Nathan Aspinall clinches maiden European Tour title at the European Darts Trophy
Nathan Aspinall secured his first European Tour title at the 2025 European Darts Trophy with an 8-4 victory over Ryan Joyce in the final in Göttingen on Sunday.
Aspinall, whose only previous European Tour final came at the German Darts Grand Prix in 2023, ended a two-year wait for a ranking title following his World Matchplay success that year.
The Stockport star produced a series of typically tenacious displays to reach the final, coming through three last-leg deciders, before powering past Joyce to scoop the £30,000 top prize.
“It felt like it was written in the stars,” admitted Aspinall.
“Ryan is a great guy and a top player and it was great to share the stage with him in the final.
“It’s been a sh*t few years but this is what I needed This will help me believe in myself and it shows I’m still good enough to compete against the top boys.
“Because of the situation I’ve been in over the last few years with the injuries and the dartitis, this is probably my proudest moment.
“The crowd were unbelievable. The support I got was amazing. This honestly means so much to me.”
Having kicked off his campaign with a last-leg victory over European Champion Ritchie Edhouse on Saturday, Aspinall came through another decider to deny Jermaine Wattimena in a Last 16 epic which saw both players average above 100.
The Premier League star then averaged 106.7 in a 6-1 hammering of world number one Luke Humphries, before edging out Gary Anderson in a thrilling semi-final – aided by an astonishing 170 checkout in the penultimate leg.
Aspinall picked up from where he left off to race into a 4-1 lead in the final, and although Joyce reduced the deficit to a solitary leg at one stage, he was punished for crucial missed doubles as the Stockport ace pulled clear to complete victory with a 98.2 average.
Joyce, like Aspinall, also broke new ground in Göttingen, defeating four televised title winners to reach his first European Tour final.
The World Grand Prix semi-finalist began his run with a whitewash win over Joe Cullen on Friday, before dumping out Belgian number one Dimitri van den Bergh.
Joyce continued his charge with hard-fought wins over world number four Rob Cross and Cameron Menzies, which he followed with a superb 7-5 success over Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals.
“I’m over the moon to get to my first European Tour final,” reflected Joyce.
“I’ve really enjoyed this weekend, and hopefully this is just the start for me and I can make many more finals.
“I was just outclassed in the final, so fair play to Nathan. He’s a terrific player and he completely outscored me tonight.”
Van Gerwen triumphed on the European Tour’s last visit to Gottingen in 2019, and the Dutchman overcame Niko Springer, Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price in his run to the semis, defying a 107 average from Price in the process.
Anderson joined Van Gerwen in the semi-finals, following up his comeback win over Luke Woodhouse with deciding-leg victories over Martin Schindler and Ross Smith on Sunday.
Former European Champion Smith made up the quarter-final line-up alongside Humphries, Menzies and Price, who averaged 110.8 in his Last 16 success against Wessel Nijman.
Victory for Aspinall sees him climb four places to eighth in the PDC Order of Merit, while Joyce climbs three places to 26th and also moves in to the provisional qualification places for the World Matchplay.
European Darts Trophy 2025 Day Three Results
Sunday March 23
Afternoon Session
Last 16
Cameron Menzies 6-5 Mike De Decker
Rob Cross 4-6 Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Wessel Nijman
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Gian van Veen
Dave Chisnall 4-6 Ross Smith
Martin Schindler 5-6 Gary Anderson
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Humphries 6-5 Michael Smith
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Cameron Menzies 3-6 Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price 4-6 Michael van Gerwen
Ross Smith 5-6 Gary Anderson
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Luke Humphries
Semi-Finals
Ryan Joyce 7-5 Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 7-6 Gary Anderson
Final
Nathan Aspinall 8-4 Ryan Joyce
