Wesselmania: Nijman Claims the 2026 European Darts Trophy

High flying Dutch superstar Wessel Nijman produced a sequence of scintillating and authoritative performances to capture the European Darts Trophy in Göttingen.

The Mission Darts prodigy arrived at the Lokhalle on Sunday morning and immediately delivered a devastating exhibition of tungsten excellence, repeatedly posting averages soaring comfortably above the ton mark.

His remarkable surge through the final day culminated in victory over Gerwyn Price in the showpiece final, securing a richly deserved maiden European Tour title.Nijman made his intentions abundantly clear from the outset, romping to an emphatic triumph over his nation’s number one, Gian van Veen.

It was a breathtaking demonstration of ferocious power scoring combined with ruthlessly clinical finishing that left his compatriot momentarily bewildered. A staggering 112.87 average was the explanation behind the devastation.Into the evening session and the 25-year-old once again produced something approaching darting majesty, hammering in six maximums as he swept aside World Cup winner Josh Rock.

The Göttingen faithful were almost treated to a moment of pure perfection when Nijman narrowly wired double twelve for a nine darter. Agonisingly close, but the ultimate prize still lay within his grasp.The Dutchman sealed his place in the final with another breath-taking barrage, this time with fellow countryman and neighbourhood acquaintance Niels Zonneveld on the receiving end.

Triple Z will not be overly enamoured to have ventured so deep into the tournament only to fall close to the end. Nevertheless, he can take considerable solace from matching his best ever European Tour performance, even if he did so while staring down the barrel of an extraordinary 110.41 average.

On the opposite side of the draw, Gerwyn Price, searching for a tenth European Tour crown, endured a far more arduous passage into the evening session.

Against Danny Noppert it was a clash of elemental extremes: The Iceman versus The Freeze, and inevitably one of them had to thaw. Price seized the early initiative by claiming the opening two legs before the former UK Open champion rallied. What followed was a pulsating exchange of scoring salvos, ultimately settled by the Welshman in a dramatic deciding leg.

Statistically there was virtually nothing between them, but the only number that truly mattered to Price was the six beside his name. Another Dutch opponent awaited Price in the quarter finals.

Had Dirk van Duijvenbode matched the Welshman’s accuracy on the outer ring the contest might have been far more competitive. The Aubergenius will need no reminder where the encounter slipped away.

Having finally secured his first European Tour victory since Antwerp last August, Damon Heta appeared determined to make up for lost time. Yet his spirited resurgence ended at the hands of the former world champion.

Gezzy surged into a commanding 6-2 lead and, although the Australian fought back admirably to reduce the deficit, the damage had already been inflicted.So after three days of enthralling and often electrifying action, the stage was set. Wessel Nijman appearing in his first European Tour final against a man boasting nine such titles.

During a Players Championship run last season, Price had been virtually untouchable until encountering Nijman in the final. From the opening leg Nijman asserted emphatic control, racing into a 3-0 lead before stretching the advantage to 6-1 within minutes.

The Welshman briefly threatened resistance, but by that stage the momentum was firmly with the Dutchman. With assured composure and a masterful demonstration of double hitting precision, Nijman crossed the finishing line to secure his inaugural European Tour triumph.

With several elite names absent from the field, opportunity knocked loudly. Wessel Nijman was the man who answered the door.

To borrow a phrase from commentator Dan Dawson, Göttingen witnessed the rising of Wesselmania. For the prodigiously talented North Holland native, this could be the moment the floodgates truly open. On his day he can compete with the very finest players on the planet. Just ask Gezzy.

EUROPEAN DARTS TROPHY (ET2)

Göttingen, Germany (Sun 15th March)

ROUND THREE

Richard Veenstra 6-3 Ryan Searle

Niels Zonnerveld 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 Suljović

QUARTER-FINALS