Sensational Wessel Nijman denies Gerwyn Price to win maiden European Tour Title “I needed to prove to other people that I can play like this on the big stage”

Wessel Nijman completed one of the most remarkable runs ever seen on the PDC European Tour to capture his first major stage title at the European Darts Trophy on Sunday in Göttingen.

The Dutchman produced a sensational weekend at the Lokhalle, defeating three Premier League stars on his way to lifting the £35,000 winner’s prize. His breakthrough triumph also propelled him into the world’s top 20 for the first time in his career.

Nijman’s title charge did not begin smoothly. In his opening match on Friday he was pushed all the way by Spain’s Cristo Reyes, surviving a major scare before eventually edging through. However, once he cleared that hurdle, the 25-year-old went on a relentless run, producing five consecutive averages of over 100 as he stormed towards the title.

His resurgence began on Saturday with a convincing 6–2 victory over Mike De Decker. Nijman then carried that momentum into Sunday’s Finals Day, where he delivered a spectacular 6–1 demolition of fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen.

During that performance, Nijman averaged an outstanding 112.87, the highest big-stage average of his career. The display immediately marked him out as the man to beat as the tournament moved into its closing stages.

Nijman continued his blistering form in the quarter-finals against Josh Rock. Averaging 106, he powered to a 6–2 victory, narrowly missing perfection after wiring double 12 while attempting a nine-darter.

The Dutch star was equally dominant in the semi-finals, where he faced compatriot Niels Zonneveld. Nijman averaged 110.41 in a commanding 7–1 victory, converting an impressive 64% of his doubles in a clinical display that secured his place in the final.

Waiting for him in the showpiece match was Welsh powerhouse Gerwyn Price, who had been chasing his tenth European Tour title, a feat that would have seen him join Michael van Gerwen as only the second player to reach that milestone.

Instead, Price was overwhelmed by Nijman’s relentless scoring and ruthless finishing. The Dutchman stormed to an emphatic 8–3 victory, producing a near-flawless display in the final.

Nijman burst out of the blocks with finishes of 116, 64 and 86 to surge into a 3–0 lead. He then produced superb checkouts of 97 and 145 to stretch the advantage further and take firm control of the match at 6–1.

Price managed to hold throw with a 14-dart leg, but Nijman responded immediately with a brilliant 11-darter to move within touching distance of victory. He sealed the title in spectacular style, producing a stunning 150 checkout that ended on double 18.

“I think there are no words to describe how I’m feeling right now,” admitted Nijman, who averaged 100.8 in the final while landing an incredible 73% of his attempts at double.

“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.”

Over the last 18 months Nijman has built a reputation as one of the most consistent winners on the floor events of the Players Championship circuit. However, success on the big stage had previously proved elusive.

The Dutchman believes his triumph in Göttingen could be the breakthrough moment that launches him into contention for the sport’s biggest televised titles, pointing to the rise of Luke Humphries as a source of inspiration.

“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 this year 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.”

Although he missed out on the title, Price produced another strong run in 2026, defeating Danny Noppert, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Damon Heta on Finals Day to reach his third ranking final of the season.

The former world champion had averaged 106.7 in his opening win against Joe Cullen on Saturday and survived a match dart during his tense last-16 victory over Noppert. He then defeated Van Duijvenbode 6–3 in the quarter-finals before overcoming a spirited comeback from Heta to win 7–5 in the semi-finals.

“It’s been a long day. I ran out of gas in the end,” conceded Price, who praised Nijman’s outstanding performance.

“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!”

Heta had enjoyed a strong weekend of his own, defeating Darius Labanauskas, Kevin Doets and German star Niko Springer to reach the semi-finals and end a run without a European Tour victory that stretched back to August.

Meanwhile, Zonneveld’s run to the semi-finals featured three victories over fellow Dutch players, including an eye-catching 6–2 win over Van Gerwen earlier in the tournament. He also defeated Jermaine Wattimena and Richard Veenstra on Finals Day.

Veenstra, who reached his first European Tour quarter-final, was joined in the last eight by Van Duijvenbode, Rock and home favourite Springer, who thrilled the German crowd by defeating Stephen Bunting and Ross Smith earlier in the event.

Following a dramatic weekend in Göttingen, the 2026 European Tour continues later this month with the Belgian Darts Open, which will take place in Wieze from March 20–22 at the Oktoberhallen.

World champion Luke Littler will be aiming to claim a third consecutive victory at the venue, while Nijman will look to continue his incredible momentum and chase back-to-back European Tour titles in Belgium.

Sensational Wessel Nijman denies Gerwyn Price to win maiden European Tour Title

2026 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Trophy

Sunday March 15

Afternoon Session

Round Three

Richard Veenstra 6-3 Ryan Searle

Niels Zonneveld 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena

Josh Rock 6-5 Chris Dobey

Wessel Nijman 6-1 Gian van Veen

Niko Springer 6-5 Ross Smith

Damon Heta 6-3 Kevin Doets

Gerwyn Price 6-5 Danny Noppert

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-1 Mensur Suljovic

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals

Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Richard Veenstra

Wessel Nijman 6-2 Josh Rock

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