Stephen Bunting claimed his first European Tour title at the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open in Riesa on Sunday to complete a ‘dream’ week in Germany.
Bunting defeated Nathan Aspinall 8-5 in the final to lift his second trophy in four days, having won Premier League Night Nine in Berlin on Thursday.
The win, which comes almost 11 years since his European Tour debut, sees Bunting break into the top four for the first time and rise to top spot on the PDC ProTour Order of Merit.
“It feels unbelievable, it’s been a dream week for me,” said Bunting, who averaged over 101 across the tournament.
“I’m just so happy to get the win, I came in with a lot of confidence after winning my first Premier League night.
“Nathan didn’t play his best there but I’m sure we’re going to have many more battles.
“It’s been a long few days but I love coming to Germany and playing in front of these fans.”
Bunting began Finals Day with a 105.51 average in a 6-4 win over Cameron Menzies, before defeating Karel Sedlacek 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
The semi-finals saw Bunting win a deciding leg against fellow-Premier League star Luke Humphries, before averaging 100 in the final to defeat Aspinall, who was seeking back-to-back European Tour titles.
“I ran out of steam in the final but I’m proud of myself to have made back-to-back finals,” said Aspinall, who won his maiden European Tour title at last month’s European Darts Trophy.
“My arm is causing me a lot of pain so I’m going to have a rest for a few days before Thursday’s Premier League.”
The PDC ProTour season will resume with Players Championships 11-12 in Leicester on April 8-9, before the European Tour campaign continues with the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich from April 19-21.
Click here for match stats & results.
2025 Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open
Sunday April 6
Afternoon Session
Third Round
Luke Humphries 6-2 Ross Smith
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Damon Heta
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Karel Sedlacek 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Josh Rock 6-4 Andrew Gilding
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Martin Schindler 6-0 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Peter Wright 6-1 Dave Chisnall
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries 6-3 Wessel Nijman
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Karel Sedlacek
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Josh Rock
Martin Schindler 6-2 Peter Wright
Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Luke Humphries
Nathan Aspinall 7-4 Martin Schindler
Final
Stephen Bunting 8-5 Nathan Aspinall
——ENDS—–
Images: Johannes Michel/PDC Europe
