Nathan Aspinall claims German Darts Grand Prix glory

Nathan Aspinall sealed his fourth European Tour title at the German Darts Grand Prix with an 8-5 win over Danny Noppert in the final in Munich.

Aspinall – a winner of three European Tour titles last season – opened his account for 2026 as he defied a spirited fightback from Noppert to claim the £35,000 top prize.

The Stockport star reeled off four consecutive legs from 5-4 down to triumph at the Zenith, averaging 100.3 and landing seven 180s to curtail the Dutchman’s bid for a maiden European Tour crown.

Having survived a match dart in his opening round tie against Ricardo Pietreczko on Sunday, Aspinall kicked off Easter Monday by accounting for Pietreczko’s World Cup partner Martin Schindler.

The former World Matchplay champion reeled off six straight legs from 2-0 down to dispatch a struggling Schindler, which he backed up with a battling 6-4 win against Andrew Gilding in the quarter-finals.

Aspinall then produced his performance of the weekend in the semi-finals, averaging 106.4 to demolish Kevin Doets 7-2, ending a sequence of six straight defeats against the Dutchman.

This set up a blockbuster showdown against Noppert, and Aspinall looked set to cruise to victory after following up an 11-darter with a 108 checkout to establish a 4-1 lead.

However, Noppert capitalised on his opponent’s brief doubling woes to force an unlikely turnaround, winning four straight legs of his own to seize the initiative at 5-4.

Nevertheless, Noppert’s revival was short-lived, as Aspinall responded with legs of 13, 12 and 15 darts to lead 7-5, before converting a clinical 128 checkout to cap off a brilliant display.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” admitted Aspinall. “I’ve had a lot of knockbacks this year.

“I’ve been trying to keep myself motivated and sometimes it’s hard, but nights like tonight are why we play this game.

“I’ve not got the best of records against Kevin and Danny of late, certainly Kevin.

“To get one over Kevin was great, but playing Danny in the final – he is so good!

“He’s such a fantastic dart player. Obviously I was 4-1 up, then he battled back and went 5-4 up, but I found that fighting spirit this weekend.

“I did an interview on Saturday saying I was trying to find that love for the game again, but Munich gave me the love for darts again.”

Noppert – featuring in his fourth European Tour final – reaffirmed his credentials on an action-packed Easter weekend, which began with a deciding-leg win over Ritchie Edhouse on Sunday afternoon.

The 2022 UK Open champion then conceded just five legs in a hat-trick of victories on Finals Day, dumping out Karel Sedlacek, Jonny Clayton and Krzysztof Ratajski in the process.

“I’m really happy to be in the final again,” insisted Noppert, who is closing in on a return to the world’s top ten.

“I didn’t show up in the final and Nathan was the deserved winner.

“I always believe in [winning] a title. I don’t know when, but I’m proud to reach the final.

“Of course I wanted to lift the title. There is another level I can go to, and I am pushing myself hard every time.”

Ratajski averaged 98 in accounting for Ryan Searle and Ross Smith in his run to the semi-finals, while he also ran out a convincing 6-2 winner against 2023 champion Michael Smith in the quarter-finals.

Poland’s premier player was joined in the Last Four by Dutch star Doets – who produced a host of magical moments in advancing to his maiden European Tour semi-final.

Having landed 170 checkouts in wins over Anton Ostlund and James Wade, Doets averaged 107.7 and fired in an astonishing ten 180s to edge past Dirk van Duijvenbode in an epic round three contest.

Doets then emerged victorious in another deciding-leg affair against fellow countryman Niels Zonneveld, surviving three match darts in a dramatic conclusion to proceedings.

Zonneveld was featuring in his third consecutive European Tour quarter-final, having averaged north of 103 in dumping out Premier League star Josh Rock earlier in the day.

The left-hander was joined in the last eight by Gilding, Smith and Welsh number one Clayton, who averaged 104.8 in defeating a resurgent Kim Huybrechts in one of the games of the weekend in Munich.

German Darts Grand Prix 2026 Day Three Results

Monday April 6

Afternoon Session

Last 16
Danny Noppert 6-2 Karel Sedlacek
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Kim Huybrechts
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Ross Smith
Michael Smith 6-4 Niko Springer
Josh Rock 5-6 Niels Zonneveld
Kevin Doets 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Martin Schindler
William O’Connor 1-6 Andrew Gilding

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Danny Noppert 6-1 Jonny Clayton
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Michael Smith
Niels Zonneveld 5-6 Kevin Doets
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Andrew Gilding

Semi-Finals
Danny Noppert 7-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Nathan Aspinall 7-2 Kevin Doets

Final
Nathan Aspinall 8-5 Danny Noppert