Michael Van Gerwen Claims Wonderful Second Nordic Darts Masters Crown In Copenhagen “Winning tournaments and winning games is the only medicine to try and get better”
Michael Van Gerwen Claims Wonderful Second Nordic Darts Masters Crown In Copenhagen“Winning tournaments and winning games is the only medicine to try and get better”
Michael van Gerwen stormed to his second Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters title on Saturday, defeating Luke Humphries 8-7 in a dramatic final at Forum Copenhagen.
The Dutch superstar produced a series of resilient displays throughout the weekend to secure his second World Series of Darts title of 2026, becoming the first player to win the Nordic Darts Masters on multiple occasions since the event’s inception in 2021.
After opening his campaign with a comfortable victory over Oskar Lukasiak on Friday, Van Gerwen survived a major scare against giant-killer Viktor Tingstrom in the quarter-finals.
The three-time World Champion trailed 5-3 against the Swede, who had stunned defending champion Stephen Bunting in the opening round, but responded brilliantly by winning three consecutive legs and surviving a match dart before edging through in a deciding leg.
Van Gerwen then produced one of his best performances of the weekend in the semi-finals, averaging 101.55 and landing 44% of his doubles in a 7-4 victory over Jonny Clayton to book his place in a third World Series final from just three events this year.
Awaiting him was an in-form Humphries, who made the stronger start to the showpiece and raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to a pair of clinical 12-dart legs.
Van Gerwen responded in trademark fashion, reeling off four consecutive legs to establish a 5-3 advantage, only for Humphries to hit back immediately and level the contest at five apiece.
With neither player able to gain a decisive advantage, the final went all the way to a deciding leg. Humphries missed a dart at the bullseye for victory, allowing Van Gerwen to punish the error with a composed 15-dart hold and claim an incredible 18th World Series title.
“It was a really tough game,” reflected Van Gerwen, who converted 57% of his doubles in the final.
“Luke had the chance to be 4-1 and 5-2 up and luckily I took advantage.
“My performances in the first two rounds were not good, I have to acknowledge that, but more importantly the way I bounced back and kept grafting, that helped me win today and I’m really pleased with that.
“Winning tournaments and winning games is the only medicine to try and get better. I’ve been playing this game for a long time, but I love what I do, and this gives me an amazing feeling.
“I want to do this more often. I’m going back on the practice board, I will keep investing time in myself, and I hope I can show everyone a lot more.”
Although denied the title, Humphries continued his outstanding recent form with another impressive weekend in Copenhagen.
The world number two opened his campaign by averaging a stunning 109.92 in a high-quality victory over Jeffrey de Graaf before surviving a last-leg decider against European Champion Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals.
The former World Champion then gained revenge for his recent Premier League final defeat by defeating Luke Littler in the semi-finals, averaging 105.82 and converting 50% of his doubles in a superb display.
Humphries ultimately fell agonisingly short in the final, missing a match dart for what would have been his first World Series title since the 2025 US Darts Masters. His 98.83 average in the final was remarkably the only time he averaged below a ton all weekend.
“At the moment I’m losing a lot of finals and that isn’t good enough,” admitted Humphries.
“Hopefully in the World Cup I can gain some silverware and win a tournament. It would be nice for me, that’s what I need.”
Elsewhere, Clayton booked his place in the semi-finals with a 6-3 victory over fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price, capitalising on a frustrating doubling display from his compatriot.
Littler eased past James Wade by the same scoreline in a repeat of this year’s UK Open final, producing another assured performance to reach his second World Series semi-final of the campaign.
The World Series of Darts now moves to the United States, with the US Darts Masters taking place at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York from June 25-26.
Michael Van Gerwen Claims Wonderful Second Nordic Darts Masters Crown In Copenhagen
2026 Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters
Saturday June 6
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Viktor Tingstrom
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Luke Littler 6-1 James Wade
Luke Humphries 6-5 Gian van Veen
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Jonny Clayton
Luke Humphries 7-5 Luke Littler
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8-7 Luke Humphries
