Incredible Humphries storms German Darts Grand Prix title after hammering MvG

Luke Humphries won his sixth PDC European Tour title in stunning fashion, defeating Michael van Gerwen in Monday’s NEO.bet German Darts Grand Prix final in Munich.

Humphries, a World Champion, won his first European Tour event in the German Darts Grand Prix two years ago and defended his title in front of a sell-out crowd at Zenith.

Humphries had been magnificent in his second-round win over Luke Woodhouse on Sunday, and he cruised to victory on Easter Monday with four brilliant performances.

The World Champion, who won three Premier League nights in March, made his intentions clear by opening Finals Day with a 111.63 average in his 6-2 third-round victory over Ryan Joyce.

He duplicated that scoreline in the quarter-finals against Danny Noppert, when he averaged 107 to Noppert’s 106, before defeating Premier League opponent Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the semi-finals, lowering his average to 99.93.

Humphries, on the other hand, was practically unplayable in the final, denying Van Gerwen a fourth German Darts Grand Prix victory in an 8-1 rout against the world number two, averaging 112.66 and finishing with a second 170 finish of the event after hitting eight doubles in 13 tries.

“I was just unbeatable there to be honest and I’m really, really proud of the way I’ve played this weekend,” said Humphries. “That’s the level you have to be to win nowadays.

“I felt a little bit tired against Gezzy but I kept going and that final against Michael felt effortless, it felt good.

“To put in performances like that in finals is obviously really pleasing but for me pick up another European Tour title two years on since my first is really special.

“The crowd have been absolutely amazing for me, it’s something that I’m not used to but I really appreciate it – it meant a lot.”

Van Gerwen won the first leg of the final with a 14-darter, but that was as good as it got for the Dutchman, as Humphries levelled before punishing a missed double eight with another 14-darter to break.

Humphries then took out 112 to go 3-1 up, followed by checkouts of 81 and 96 for 11-darters to put daylight between the duo, and then another 14-darter for a 6-1 lead.

A magnificent 170 checkout, matching his high finish against Woodhouse on Sunday, propelled Humphries to victory, and three missed doubles from Van Gerwen in the following set let him to claim the title.

“I think the two best players in the world were fighting it out. I know 8-1 is a bit of a flattering score but me and Michael will have many finals in the future,” added Humphries.

“The way I’ve played this weekend is the levels you have to be to win – that’s how crazy the game’s got and that’s how good you have to be to beat the likes of Michael.

“He’s been here for ten years consistently one of the best players in the world and I look up to him a lot, so to beat him in another final is fantastic.

“I just love playing him to be honest, he shows a lot of respect and it was a great final. That’s elite sport – sometimes it’s your day and today was my day.”

Van Gerwen had been attempting to win his fourth German Darts Grand Prix championship and first ranking victory since May, but was left with the £12,000 runner-up prize.

Van Gerwen Reaction 

However, he had been in excellent form on Sunday, defeating Joe Cullen with a 102 average in the last 16 and dropping only two legs against Jermaine Wattimena and Martin Schindler to reach the final.

“It’s a good time for myself to [reach] the final,” said Van Gerwen. “Of course there’s a lot of negatives but also a lot of positives and my form I think has come from far – to reach the final I think is a big positive.

“I want to say thank you to the crowd, thanks for the organisation – I think it was a good tournament and I’m pleased.

“You need to perform really well if you want to beat him, we all know that. Early doors in the game I had a few chances but my scoring wasn’t good enough and fair play to him.

“I think at this moment he is the best player and we all have to face it, we have to battle but he also knows this is not going to run forever. He’s playing some cracking darts, I have to admit that.”

Price advanced to his second consecutive European Tour semi-final in 2024, defeating Ryan Searle in a thrilling third round performance before defeating Josh Rock in a decisive leg in the quarters.

Schindler’s greatest run in a year, dating back to a European Tour semi-final in Riesa the same weekend last year, saw him defeat Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall 6-4 on Sunday before succumbing to Van Gerwen.

Wattimena defeated first seed Dave Chisnall 6-5 in the third round, while Rock and Noppert beat Premier League aces Michal Smith and Rob Cross on Sunday afternoon to go to the quarter-finals.

Results 

Josh Rock 6-4 Michael Smith

Gerwyn Price 6-0 Ryan Searle

Danny Noppert 6-2 Rob Cross

Luke Humphries 6-2 Ryan Joyce

Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Ross Smith

Martin Schindler 6-4 Chris Dobey

Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Joe Cullen

Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Dave Chisnall

 

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals

Gerwyn Price 6-5 Josh Rock

Luke Humphries 6-2 Danny Noppert

Martin Schindler 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena

 

Semi-Finals

Luke Humphries 7-3 Gerwyn Price

Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Martin Schindler

 

Final

Luke Humphries 8-1 Michael van Gerwen