Wessel Nijman scoops maiden European Tour title at the European Darts Trophy

Wessel Nijman clinched his first European Tour title in emphatic style at the European Darts Trophy with a crushing win over Gerwyn Price in the final in Gottingen on Sunday.

Nijman came of age on a memorable weekend at the Lokhalle, dispatching a trio of Premier League stars to scoop the £35,000 top prize and catapult himself into the world’s top 20.

The Dutchman survived a major scare in his opening round tie against Cristo Reyes on Friday, before registering five consecutive ton-plus averages in a merciless march to the title.

Following a comprehensive 6-2 success against Mike De Decker on Saturday, Nijman kicked off Sunday’s play with a sensational 6-1 demolition of Gian van Veen, averaging 112.8 in the process.

That marked Nijman’s highest average on the big stage, and he maintained his sparkling form to demolish Josh Rock 6-2 in the quarter-finals, averaging 106 and wiring double 12 for a nine-darter along the way.

The 25-year-old was similarly imperious in the semi-finals, averaging 110.4 and pinning 64 per cent of his attempts at doubles in a 7-1 thrashing of compatriot Niels Zonneveld.

This set up a fascinating showdown against Price – who was bidding to follow in Michael van Gerwen’s footsteps by becoming the second player to win ten European Tour titles.

However, the Welshman was blown away by a ruthless Nijman – who delivered a doubling masterclass to power to an emphatic 8-3 victory.

The 25-year-old fired in clinical 116, 64 and 86 checkouts to race into a 3-0 lead, before producing consecutive 97 and 145 finishes to stretch his advantage to 6-1.

Nijman then defied a 14-darter from Price to move to the brink of victory with a sublime 11-darter, before rounding off a breakthrough victory with a sensational 150 checkout.

“I think there are no words to describe how I’m feeling right now,” admitted Nijman, who averaged 100.8 and hit 73 per cent of his double attempts to triumph.

“I felt so great all day long. I think you saw when I played Gian, Josh and Niels, I played so well.

“I thought to myself: ‘This could be the day you win a title’, and I’m so happy I did.”

Nijman has been one of the sport’s most prolific winners on the Players Championship circuit over the last 18 months, but is yet to transfer that success to the major televised stage.

However, the Dutchman is hoping his exploits at the Lokhalle can provide a springboard for silverware on the sport’s biggest stages, as evidenced by Luke Humphries’ trajectory over recent years.

“Since I stopped working, I’m feeling so confident,” Nijman continued.

“I’m practising more and more now; I’ve never put this many hours in on the board.

“I didn’t need to prove anything to myself. I needed to prove to other people that I can play like this on the big stage.

“I’m doing it now in a European Tour event and I hope I can do it in the biggest major events, so I can show the world that I’m capable of winning any event there is.

“The main goal was to get into the top 16 and be a seeded player in major tournaments, and I think this is a big step towards that.”

Despite missing out on the top prize in Gottingen, Price defeated Danny Noppert, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Damon Heta on Sunday to advance to his third ranking final of 2026.

Having averaged 106.7 in dispatching Joe Cullen on Saturday, the former World Champion survived a match dart in edging past Noppert in a compelling last 16 tussle.

The Welshman then ran out a 6-3 winner against Van Duijvenbode in the quarter-finals, before halting a spirited fightback from a resurgent Heta to prevail 7-5 in the semi-finals.

“It’s been a long day. I ran out of gas in the end,” admitted Price.

“I didn’t play my best in the final, but take nothing away from Wessel, he was fantastic.

“Every time I play against Wessel, he plays brilliantly against me. He’s been brilliant all year, he played fantastic darts today, but I will get my own back one day!”

Australian number one Heta overcame Darius Labanauskas, Kevin Doets and home favourite Niko Springer across the weekend, ending a winless run on the European Tour stage that stretched back to August.

Elsewhere, Zonneveld’s run to a second European Tour semi-final featured a hat-trick of victories over his fellow countrymen, headlined by a magnificent 6-2 win against Michael van Gerwen.

The left-hander also denied Jermaine Wattimena and Richard Veenstra on Finals Day, averaging 98 in both matches, while pinning 75 per cent of his attempts at doubles against Wattimena.

Veenstra – featuring in his maiden European Tour quarter-final – was joined in the last eight by Van Duijvenbode, Rock and German star Springer, who claimed the scalps of Stephen Bunting and Ross Smith on home soil.

European Darts Trophy 2026 Day Three Results

Sunday March 15

Afternoon Session

Last 16
Ryan Searle 3-6 Richard Veenstra
Niels Zonneveld 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena
Josh Rock 6-5 Chris Dobey
Gian van Veen 1-6 Wessel Nijman
Niko Springer 6-5 Ross Smith
Kevin Doets 3-6 Damon Heta
Danny Noppert 5-6 Gerwyn Price
Mensur Suljovic 1-6 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Richard Veenstra
Josh Rock 2-6 Wessel Nijman
Damon Heta 6-5 Niko Springer
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Semi-Finals
Wessel Nijman 7-1 Niels Zonneveld
Gerwyn Price 7-5 Damon Heta

Final
Wessel Nijman 8-3 Gerwyn Price