VAN GERWEN WINS HUNGARIAN DARTS TROPHY TO END EUROPEAN TOUR DROUGHT
Michael van Gerwen ended a 16-month drought on the PDC European Tour with a sensational 8-7 win over Gian van Veen to claim the 2024 Hungarian Darts Trophy title in Budapest on Sunday night.
The Dutch superstar had claimed his 36th European Tour win in May 2023 at the Belgian Darts Trophy, and extended his remarkable record in a thrilling decider at MVM Dome.
Van Veen was searching for his maiden senior PDC title, but the youngster was left to rue one missed match dart – at the bull – before Van Gerwen took the final’s deciding leg with a 110 checkout.
Having also won a Players Championship on Wednesday, Van Gerwen has now scooped two titles in five days and £45,000 in prize money in a triumphant return to winning ways.
“This was really important – I had to battle really hard,” admitted Van Gerwen. “I was struggling in the final and Gian took advantage, but I was more battling with myself.
“The crowd gave me so much energy and to give them something back, I’m over the moon.
“I think I’m on the right way, especially with my new darts. I missed the winning feeling for a long time but now everything falls into place.
“I want to win more and my love for the game is still there. I need to make sure I keep this momentum going.”
Van Gerwen had landed a nine-darter in Saturday’s second round win over Martin Lukeman, and maintained that form with a 100 average in his third round win over Gabriel Clemens to open Finals Day.
He then saw off Josh Rock and Ross Smith – averaging 107.87 against the latter in the semi-finals – as he progressed to the decider in his hunt for a 37th European Tour success.
Van Gerwen opened the all-Dutch decider against Van Veen with a roof-raising 170 checkout, and added a second 12-darter and a break of throw to lead 3-1.
Van Veen hit back to level with a 101 finish, but missed his chance to break as Van Gerwen edged back in front, while the pair traded 13-darters to leave the three-time World Champion 5-4 up.
Van Veen then finished 110 to level and double eight to break and move ahead at 6-5, only to miss the bull as Van Gerwen broke back after the pair traded 180s.
Two misses at double 12 from Van Gerwen then allowed Van Veen in to finish 72 as he moved a leg away from victory at 7-6 – but he then wired the bull for a 118 finish for glory.
Double four saw Van Gerwen step in to level and force a deciding leg, and with the advantage of throw the world number three was first to a finish – despite a Van Veen 180 – as he converted a 110 checkout to spark joyous scenes as he lifted yet another European Tour title.
Van Veen had enjoyed a breakthrough win over Van Gerwen in the European Championship last year, but was left to rue a narrow missed bullseye in his search for a first senior title.
A former Development Tour star and the 2023 Winmau World Youth Championship runner-up, Van Veen saw off Keane Barry, Danny Noppert, Wessel Nijman and Ryan Searle in an impressive run to the Budapest final.
“I think I played a really good tournament,” said Van Veen. “I was just happy this weekend to get over the quarter-finals, and to beat Ryan in the semi-finals was an amazing bonus.
“But when you’re in the final you want to win it. Even though Michael is a fantastic player I missed some chances, and Michael was the deserved winner.
“I’m only 22 years old, and to push Michael van Gerwen this far in the final is an amazing feeling. Of course I’m disappointed.
“I missed the match dart, the 118 on the bull, I think it was really close – but Michael’s 110 finish shows his class. He’s the deserved winner today and congratulations to him.”
English duo Searle and Ross Smith were eliminated in the semi-finals in their search for European Tour glory, while Rock and Nijman were joined by Stephen Bunting and Daryl Gurney in reaching the quarter-finals.
Gurney had produced one of the event’s show-stopping moments with a sensational 167 checkout in the deciding leg of his clash with Dave Chisnall to end the Englishman’s title defence in round three.
Enthusiastic crowds at the MVM Dome had been treated to three nine-darters across the weekend – a first on the European Tour – with Van Gerwen having followed Cor Dekker in achieving perfection on Saturday.
Martin Schindler then completed the treble of nine-darters during Sunday afternoon’s third round, although the German’s bid to win a second European Tour title was ended by Bunting.
The PDC European Tour continues next weekend with the inaugural Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, which will be held from September 27-29.
The tournament is being broadcast live on Viaplay, DAZN and PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers’ websites worldwide.
2024 Hungarian Darts Trophy
Sunday September 22
Afternoon Session
Third Round
Daryl Gurney 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 6-1 Peter Wright
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Scott Williams
Gian van Veen 6-3 Danny Noppert
Ross Smith Bye (Ricardo Pietreczko withdrew)
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Martin Schindler
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Gabriel Clemens
Josh Rock 6-4 Rob Cross
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Ryan Searle 6-3 Daryl Gurney
Gian van Veen 6-2 Wessel Nijman
Ross Smith 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Josh Rock
Semi-Finals
Gian van Veen 7-5 Ryan Searle
Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Ross Smith
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8-7 Gian van Veen
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC Europe
