The 2025 Baltic Sea Darts Open title, with perfect poetic irony, went to The Iceman himself – Gerwyn Price – who breezed to his ninth career Euro Tour win with an 8-3 victory over Gary Anderson. Not bad for a man who supposedly plays better when booed.
Victory in Kiel saw Price finally break his two-year duck for continental glory. And with a cheeky World Series win in Poland just last weekend, it’s a timely little Euro double for the Welshman as he sets his sights on cracking the ever-stubborn World Matchplay code.
His Sunday evening at the Wunderino Arena began with the small matter of beating world number one Luke Humphries. But Price – never one to turn down a challenge – took full advantage of Humphries’ off-colour scoring to muscle through with a clinical display.
Next up was Chris Dobey – still chasing that ever-elusive first Euro Tour title. The Geordie’s knocking, but no one seems to be answering. Despite scoring well, Hollywood quickly found himself 5-1 down to a Welshman operating with Swiss watch precision. From that point, Gezzy held firm, eventually leaving Dobey to reflect on another close hit.
The final itself against Gary Anderson contained more missed doubles than a pub league fixture – but once the opening four legs were shared, Price hit the afterburners and rattled off five on the bounce. A few minutes later, the deal was done. No drama. No nonsense. Just darts.
Speaking after the win, Price said:
“I can’t put into words how much it means to win this, especially in front of such a fantastic crowd. I needed some ranking points leading up to the back end of the year, so this £30,000 definitely helps!”
Looking ahead to the Blackpool Tower looming in the distance, the Iceman talked about the prospect of finally getting his hands on the World Matchplay crown:
“I’ve lost in the final before, so now I need to lift that trophy. I won in Poland, I reached the semi-finals and final on the ProTour [last week], so to come here and win here definitely puts me in good stead ahead of the World Matchplay. I’m playing really well at the moment, but it’s all on the day. There are so many good players in the tournament, so anybody can win it.”
In the other corner, Gary Anderson was in reflective, almost philosophical, mood – for a man who treats interviews like a trip to the dentist:
“To get to the final of any tournament is great, so I’ll pat myself on the back. Gezzy has been playing really well, and he played really well throughout the whole tournament, but we’ll be back! “I’m looking forward to Blackpool now. There are so many players after that title; it’s going to be a good one!”
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Luke Humphries
Chris Dobey 6-1 Danny Noppert
James Wade 6-3 Martin Schindler
Gary Anderson 6-1 Jonny Clayton
Semi-Finals
Gerwyn Price 7-3 Chris Dobey
Gary Anderson 7-1 James Wade
Final
Gerwyn Price 8-3 Gary Anderson
—–ENDS—–
Images: Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe
