, finishing yet again at a rate above 50% (53.85%) including a Shanghai 120 finish, to win the first leg of the Semi Final.
The Dutchman has made a strong start to 2023 himself having beat Simon Whitlock to win Players Championship 2 but struggled to deal with the rampant Welshman who included 5 180s and an average of 100.79 over 11 legs played.
The Iceman faced a Dutch international for the 3rd time on the Sunday, with Dirk van Duijvenbode coming through the other half of the draw, beating the likes of Josh Rock and Rob Cross to reach his first Euro Tour Final.
The Titan broke in the 13th leg to go within 1 of the title, before missing two darts at doubles 18 and 8 for the win. Price broke with his highest checkout of the Final (108) before producing a 12-dart leg to win his maiden European Darts Open trophy, finishing 91 on double 10 with his last dart in hand to claim £30,000 in Germany.
Gerwyn will return to competitive action on Thursday as the Premier League heads to Berlin for Night 9, with the Welsh darting star up against fellow Red Dragon player Peter Wright in the last Quarter Final.
By Harry Masterson
European Darts Open 2023 Results:
Last 16:
Danny Noppert (11) 6-1 Dave Chisnall (6)
Damon Heta (3) 6-4 Ryan Meikle
Gerwyn Price (10) 6-2 Michael Smith (7)
Michael van Gerwen (2) 6-2 Dimitri van den Bergh (15)
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-3 Stephen Bunting
Rob Cross (4) 6-1 William O’Connor
Dirk van Duijvenbode (8) 6-5 Ross Smith
Josh Rock (16) 6-5 Brendan Dolan
Quarter Finals:
Danny Noppert (11) 6-4 Damon Heta (3)
Gerwyn Price (10) 6-4 Michael van Gerwen (2)
Rob Cross (4) 6-5 Ricardo Pietreczko
Dirk van Duijvenbode (8) 6-3 Josh Rock (16)
Semi Finals:
Gerwyn Price (10) 7-4 Danny Noppert (11)
Dirk van Duijvenbode (8) 7-6 Rob Cross (4)
Final:
Gerwyn Price (10) 8-7 Dirk van Duijvenbode (8)